The Clark Howard Podcast

Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Clark talks about the new rules about how to avoid losing unused money that you've set aside in your FSA. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IRS free file is the place to go for most people who have an AGI of less than $72k. And you can file your 2020 tax return today if you want - although the IRS won't start processing returns until mid-February. Clark just got his first round of vaccine. Some employers are paying employees to get vaccinated. What started with Dollar General has now expanded to other employers who are offering different amounts of money if their employees will get in line to get theirs. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark is not a fan of annuities. But they are going to be available in many 401k's this year. Clark tells you what you should do when you see them as an option in your workplace retirement account. Streaming prices have skyrocketed in recent years! Clark talks about recent changes in the streaming space and how you can find stuff to watch without breaking the bank. Ask Clark topics include budgeting advice for a college sophomore, are the payment apps like Cash App secure, work from home tax breaks, and amending a tax return. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bigger retailers like Amazon and Walmart are letting customers keep less expensive items they are returning a whole lot more these days. That's because the cost of shipping has become prohibitive. The Australian trend of buying something and paying for it in installments is now happening regularly on US websites. Most of these companies don't even charge you interest. Clark says that these installment loans are a reasonable option if it doesn't cause you to buy more than you should. Ask Clark topics include alternatives to overdraft protection, home title lock, renting a home out on Airbnb, and moving into a camper to pay off debt! 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 most people can file their taxes without paying a dime. He also talks about how eligible Americans can get the earned income tax credit. Simple bank was an excellent online bank. But it's going away. So Clark talks about which online banks are worth considering if you're looking to move your money. Ask Clark topics include issues with a home solar system, which rewards credit card is best, how to cut down on your home energy use, and whether it makes sense to add your child to your credit card as an authorized user or not. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some borrowers aren't getting their student loans forgiven by the federal government because of confusing requirements. That is not ok. Clark talks about what the government should do to improve the process for borrowers and help them get their loans forgiven in a straightforward way. Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Ask Clark topics include will all student loans be forgiven, why Clark recommends waiting to tap 529 plans until later in your college career and is it wise to invest money that you are saving to purchase a home. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The newest jobs report was not looking very good as unemployment levels rose in December. Clark talks about how to navigate employment in the current economy. Also, the folks at Clark.com have updated the work from home guide which can help you find solid employers offering remote employment. Clark is not a fan of Bitcoin. And the recent volatility in the cryptocurrency arena hasn't changed his mind. Listen to this before you put any of your money into cryptocurrencies. Ask Clark topics include getting life insurance as a single parent, companies forcing you to choose auto bill pay, saving up for a new car, and what to consider when building a new home. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robocalls are the worst! And it feels like we're getting bombarded with them more frequently now. Clark talks about how to curb those annoying calls to bring more zen back into your day. Many appliances still remain in short supply because of factory shutdowns due to Covid. That means that if you are in search of an appliance it'll be harder to find a deal on the one you want. But Clark has some tips to help you out! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There will be some major changes to the FAFSA for the upcoming school year and parents are going to be thankful for them. Clark talks about the elimination of the expected family contribution and what that means when you are applying for financial aid for your child. Parents are taking on way too much debt for their kid's higher education! PLUS loans are sabotaging their retirement. Clark discusses what you should do instead of taking out those toxic loans. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark believes that if you take some important steps to cut subscriptions & shop around for cheaper alternatives that you can save at least $1,000 this year. For more info on which bills you need to look into and how to save the big bucks, be sure to check out this episode. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New minimum wage laws are going into effect across the country. Clark talks about where the increases are happening and what affect they will have in addition to how his views have changed on the topic over the years. Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at 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

