The Clark Howard Podcast

Debt collectors will now be allowed to contact you via social media. Clark tells you how to protect yourself in this new era of debt collector access. The HSA is still one of the greatest retirement tools around. But most people don't use it as a way to save and invest for the long-term. Clark discusses how you can use an HSA effectively if you have access to one. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People are spending meaningful amounts of money to renovate their homes now. Clark talks about how to proceed and what to look for when you're vetting contractors. Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark discusses the tax bracket changes for 2020 and how that impacts the way you handle your money. We're in a tough position in our country. Tens of millions of Americans face eviction because of Covid's impact. Clark talks about important ways to proceed with your landlord if you're having a tough time paying rent. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stock market is having a tough day. Clark talks about how investors are seeing the increase in Covid cases - and how you should approach your investments right now. T-Mobile has a new streaming offering. It's not bad but there are better options out there. Clark also talks about the incredibly cheap Boost Mobile cell phone plans. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the absence of political action, people with federal student loans will have to start paying on those loans again in January. Clark tells you what to do if you can't afford those loans though. Clark talks about where Americans are allowed to travel right now and what testing is required in order to visit those destinations. He also discusses what's going on with middle seats on the major airlines. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What will happen to oil and gas as renewables continue to get cheaper and more robust? Clark gives his thoughts. Americans working from home are running into data caps that limit their ability to get their work done. Or do anything on the internet! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Here's a link to the SBA form in order to get forgiveness for your PPP loan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get closer to the end of the year, make sure that you don't leave any vacation days on the table! Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Open enrollment starts in early November. Clark tells you what you need to know before open enrollment begins. If you are buying a new cell phone and want top dollar for your old one, make sure you listen to this! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scam emails are flooding inboxes as we draw nearer to the election. The FBI has issued a warning and Clark tells you what to watch out for. Amazon Prime day was a raging success for the company. Clark also talks about the incredible amount of fake reviews on websites of companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The major tech companies are in hot water in Washington D.C. right now. Clark talks about what's happening and why the lawsuit against Google is making waves. Covid has obviously had a major impact on the American economy. Clark discusses where things currently stand. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some jobs are actually in high demand right now. Clark discusses where the opportunities are. The Boeing Max will start making flights again in December. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walmart has just announced its Black Friday plans. Clark talks about where the best deals will be and how Black Friday will shake out this year. Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small businesses are more optimistic. Some of this is thanks to the reality on the ground of increased foot traffic and higher sales. This is good new for the economic recovery. Rents are going up in the suburbs and rents are going down in cities. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Delta Airlines just announced that they lost over $5 billion in Q3. The travel recovery could take a while and Clark discusses how the difficulty in the travel space affects you and your wallet. Is your brokerage account at risk? Clark talks about what you can do to keep your investing dollars safe. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How should the upcoming election change your investments? Clark discusses that and the low rates that savers are currently enduring. Clark discusses the tax breaks you might qualify for if you've been working from home for most of 2020. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing app Robinhood has acknowledged that some of its customers may have been targeted by hackers. The SBA is making the forgiveness process for smaller PPP loans easier. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark has discussed grocery delivery and curbside pickups, but Consumer Reports has a new review of meal delivery kits that's worth sharing. While they can get expensive, it might be a better choice than takeout. Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Southwest asks employees to accept pay cuts to avoid furloughs. The airlines and the travel industry as a whole are having a really hard time anticipating demand as consumers wait until the last minute to book airfare. Different apps now allow Americans access to their paychecks ahead of time. But these apps are a bad idea and can cause you to live not just paycheck to paycheck, but day to day. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark discusses the importance of getting a flu shot - especially given the fact that the pandemic is still wreaking havoc in our country. What is the timeline in order to get the best deals while you are doing your holiday shopping? Clark breaks down which dates will see the lowest prices on a range of items that might be on your list. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verizon has a new offering that will help rural folks get decent internet speeds in their home. Clark also mentions a fantastic new unlimited cell phone plan from Metro by T-Mobile. The economic recovery is hitting a stall. Clark talks about that and how Trump's Covid diagnosis will affect the economy as a whole. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roughly 80% of Americans have less purchasing power now than they did a decade ago. This is not good news! Clark discusses the significance of what this new Census bureau report means. The X1 credit card looks at your income to decide whether or not you qualify, not your credit score. This is helpful for a lot of people seeking credit. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small business owners that took out PPP loans have been worried about how forgiveness for those loans will work. The Treasury department finally announced that they will begin processing those forgiveness applications starting either this week or next. Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report finds that teachers are paid less than non-teacher, college-educated workers. That's a problem. Fake debt collectors are on the rise. Clark tells you what to watch out for. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The airlines are set to lay off tens of thousands of employees as government bailout funds run dry and the travel industry remains disrupted. Disney has also announced that it is laying off 28,00 of its employees. Clark talks about the healthcare options that Americans have if they do lose their job. It's incredibly important to go to Healthcare.gov to see your options. The subsidies available to you could make a healthcare plan incredibly cheap or even free for you and your family. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supermarkets are stocking up before Fall hits in case there's a surge in Covid cases. Apartment vacancies are up. So there's more room for you to negotiate concessions with your landlord. But to get the best deal, you have to be willing to walk. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans are actually less divided than our elected officials seem to be. They tend to agree on fiscal policy like the minimum wage and affordable child care. Amazon has announced that Prime Day will be on October 13 & 14. The Christmas deals appear poised to come in October and November this year. Amazon has also launched a camera with a drone to monitor your home. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tesla is leading the charge towards cheaper batteries. And that is going to have a major impact on consumer energy bills going forward. Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fewer Americans are listing their homes for sale. And as interest rates continue to remain low, that is driving up home prices. Artificial intelligence is changing how we react after getting into a car accident. These tech developments will also majorly help adjusters do their work in a more efficient manner. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new rule gives employers more leeway when it comes to how they classify employees. Clark discusses the pros and cons of this move as well as how employers should treat non salaried employees. If you are willing to travel right now, Southwest has an offer that's pretty hard to refuse. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark discusses how to handle overwhelming hospital bills. It's absolutely crucial not to pay that bill with a credit card. There are some positive signs about how small businesses have survived are faring. There is likely still some need for further stimulus to keep businesses afloat. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a federal moratorium on evicting tenants who can't pay right now. Clark discusses free software that is available to help you fight back if your landlord is wrongfully trying to evict you. Walmart is raising pay for 165,000 workers. They are creating new leadership roles for many employees and a new structure for how they pay employees as well. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of Americans opt to take social security when they are first eligible. But this can cost you a whole lot of money in the long run. Clark discusses why it is so important to delay taking social security if that is possible in your life. Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Telemedicine is taking off right now. And it's actually better for your health, too. There are all sorts of positive signs in the job market. Clark talks about Hobby Lobby raising its minimum wage to $17 an hour, new job training programs, and more. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stats show that Americans who have been able to work from home during the pandemic would love to be able to continue doing so when things get back to normal. But a large number of employers are ready to bring their employees back into the office. Football is Clark's favorite sport. And he is so glad that it's back! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Americans who can are saving more of their income. This bodes well as the economy continues to recover as the spenders will be able to meaningfully support that recovery. USPS delays are having a real impact on the delivery of important medications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about what has led to the wildfires in California and what policies need to be implemented to avoid such devastation in the future. Link for a listener - Marketwatch's Best Places to Retire tool. Verizon just bought Tracfone. This will intensify the price cutting in the industry. That's great news for consumers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about how the economy has changed since Covid-19 became a reality in our lives. And his wife Lane joins him to pose your questions - all of which are related to how you should navigate the financial waters given the current state of things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Retailers are likely to start offering bargains earlier than normal this year. You could find some great bargains in October instead of having to wait until November! There is a used car shortage in our country which is pushing up the value of older vehicles. If you have an older car sitting around that you don't need, consider selling it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you need unlimited data, Mint Mobile just launched one of the best plans that is pretty inexpensive - only $30 a month when you pay up front. Check it out on their website. FedEx is going on a hiring spree ahead of the holidays. If you are looking for work, check out the job postings from FedEx. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stock market has started to experience some volatility - particularly in the tech sector. Clark talks about how that should impact how you invest your money. If you cannot afford to pay your rent right now, you can avoid eviction by filling out this CDC form. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NHTSA has released a new free app that makes it easy for consumers to check for any outstanding recalls on their vehicle. Dollar store chains are starting to get more in-store traffic as a large segment of hurting consumers turn there for lower prices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walmart Plus just launched with a $98 annual fee in an attempt to take market share from Amazon. The perks will include fast shipping on a lot of items - many of which you can get the same day you place the order! Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple will be releasing 5G iPhones in the Fall. Don't buy an iPhone until those are released! Clark talks about the states that are having the most financial difficulty right now and how that will affect you. Taxes could go up and services could get cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal reserve has signaled that it won't do much to reign in inflation right now. Clark discusses what that means for your money in the near future. Savers, in particular, are getting their clocks cleaned. Some companies are putting employees under a gag order if they have symptoms of Covid. Clark is not in favor of companies adopting these sorts of policies. They are unsafe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about how the executive orders are rolling out. And will there be another stimulus package? It's likely. But it's hard to know when Congress will come to an agreement. Delta, Alaska, and American Airlines join United in dropping airline change fees & a flying car was tested successfully in Japan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark was diagnosed with prostate cancer over a decade ago. But he's in great health still. Staying healthy is important for so many reasons, and your eating habits are a major contributor to your overall health. Check out Clark.com for more info on Clark's work with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. United Airlines is permanently getting rid of ticket-change fees. This is great news. Those fees are unnecessary. They also cause consumers a lot of frustration and cost them a lot of money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Insurance companies are raking in the profit right now as crime is down and people are driving less. That makes this an excellent time for you to shop with multliple companies in order to score a better rate. You could save a LOT of money every year! Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new refi fee that Clark talked about last week is being postponed until December. And borrowers who are refinancing smaller loans won't see it at all! With an influx of Covid scams, freezing your credit is more important than ever. If you haven't frozen your credit, do it soon. It's incredibly quick and free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FloodFactor.com is a great website that can help you assess your home's flood risk. And if you are at a higher risk, you can get flood insurance pretty inexpensively! There's a new way to get money to pay your tuition at for-profit schools. And no surprise, it's a rip-off too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IRS will stop sending tax notices for now until it clears through a backlog of mailed in returns. Charles Schwab has a new tool to help with retirement planning. In about 15 minutes you can generate a helpful retirement plan based on your own goals and the probability of funding those goals based on your age and current asset allocation. You can check out the new free tool called Schwab Plan here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices