Entrepreneurs make the world go round and as the job market transforms, many decide to start their own business, which may include holding a franchise. Clark has specific, must-do, key rules for those considering becoming a franchisee. Another big life decision - getting engaged. Turns out after the post pandemic wedding surge, engagements rates are down. This presents a marketplace opportunity for future newlyweds. 

Key Rules For Aspiring Franchisees: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Otherwise Engaged - Diamond Deals: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show

Franchise ownership: Is it right for you?

Franchise Fundamentals: Debunking five myths about buying a franchise

The Only Reason You Should Make an Improvement to Your Home

Should I Turn To Costco for a Home Renovation Project?

Best Online Will Maker: 5 Free or Cheap Options

Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions


Curb | Low-Cost, On-Demand Rides - GoCurb.com


Engagement ring sales are down sharply, according to America’s biggest jeweler

7 Places to Get the Best Deals on Lab-Created Diamonds

Is there a limit on how much my mortgage lender can make me pay into an escrow account for interest and taxes?

About ASE - Automotive Service Excellence

Retailers return fees — and how you can avoid them.


Clark.com resources

Episode transcripts

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05.18.23  Holding A Franchise - Key Rules  /  Engagement Ring Sales Promise Market Opportunity

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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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

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Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


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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

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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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04.15.24   TAX DAY:  Filing An Extension  /  Property Tax Increases

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. And today Clark revels in listener reprobation for his rank, malodorous missteps on a slew of topics - for the entire podcast. Ah the smell of it!
 
Mentioned on the show:

Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2024

Reps demand answers to U.S. Postal Service delays across state, country

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

Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2024

American Express Credit Cards

Clark Predicts Traditional 401(k)s, IRAs Will Cease To Exist Within a Decade

Target Drive Up Review: How Target Grocery Pickup Works

How Do Student Loans Work? 7 Things to Know

Follow Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Travel Cheap

5 Things To Know Before You Buy Costco Clothes

When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security?

Will Social Security Run Out?

My Social Security: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement


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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04.12.24  BONUS - A Double Edition of  Clark Stinks

Today Clark shares an important warning for anyone who has a relative or friend in a nursing home, assisted living, hospital or any other medical facility. Also - Self-checkout seemed like a great idea, until stores realized how much theft was occurring. Expect to see some changes in this area. 

Medical Facilities Payment Scheme: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Retail Self-Checkout: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Why a financial regulator is going after health care debt

3 Things to Know Before You Lease a Car

TrueCar | New & Used Cars for Sale | Car Pricing & Reviews

Electrek | EV and Tesla News, Green Energy, Ebikes, and more

Carfax Electric Car Lease Deals

Which Are The Cheapest Electric Cars To Lease?

How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance

Best Auto Insurance Companies and Some of the Worst

Best And Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies

Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

New York Post: Target to limit self-checkout to 10 items as stores trend away from the technology amid concerns of theft

New York Post: Dollar General drops self-checkout at hundreds of stores to reduce theft

5 Reasons Sam's Club Is Better Than Costco

Getting a Ton of New Credit Card Offers? Here’s What You Need To Do

Should I Freeze My Credit With Innovis, SageStream, CoreLogic and LexisNexus?


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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04.11.24  CONSUMER ALERT: Medical Facility Debt Collection  /  Self-Checkout Changes

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

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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05.18.23 Holding A Franchise - Key Rules / Engagement Ring Sales Promise Market Opportunity

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