New car prices have shot through the roof in recent years! Clark talks about how to trim your transportation budget so that you can find more financial margin in your life. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a new spot on the IRS website where you can check the status of your stimulus payment if you haven't received it yet. Clark also talks about how the $300 federal supplement for unemployment insurance will work and how long you'll be receiving it. Also, car theft is on the rise! Clark tells you how to protect yourself and your vehicle. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Housing is typically the biggest line item in a person's budget. Finding ways to cut costs there will have an enormous impact! Clark gives you his best ideas. Clark also takes your questions about housing on this episode. You can submit a question for the show at Clark.com/ask. 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 people are setting New Year's resolutions for themselves. And many of you want to handle your money better in 2021. But that's only possible if you tackle those goals the right way. Clark talks about how to actually get better with your money this year instead of just hoping that you will. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haven't spent all your FSA dollars? Clark talks about what over the counter items you can purchase in order to use that money up. The purpose of saving for your future is to give you more control and freedom over your future. Research suggests that people who prepare and have a plan are the ones that end up in the best position in retirement. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consumer Reports has just released its list of the best used cars under $5k. Clark talks about which cars you should be leaning towards when looking for an inexpensive use vehicle. There should be a great availability of over the counter hearing aids. But sadly, options are currently limited. Clark talks about how to get the most bang for your buck when purchasing hearing aids in the future. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are some newer and fancier dollar stores that Clark wants to make sure you know about. Exercise doesn't have to take an hour or longer every day. A new study finds that just 11 minutes of exercise daily can have a huge impact in your life! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recycling isn't working out very well right now. There have been some proposals floated that could make recycling more viable though. HP will no longer honor its "free ink for life" plan. Subscribers are already being vocal with their criticism. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a new list of the most reliable used cars. Clark talks about which makes and models make the most sense for your wallet. Gift cards are often a bad purchase. Just give cash instead! But gift cards are even worse buy right now and Clark tells you why. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents tend to not know when their kids are using tobacco and e-cigarettes. That's not good! Is the government tracking your location? There's evidence that they may be and that is understandably worrisome to many Americans. 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 benefits of each. Curbside pickup is actually the perfect in-between! Many companies are slashing salaries if you move opt to move elsewhere. 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

Clark is not a fan of the new Comcast data caps. He discusses the price you might find yourself paying to the internet giant if you use too much data in your home. Many automakers now offer built-in technology to monitor how your child is driving. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some items are made specifically for factory outlet stores. And often those items are of inferior quality. Clark gives you the scoop on how to tell whether the item was made specifically for the factory outlet store or not. Tough times impact us in massive ways. And we've seen a generation of savers formed because of the difficulties that Covid has caused. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renting an apartment has changed because of Covid. Clark talks about how to rent an apartment - and score a good deal - in the world of virtual visiting a future place to live. The newest ACSI reveals which banks are doing a great job meeting customer needs and which ones aren't. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about the transition to clean energy in the United States. It's been difficult on the oil industry and likely will become even more difficult in the coming years as sustainable energy like wind and solar are getting cheaper and cheaper. Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at 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 talks about which delivery services pay gig workers the best and how gig workers can maximize their income by downloading the Gridwise app. Consumers are leaving high-cost mutual funds in favor of funds with lower fees. If you haven't checked to see what the fee structure is like in your investment portfolio, now is the time to check! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney+ is looking to add more content while simultaneously raising prices. If you're a Disney+ subscriber you'll be paying $1 more every month starting in March 2021. Don't ever buy a timeshare. Rent one instead! Koala is a website where you can rent someone else's timeshare. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about some of the best sales happening 10 days ahead of Christmas. He also talks about issues with shipping and getting what you order before Christmas. Homeland security issued a warning to federal agencies about using certain software that has been hacked. Clark talks about the importance of having cash on hand in case of a hack that affects the US financial system. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you need healthcare in 2021, the deadline to sign up at Healthcare.gov is Tuesday. Clark discusses how to assess the plans on the government's website and find the right plan for you and your family. Vaccine scams are proliferating as the FDA has approved the use of Pfizer's vaccine. Here's what you need 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

Store credit cards can be poison for your wallet. Clark tells you the downsides to carrying one and why it isn't a good idea to sign up for most store credit cards. 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

