The membership business model has overtaken retailers large and small. Clark compares offerings from Target, Walmart, Amazon and 2 warehouse clubs, with a directive for consumers. Also, as if timeshares aren’t bad enough, organized crime is now getting into the resale scam game. 

Retail Memberships: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Cartels Target Timeshares: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Barrons: Delivery Is Retail’s New Game. How the Players Stack Up.

Target Is Rebranding Its Credit Card Program: What You Should Know

Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's Wholesale: Which Is Best?

How To Manage Your Monthly Subscriptions To Save Money

Parent PLUS loans can be a debt trap. Here's a loophole

Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)

Annual Updates to the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan Formula for 2023-2024 

Income-Driven Repayment Plans

What Are the Tax Consequences of Debt Settlement?

NYTimes: A Mexican Drug Cartel’s New Target? Seniors and Their Timeshares

Clark.com - Timeshares

How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare

5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room

How To Plan a Trip: Clark's Best Travel Tips To Save Money

﻿
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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04.10.24  Retail Membership Considerations  /  Timeshare Scams Get Worse

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.

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Entrepreneurship

How do you feel about targeted ads following you around online? Companies are dreaming up new ways to track us - even when we have our TV show paused! Also, job prospects are great for teens this spring and summer. Now is the perfect time for young people to enter the workforce.  

Targeted Ads Ubiquitous: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Teen Jobs: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Google Pledges to Destroy Browsing Data to Settle ‘Incognito’ Lawsuit

Why Walmart bought TV-maker Vizio for $2.3 billion - Axios


Is that ad following you around the internet creepy or kind of cool? 

Roku Explores an Insidious Way to Serve up Commercials Via Idle HDMI Inputs | Sound & Vision 

Roku forcing 2-factor authentication after 2 breaches of 600K accounts

Fighting back against harmful voice cloning

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE BROKER COMMISSIONS ANTITRUST SETTLEMENTS

If you recently sold your home, you might get part of your realtor fee back

NAR settlement: Here's what to know about payouts for commission lawsuits

Teens Are Spending Less This Year. Where Their Allowances Are Going.

CPI Inflation Calculator  -  Value of $1.60 from 1971 to 2024

Charles Schwab Review 2023: Pros & Cons

No Surprises Act

Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips


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

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

05.06.24  Digital Existence Is Tracked  /  Teen Job Opportunity Abounds

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, why buying a gift card is now tantamount to lighting a $20 bill on fire. 


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Gift Card Draining: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Military and Veterans Guide: Free Resources for Your Finances

How To Protect Your Home From Being Stolen by Squatters

Florida lawmakers pass bill to revoke squatters' rights

How to Lower Your Property Taxes in 4 Easy Steps

Chinese Organized Crime’s Latest U.S. Target: Gift Cards

What Is a CD Ladder and When Is It a Good Idea?

BBB-File a Complaint


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

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

05.03.24  Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks  /   Scam Alert: Rampant Gift Card Fraud

Today Clark’s talking about scams and how to avoid them! First, a special warning if you sell or buy items on Facebook marketplace. Later, AI has enabled crooks to clone voices. This is a huge problem, enabling criminals to trick people into thinking they are talking to a relative, or even a boss. What to look out for so you don’t get ripped off.   

Facebook Marketplace Scams: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Voice Cloning Cons: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Facebook Marketplace Scams: Everything You Need to Know

Banks and Users Warn of Scammers on Facebook Marketplace

4 Common Scams on Cash App, Venmo and Zelle (and How To Avoid Them!)

Safer Ways To Send Money

Pirate Ship Review: Pros & Cons of This Cheap Shipping Service

Number of 401(k) ‘millionaires’ jumped 41% last year, says Fidelity


How To Open a Roth IRA / What Are Index Funds?


Fighting back against harmful voice cloning

What's the Best Way To Donate to a Charity?

BBB-File a Complaint

How To Dispute a Charge on Your Credit Card

Where To Put Your Cash When You’re Saving for a Purchase in Less Than 5 Years


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

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

05.02.24  SCAM Alerts:  Facebook Marketplace Fraud & Voice Cloning Con Jobs

You have the power to lower your power bills this summer. Clark offers several ways to reduce summer cooling costs. Also, get notable savings with Visible’s new annual plans, plus new disclosures through broadband ‘nutrition’ labels.  

Save On AC This Summer: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Visible Deals & New Broadband Labeling: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

How To Save Money on Utilities- clark.com

6 Smart Ways to Cut Your Utility Bills

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Similarities and Differences

Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard

Company and Rating Search - Best's Credit Rating - AM Best

Visible Announces New Annual Plans: Save up to $145/Year

Visible Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

Clark.com - CELL PHONES

Broadband ‘nutrition’ labels are coming – here’s what you need to know

FCC rolls out mandatory ‘nutrition labels’ for internet providers’ plans

Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car?

What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work?

Fidelity - Health Savings Account | HSA Investment Options


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

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

05.01.24  SAVE MORE On Summer AC Costs AND Cell Phone Service

As promised, today Clark shares his crazy (like a fox!) idea on how to fix the housing crisis.  Also - a warning about buying a code-share airline ticket. Know how code-share tickets work, and often, don’t work. 

Clark’s Housing Market Fix: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Code-Share Airline Tickets: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Why many homeowners feel trapped by low-rate mortgages

[The Washington Post] Inflation keeps coming in hot, likely delaying interest rate cuts

Biden’s manufacturing industry is expanding. That could be bad for inflation

3 Facts That Help Explain a Confusing Economic Moment

10 Best New Products at Costco in April

10 Secrets All Shoppers Need To Know About Costco

Avoid the #1 Mistake That Car Buyers Make

Simple vs. Compound Interest: Definition and Formulas

Clark.com - How To Buy a Used Car

How To Open a Roth IRA

Help! Air Canada Ruined Our Trip to Ireland but Won’t Take the Blame.

Codeshare Flights Explained - NerdWallet

Follow Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Travel Cheap

Hopper: Book Travel on Mobile


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

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

04.10.24 Retail Membership Considerations / Timeshare Scams Get Worse

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