Bad news makes news, creating general pessimism and a negative outlook on the world at large. But there’s so much good in the world that goes unheralded. Clark shares some reasons to be optimistic. Also today, colleges are competing to fill enrollments. Clark shares strategies to help you stretch every college dollar, including asking for a 4 year incentive package. 

Dare To Be Optimistic: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

College Cost Strategies: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Reasons to be optimistic in 2024 — despite everything

SmileDirectClub is shutting down. Where does that leave its customers?

[The Washington Post] Colleges are finally turning the corner on enrollment

Education Archives - Clark Howard

How To Sell A Car - Clark Howard


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02.05.24  Reason For Optimism  /  College Cost Saving Strategies

Save more and spend less is more than just a motto for money expert Clark Howard; it’s a way of life. Clark and his crew — Team Clark — are on a mission to empower people to take control of their personal finances by providing money-saving tips, consumer advice, hot deals and economic news to help everyone achieve financial freedom. Clark is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and a consumer reporter for television stations around the country. His podcast, The Clark Howard Show, receives more than one million downloads each month and is a hub for listeners to get valuable advice on-demand any time. Clark answers questions on the most popular business and consumer topics including; how to buy a cars, financing a home, retirement planning, shopping for insurance and getting the most out of your savings. Join the conversation and submit your question to www.clark.com/askclark . Clark spearheads two free resources — Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com — to encourage consumers to save more, spend less and avoid ripoffs.

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Today - you may have heard that Walmart is closing its health centers. With the failure of this healthcare option, along with the state of the clinic attempts made by Walgreens & CVS, there’s an important healthcare takeaway to be prepared for. Also, are you ready to see a driverless tractor-trailer on the road? Are they safe?

Your Primary Care Physician: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Autonomous 18 Wheelers: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

NYTimes: Walmart Is Shutting Health Centers After Plan to Expand

Walmart to close its 51 health centers, virtual care service

Walmart says it will close its 51 health centers and virtual care service

My Neighbor’s Dead Tree Is About To Fall on My House. What Do I Do?

Can I Trust the FDIC’s Recommendations on Getting Insured for More Than $250,000 at a Single Bank?

Why Are Retailers Adding an Additional $1 Charge on My Credit Card?

How Many Bank Accounts Should You Have? - Clark Howard

Self-driving trucks are ready to roll

Want To Guard Your Privacy Online? Search the Web With DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo - Get Email Protection: More Privacy, Same Inbox


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.28.24  Continuity Of Healthcare  /  Arrival: Self-Driving Trucks

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, we’ve talked about the cost of college, and how it can hamper parents saving for their own retirement. But what about supporting adult children post-college age? Clark shares some concerning stats. What’s your take? We have a popular thread on our free Clark.com Community on this topic,  linked here and we invite you to share thoughts on financially supporting adult children.


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Paying For Adult Children: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Streaming TV - Clark.com

Do I Really Need To Put Premium Gasoline in My Vehicle?

How to Get Your Kids to Step Off the Gravy Train

60% of Parents Pay Bills For Adult Children. Do You?

When it’s time to financially cut off your adult children

Clark.com Community - What is the appropriate age to wean your child off your financial support? And how much money should you give an adult child if any?


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.24.24   Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks  /   Paying For Adult Children

Clark has never been a fan of brand names, and it seems he’s been ahead of the curve. Now consumers, sick of high prices, are fighting back. New private labels are popping up and it’s great for our wallets. Also today, with short-term rental bans proliferating, Clark has a key rule for purchasing investment property. 

Private Label Store Brands Vs Big Brand Names: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Buying Investment Property: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Consumers Fed Up With Food Costs Are Ditching Big Brands

Barrons: Walmart Is the Nation’s Largest Grocer. Why It Added a New Private Label Food Brand.

Walmart Takes On Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods With New Premium Brand - WSJ

How to Save Money on Groceries: 22 Clever Ways - Clark.com

Are Airbnbs banned in Hawaii? New law seeks to crack down on short-term rentals -USA TODAY

What Is a 1031 Exchange? Know the Rules


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.23.24  Buyers Strike In The Grocery Aisle  /  Investment Property Purchase Rule

Today, an important update on Inflation Savings Bonds. Clark explains how these bonds work over time and the advantage of owning new Series I Bonds. Also, extra fees have been a topic on the show in recent years. There’s a new fee in town making a splash - Clark tells you how to avoid it. 

UPDATE - Series I Savings Bonds: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Cancellation & No-Show Fees: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Barrons: Treasury Sets New Rate of 4.28% for I Bonds as Inflation Ebbs

6 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds

The Era of ‘No-Show’ Fees Is Here—and It’s Going to Cost You - WSJ

Should You Stay With Vanguard Despite the New Fee Announcement?

NolahMattress - Is It Legal to Sell a Used Mattress? A State-by-State Guide

The Best Place To Buy a Mattress

How Can I Get Rid of My Old Mattress Cheaply?


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
Clark.com resources

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05.22.24  An Update On Series I Savings Bonds   /   No-Show Fees

Clarkonomics! Clark discusses how the US economy stacks up against the rest of the world, including concerns about our deficit. Also, Clark and Christa have a long running disagreement about a payment practice. Christa was right. Clark has changed his mind. 

Clarkonomics: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Automatic Payments: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

The US dollar is strengthening. Here’s what’s driving the rally and what it means for Americans

America’s debt problem is storing up trouble for the rest of the world

Inflation Is Stubborn. Is the Federal Budget Deficit Making It Worse?

Stubborn Inflation Could Prod Fed to Keep Rates High for Longer

With Inflation This High, Nobody Knows What a Dollar Is Worth

Where Should I Set Up My Health Savings Account (HSA)?

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Money Talk with Liz Weston: Can my credit score really be marred over $20?  

Automatic Bill Pay: How It Works and How To Do It Safely


Credit Score Guide   /   Should You Get a Store Credit Card?


Is a Self-Directed Real Estate IRA Right for Your Retirement?

Real Estate Investing: What To Know BEFORE You Start

What Should You Do if Your Insurance Claim Is Denied?


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
Clark.com resources

Episode transcripts

Community.Clark.com

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Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
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02.05.24 Reason For Optimism / College Cost Saving Strategies

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