Half of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings account instead of workplace or personal retirement plan. That's not good! GM is making a huge pivot to produce a massive number of electric vehicles in the future. And the massive car company just opened factory ZERO just outside of Detroit to help accelerate these plans. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The IRS has a major backlog of unprocessed tax returns. Many people who filed paper returns are still awaiting a refund. If you are planning to book travel soon, you might want to purchase travel insurance. Clark tells you how to shop and what to look for in a policy. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a shipping logjam and it doesn't bode well for getting the Christmas presents you've ordered at your doorstep on time. Colleges across the country are having to cut costs in a big way - including letting longtime professors go. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers are targeting Amazon Prime members specifically in a new scam that scare you into handing over sensitive personal information. There's a little more clarity for people who have federal student loans. Payments will now be delayed through January 2021. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consumer Reports has detailed some of the problems with the Tesla Model S. 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 recent article in Wired detailed a solar installation in California. Clark gives his thoughts on whether installing solar at your house makes sense and what a typical payback period can look like. Divvy is a company that has had some issues since it started doing rent to own a few years ago. But Clark thinks that it can make sense for you as an avenue to home ownership if you do your due diligence Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark's wife is going to fly on a Delta plane because of the dedication to keeping its customers safe. If you are willing to get on a plane, you might want to prioritize flying on an airline that is keeping health safety top of mind. State and local governments are having financial troubles. Clark talks about the difficulties that have arisen due to the pandemic and how these municipalities will be looking to cut costs. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about how to make your generosity go even further by giving to charities that are doing the most good. Vaccine progress has been good news on so many levels. And it's causing Americans to loosens the purse strings and spend more freely. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark talks about the best deals that are happening today. In particular, the clothing sector is seeing some steep sales! There are more Holiday scams that you need to be aware of this year. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hulu is charging more for its live TV streaming service. The price hikes have been coming fast and furious. Clark discusses how you should think about your TV streaming options. Emails and ads abound right now touting different "Trumpcare" plans. But this is a marketing ploy that you should avoid because many of these offers aren't selling you real insurance. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chocolate and workout equipment are being consumed in a major way right now. And Peloton's stock has soared over the past six months. Looking for ways to cut your spending right now? Clark talks about the most painless ways to trim your budget in order to increase your savings. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark tells the story of his credit card number being stolen and how quickly things got resolved. Americans have been saving so much money recently. This is great news. And there's a lot of pent up spending demand that we're likely to see in 2021. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many major retailers are ramping up their Covid policies for shoppers as coronavirus cases spike across much of the country. High-tech digital license plates are the future. They've been in Arizona and California since 2019. But they will be coming to more states soon. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Advertisers want the ability to target audiences better during streaming. But that comes with a privacy tradeoff. Companies are finding creative ways to keep their employees engaged and to prevent burnout during the pandemic. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

General Motors is set to offer insurance to customers that will provide lower rates based on safer driving. 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

Apple will be reducing fees for smaller companies on its app store. But courts are still likely to weigh in on Apple's practice of taking a cut of sales from developers. Black Friday has been more of a lengthy season than a long weekend this year. But the best deals are just around the corner. Clark discusses how to make sure you score the discounts this time of year. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark gives the details on Amazon's new online pharmacy. Some of the pricing is still pretty opaque but the launch is already having a massive impact on the industry. The Boeing Max will fly again. The FAA has cleared its return to the skies. Clark talks about how safe it will be to fly on the Boeing Max now. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People are receiving unexpected bills just for getting a Covid test. Clark tells you how to battle that bill. Google Photos has announced that they are limiting free photo storage for its users. Clark gives the details along with some thoughts on how to store your photos for cheap or free. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preliminary data from the Moderna trials show that it is more than 94% effective. Picking the right health plan during open enrollment is crucial. Picking the wrong one could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the upcoming year. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices