The Clark Howard Podcast

Rapid Fire Q&A: Financial Advisor Fees, Direct Indexing Traps, & 30-Year Treasury Yields Welcome to another Rapid Fire Thursday edition of Ask an Advisor with Wes Moss! Today, Wes opens up the listener mailbag to answer several direct questions on wealth management, investment strategies, and retirement planning. Wes covers everything from when financial advisor AUM fees should taper down to the hidden tax traps of Direct Indexing, utilizing 30-year Treasuries, and understanding a major loop-hole in the Rule of 55! Mentioned on the show: ⁠ How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor⁠  /  ⁠Financial Advisor Costs⁠ Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2026 - Clark Howard What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard The Biggest Investing Lesson From Trump Accounts - Clark Howard WSJ - Opinion: For Investors and Savers, TINA Is Giving Way to TARA⁠ The Overlooked 'Rule of 55' Could Unlock an Earlier Retirement⁠  All this and more on the October 29, 2026, Ask an Advisor “Rapid Fire” 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

Airline Consumer Protections Are Shrinking & Hidden Costs of Caregiving With the holiday travel season just around the corner, big changes are underway that could impact your upcoming trips. The Department of Transportation is re-interpreting consumer protections for air passengers. Since airlines won’t be eager to step up when they make a mistake, you need to know how to advocate for yourself, and navigate airline customer service. Also, another urgent conversation families need to have involves the hidden financial costs of caregiving. Nearly 70% of people will require some level of care in their lifetime. With the erosion of long-term care insurance, more families are impacted by caregiving challenges, forcing 56% of caregiving retirees to leave the workforce earlier than planned. Don’t wait until a crisis hits or until your parents are well into their 60s or 70s to talk about the future. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the October 28, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.      Passenger Rights Eroded: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Prepare For Caregiving Challenges: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark Howard's Strategy for Spending Credit Card Rewards ⁠ Follow Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Travel Cheap⁠  /  SkyScanner.com⁠ Booked a Flight? This New Tool Will Tell You When the Price Drops ⁠Points Path Review: This Free Tool Makes Using Travel Points Much Easier⁠ ⁠Clark Howard’s Secrets to Beating Sky-High Airfares and New Hidden Fees⁠ How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager - Clark Howard What Is Disability Insurance and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard The Aging Parents Checklist: Money, Scams, Estate Plans and Final Wishes How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor  /  Financial Advisor Costs When Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Instead of Investing?  /   Calculator 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

Is Your Brokerage Account Safe from AI? & Market Myths Debunked In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down what you need to know about AI security and seasonal stock market lore. First, Wes addresses the rising safety concerns surrounding automated AI agents accessing brokerage accounts, sharing his two golden rules for protecting your money in a digital world. Then, he separates hype from reality when it comes to famous Wall Street legends like "Scary October," "Sell in May and Go Away," and the January Barometer, offering practical advice on how investors should actually navigate these seasonal market trends. Mentioned on the show: Why You Need To Lock Your Brokerage Account Today The New AI Voice Scam Threatening Your Life Savings — and How to Protect Yourself AI Agents Trading Stocks While You Sleep? Charles Schwab’s CEO Is Skeptical The Overlooked 'Rule of 55' Could Unlock an Earlier Retirement  All this and more on the October 27, 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

Re-Thinking Retirement: A Smarter Way To Phase Down & Best Places To Buy Eyeglasses Retirement is supposed to be the ultimate reward after decades of hard work, but for many, the reality doesn’t match the expectation. Whether it’s financial pressure from inflation and living expenses or simply missing the routine, activity, and social connections of a job, going cold turkey from 40 hours a week to zero isn't working for everyone. Clark breaks down why traditional retirement might need a rethink and explains why he’s a huge fan of "phased retirement." Also, Clark takes on the notoriously overpriced eyewear industry. From $800 price tags at big cartel chains down to $80 options for essentially the same pair, the price gap is staggering. We cover the latest findings on where to get the absolute best value on prescription glasses and contact lenses. Clark shares where you should – and should never – buy your next pair so you can strike the perfect balance between price, quality, and service. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the October 26, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.    Tiered Retirement: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Prescription Glasses & Contacts: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Charles Schwab Review: Pros & Cons - Clark Howard SIM Card Swapping: The Dangerous Cell Phone Scam Everyone Needs To Know About How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion BBB-File a Complaint Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The Best Places To Buy Eyeglasses The Cheapest Places To Buy Contact Lenses Report: Top Vehicles Most Likely To Last 250,000 Miles Mortgage Recast: What It Is, How It Works Mortgage Recast Calculator - Clark Howard Is a HELOC a Good Idea? The Simple Answer - 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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also,   - how do we teach our kids and young adults about money? Managing money was simple just a few decades ago: cash was king, consumer choices were limited, and savings accounts earned fixed interest rates. Today, we live in the most over-stored country in the world, surrounded by endless retail options, online shopping, and digital payment methods like Venmo and Cash App. Money has become frictionless and abstract, making it easier than ever for young people to fall into financial traps like recurring subscriptions and impulse spending. Because the modern financial world is vastly more complex, parents can no longer rely on kids picking up smart money habits by osmosis – active teaching while they are still under your roof is essential, as Clark explains. All this and more on the October 23, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Kids Must Learn $: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Jewelry Insurance: Should You Use a Rider or a Separate Policy? How To Get Top-Brand Running Shoes for Cheap Right Now  The Sneaker Taking Over America Was Inspired by iPhones and a Vacuum Cleaner Wealthfront Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons - Clark Howard  Clark Howard's Obsession That Could Save You Hundreds Costco vs. Sam's Club: Which Warehouse Club Is Worth Your Money?   What Money Was Like When I Was Growing Up — and Why Your Kids Need Different Lessons Today Financial Advice for the Young Adult in Your Life - Clark Howard How to Teach Young Kids About Money - Clark Howard How I Set My Teens Up for Retirement in 5 Minutes - Clark Howard How To Open a Roth IRA 4 Ways To Stop Junk Mail Samsung Galaxy Card 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