The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also today,  what seems like a great financial deal comes with a catch. Retailers love to lure shoppers in with "No interest, no down payment, no payments for months" promotions, but these enticing deals are actually one of the most dangerous traps in modern retail finance. Clark breaks down how these psychological traps work, why falling for them is like playing with financial fire, and the exact rules you need to follow to protect your wallet and save your hard-earned money. All this and more on the November 6, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 No No No Plans: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The Home Service Clark Howard Says You Should Actually Pre-Pay Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for Cash Back and Travel Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Are Popular Again – Here’s Why You Need To Be Careful Clark Howard's Tips To Save Money on Home Internet in 2026 [The Washington Post] Don’t get caught by this zero-interest trap FCC Complaints - Federal Communications Commission Treasury, IRS begin implementing Saver's Match What Is the Saver's Credit and How Does It Work? My LED Bulbs Are Burning Out Too Fast. Am I Buying Them at the Wrong Store? Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avoid Holiday Shopping Traps & The Dangerous Car Recall You Can’t Ignore In this episode, Clark shares his simple, battle-tested trick to stop impulse spending during peak holiday shopping season – including his hands-only shopping cart rule that will save you money both online and in stores. Also, have you heard about how some cars are bursting into flames? And do you know how to check if your vehicle has any sort of recall?  With over 3.5 million vehicles currently under critical "park outside" fire risk recalls, Clark breaks down why driver response rates are dangerously low, why gas vehicles (not just EVs) are catching fire, and how ignoring this warning could cost you your home. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the November 4, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.      Mindful Shopping: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Wheels On Fire: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The Secret Perk of Abandoning Your Online Shopping Cart 4 marketing tricks to not fall for this holiday season Gadgets Are Going Premium—and Manufacturers Are Raking It In - WSJ Sub-$100 smartphones becoming a rarity as AI memory prices soar Why This Is the Worst Time of the Year To Buy an iPhone We Just Got Married. How Do We Blend Our Finances? BBB-File a Complaint Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment The Center for Auto Safety - Recall-Check  Consumer Reports: Best New SUVs and Cars for Under $30,000 How to Buy a New Car: 5 Smart Steps To Get the Best Deal The Best Car-Buying Services - Clark Howard 9 Things You Should Always Buy Used - Clark Howard When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Give Out Your Social Security Number Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts    Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Real Cost of Owning a Car & Can You Actually Retire on $500,000?Wes breaks down the cold, hard numbers on two major financial questions that could completely change your path to financial independence. First, Wes dives into "car math," looking past the monthly payment to reveal the true total cost of ownership — including depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and insurance — across popular vehicles. He breaks down the 20-year math behind buying new versus used, keeping cars for 10 years versus cycling every three to five, and even whether ridesharing is the better move for low-mileage drivers, illustrating how holding onto your ride for a decade can pocket you an extra $100,000 in compound growth. Next, Wes examines the Federal Reserve's latest net worth data and tackles a crucial retirement question: can the average American really retire on $500,000? While it is challenging, Wes maps out how the math genuinely works if you leverage three critical variables. Mentioned on the show: What Is Umbrella Insurance and Do You Need It? - Clark Howard The 6 Money Habits of People Who Become Wealthy - Clark Howard All this and more on the November 3, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.com/ask Discover the research-backed path to a happier retirement – order The Retire Sooner Method by Wes Moss today at retiresoonermethod.com We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes.  Let us know what you think in the comments! Learn more about Wes:  BOOKS BY WES MOSS   Wes Moss, CFP®  Wes Moss - Clark.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are AI Chatbots Secretly Tricking Holiday Shoppers? & Why You MUST Ask for an Itemized Hospital Bill With the holiday shopping season in full swing, millions of consumers are turning to AI shopping assistants like Meta’s Muse for the very first time to hunt down the best deals. While these chatbots speak with total authority, Clark warns against taking their recommendations as absolute fact. Beyond the retail aisles, artificial intelligence is also driving up costs in healthcare as hospital systems and health insurance providers deploy AI against one another in payment disputes. Hospitals are increasingly using AI to flag additional billable charges, leaving patients stuck with inflated balance bills when insurers refuse to cover the extra costs. To avoid paying more than you legitimately owe, Clark stresses the importance of becoming an active consumer. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the November 2, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show.  Submit your questions: Ask Clark.      Holiday Shopping: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 AI & Healthcare Costs : Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 5 Ways To Save on Holiday Shopping This Year - Clark Howard 6 Grocery Stores Cheaper Than Walmart - Clark Howard  Why Frequent Travelers Should Be Using an eSIM NYTimes: Battle of Hospital A.I. vs. Insurer A.I. Is Pushing Medical Costs Higher The Free Tool That Exposes Hidden Hospital Costs Can a Patient Advocate Help With Your Medical Bills? - Clark Howard How To Safely Use Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps - Clark Howard How To Make Your Venmo Transactions Private - Clark Howard Is a HELOC a Good Idea? The Simple Answer - Clark Howard Unclaimed Money: How To Find and Claim Missing Funds for Free Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts    Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark Stinks & #1 TV Brand People Keep the Longest Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also today,  are there TV brands worth paying extra money for? Just in time for Black Friday, new data from CNET readers reveals the TV brand people actually keep the longest – and it’s not the most expensive one on the wall.All this and more on the October 30, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 TV Purchase: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card? How and When To Cancel a Credit Card - Clark Howard Should You Max Out Your 401(k) Early in the Year? How to Max Out Your 401(k) Best Credit Cards for Restaurants and Dining in 2026 - Clark Howard Should I Contribute to a 529 Plan Only To Roll It Into a Roth IRA Later?  Backdoor Roth IRA: How High Earners Can Still Contribute Some TV Brands Aren’t Worth the Hype. CNET Readers Say These Are Should you register your new products? - Clark Howard Clark.com - Streaming TV #1 Way To Protect Yourself From Credit Card Skimmers 5 Ways To Save on Holiday Shopping This Year - Clark Howard Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices