Consumer goods manufacturers are using a targeted strategy to rip off consumers with vaunted versions of self-care and home products, boasting massive profit margins on their so-called premium lines. Don’t fall for this marketing scheme. Also, after shameless industry cartel gouging forever, OTC FDA approved free market hearing aids are finally available at significantly lower prices - and some are getting great reviews.

Manufacturer Mind Games: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Hearing Aid Prices: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show

$90 cream and $10 toothpaste: Companies target big spenders


HumbleDollar: Home / Investopedia Academy


Schwab - Your U.S. Investing Education Center


Vanguard - Education / Fidelity Learning Center


Clark.com Investing & Retirement

Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment

Cell Phone Protection: These Credit Cards Will Replace Your Stolen or Damaged Phone

Should You Buy Cell Phone Insurance?


The Best Places To Buy Hearing Aids 

7 Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids of 2023

Use these security keys to lock down your computer and protect your personal info

The Strongest Protection for Your Online Accounts? This Little Key

Community.Clark.com


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Episode transcripts

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04.20.23  Hey Big Spender, Manufacturers Are Playing You  /  Lower Hearing Aid Prices At Last

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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Speaking of Fridays - working hard or hardly working? There’s a trend of workers cutting out early on Fridays, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. 


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Flexible Fridays!: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Clark.com - TIRES

The Basics of Municipal Bonds


Travel Archives - Clark Howard / 

Travel Archives - Clark Deals

We’re Working Less on Fridays, and That’s OK - The Wall Street Journal.

Guide to 529 Plans, Saving for College and Financial Aid

Rollovers From a 529 Plan to Roth IRA: What to Know

Balanced Fund: Definition, Investment Mix, Examples


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

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04.19.24   Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks  /   Flexible Fridays

Dollar stores and other discounters are reconfiguring. Clark clears media confusion surrounding closures and discusses what makes some discount retail operations more successful than others. Also - If you want job stability with a pension, this job sector wants you!

Dollar Store Closures: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Who Offers A Pension?: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Dollar stores are shutting down across America. They did this to themselves

99 Cents Only Stores to close all 371 spots in 'extremely difficult decision,' CEO says - USA TODAY

Dollar Tree Raises Max Price to $7: Which Items Will Cost More?

Clark Howard's 5 Money Tips for Couples

How to Freeze Your Child's Credit

Research shows federal workers are effective and committed, not subversive — The Conversation

[The Washington Post] The government has a workforce crisis. One of its best-kept secrets can fix it.

Portfolio Lender: Meaning, Overview, Pros and Cons


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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Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices
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04.18.24  Discounters & Dollar Stores  /  New Career Considerations

Clark updates EV deals with Tesla now in the mix. Also, what to know about digital wallet options including Paze, a new entry from the big banks.

Tesla Deals: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Digital Wallets: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

What’s wrong with Tesla?

[The Washington Post] Ready or not, self-driving semi-trucks are coming to America’s highways

Should You Take Your Pension in a Lump Sum or Monthly Payments?

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Home Page

Best Secured Credit Cards for 2024: Top Picks for Building or Repairing Credit

The Family Digital Wallet Is A $26 Billion Deposit Opportunity For Banks

NYTimes: The Youths Have Spoken: Wallets Are Lame. Go Digital.

Millions of small businesses have a new reporting requirement. Here's what to know.

Bogleheads Investing Advice and Info


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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04.17.24  EV Deals Now Include Tesla  /  The Digital Wallet Option

Often at checkouts, we’re asked to donate to a cause by rounding up our payment or contributing one dollar. How do you decide when to give? Also, as a result of giant hospital systems buying up practices, you may be charged a significant “facility fee” at doctors appointments. Be ready by asking the right question in advance. Plus, out-of-network charges are being manipulated by private equity, costing patients more.

Checkout Charity: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Medical Facility Fees: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

How To Choose the Best Charities for Your Donations

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

That spare change you donate at checkout is adding up to millions for charities

A Simple Trick To Paying Off Your Credit Card Faster

How To Open a Roth IRA


This Small U.S. City Was Just Named the Best Place to Retire With No Savings.

The Best Places to Retire in the World

Hospitals Are Adding Billions in ‘Facility’ Fees for Routine Care - The WSJ

NYTimes: In Battle Over Health Care Costs, Private Equity Plays Both Sides

NYTimes: Health Insurers’ Lucrative, Little-Known Alliance: 5 Takeaways

NYTimes: Insurers Reap Hidden Fees by Slashing Payments. You May Get the Bill.

What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA?

CarEdge | Buy, Sell, and Protect New & Used Cars - CarEdge


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
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04.16.24  Point-Of-Sale Donations  /  New & Egregious: Medical Facility Fees

Clark discusses filing an extension and what to do if you don’t have the money to pay income taxes. Also, many of us are dealing with sky-high valuations of our property, and Clark has a personal story to tell.

Filing A Tax Extension: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Property Tax Appeals: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Tax return extensions: Why you should (or shouldn't) do it and how to request one

When Are Taxes Due? Important Tax Dates in 2024

The IRS has 940,000 unclaimed tax refunds from 2020 that are about to expire. Is one of them yours?

Advice | IRS has $1 billion in 2020 tax refunds. Time is running out to collect.

AT&T Reset 7.6 Million Customers’ Passcodes After Data Breach - The WSJ

NYTimes: AT&T Resets Millions of Passcodes After Customer Records Are Leaked

Everything to Know About the Alleged AT&T Data Leak: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion

Best 529 College Savings Plans By State

What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids?

The ‘Echo Housing Boom’ is here

3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One?

How To Open a Roth IRA

Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2024


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

04.20.23 Hey Big Spender, Manufacturers Are Playing You / Lower Hearing Aid Prices At Last

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