09.12.25 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Our New Car Cost Calculator

A stressful, burdensome price pressure squeeze play - this describes housing costs today. So potential homebuyers have much to consider. Clark talks through how to think realistically about the real cost of home ownership. Also today, the first way to stretch a dollar is to shop second hand. A simple reminder to explore a wider area of where to buy used near you!  True Cost Of Home Ownership: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Thrifting Is Brilliant: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The 28% Rule for Housing: Does It Still Work in Today’s Market? 4 Things To Know Before You Buy Renters Insurance Best Credit Cards for Students: Top Picks for 2025 What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? Fidelity Investments Review: Pros & Cons Thrifting is still big business, according to Pinterest Pawn shops: The surprising shopping destination 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Pillars of Investing (Good Times and Bad) and How To Pay 0% on Capital Gains Investing in today's world can feel complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Fiduciary financial advisor Wes Moss breaks down the "5 Pillars of Investing" for both good times and bad. Also, he shares a powerful strategy to potentially pay 0% on your long-term capital gains, based on new tax law changes. Mentioned on the show: The 4% rule is now the 4.7% rule. Here's why that matters. There’s a ‘golden opportunity’ to pay 0% capital gains under Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill,’ experts say Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the September 16, 2025, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast.  Submit your questions at clark.com/ask. We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes, in which Christa and Wes discuss investing and retirement savings in depth. 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show, crooks are finding new, sophisticated ways to get into your accounts. There are risks with voice ID, 2 factor authentication, spoofing, pretexting and more. Clark shares ways to protect yourself.  Also, how do you “futureproof” your career with so many changes coming from AI, robotics and more? Clark discusses the value of looking ahead, enhancing your skillset, and asking “what’s next” jobwise.   Guard Your Accounts: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Futureproof employment: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Why You Need To Lock Your Phone Number Today Vanguard Account Security - Spotting and stopping more sophisticated scams Lawsuit Claims Zelle Security Lapses Cost Over $1 Billion in Fraud: What You Need to Know How to outfox financial scammers What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? What Is a Flexible Spending Account? 8 Retirement Catch-Up Secrets for Savers 55+ 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices 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 today, Empowerment in Action: Our team has developed a new tool to help you make one of life’s largest purchase decisions - exclusively at Clark.com Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Car Cost Calculator: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? Why You Need To Lock Your Phone Number Today Best 529 College Savings Plans By State 5 Money Tips To Know Before You Travel Abroad The Total Cost of Buying Cars (Calculator) Clark.com How Much Car Insurance Do I Need? 10 Ways To Save Money on Car Insurance Will I Get a Better Deal on a Car By Financing or Paying Cash? 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode - a Federal sweep has revealed how transactional crime rings have engineered a common scam that is emptying accounts. Clark shares the warning and tells you how to avoid having your credit or debit card information stolen. Also, electricity rates are skyrocketing, but we are not sitting ducks. A breakthrough in self-install solar is becoming more mainstream. Avoid Skimmer Scams: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Self-Install “Balcony” Solar: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Protect Your Money From Sneaky Card Skimmers Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review: Travel Card Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know Why You Should Keep Old Credit Card Accounts Open How and When To Cancel a Credit Card Axios: Electricity costs rise amid data center boom Can’t put solar panels on your roof? Plug-in ‘balcony solar’ may be for you. Homeowners Insurance Archives - 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Really Drives the Stock Market and Why Even Perfect Estate Plans Fail Have you ever wondered why the stock market seems to be doing great while the economy feels just... okay? In this episode, fiduciary financial advisor Wes Moss explains why the stock market often tunes out economic "noise" like geopolitical events and rising unemployment. He reveals the number one thing that drives stock performance -- and it's not what you think. Also, you've done all the right things: created a will, set up a trust, and made your wishes clear. So why do so many estate plans -- even those of celebrities like Jimmy Buffett -- end up in messy family feuds and court battles? Wes has the answer. Mentioned on the show: The Rule of 55: What Is It, How It Works Rule 72(t): Secret Rule To Access Your IRA Early Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the September 9, 2025, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions at clark.com/ask. We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes, in which Christa and Wes discuss investing and retirement savings in depth. 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New data shows the value of automatic savings into retirement plans - and the consequence of not having a plan.  So if you don’t have access through work, start one yourself. Your map to retirement - Clark says let’s get on it! Your future self will surely thank you. Plus, a simple audit of your checking and credit card accounts is in order. Clark has something specific for you to look out for. Retirement-Automatic Is KEY: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Subscription Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 1 Million Workers Have Saved $2 Billion in State Automated Retirement Savings Programs How To Open a Roth IRA   //   Clark.com - Invest & Retire 6 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds The Best Phone Plan For You - Compare Phone Plans Is Medical Tourism Right for You? How To Manage Your Monthly Subscriptions To Save Money How Fidelity's Credit Card Rewards Just Got Even Better How Landlords Can Check a Tenant's Credit Report 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Clark addresses meme stocks and crypto schemes appearing on social media. An old scam in a new era is ripping people off big time, with the lure of finding a shortcut to wealth. Also -  Booking travel at a time of instability in the industry means you could get ripped off. Clark tells you how it goes down, and has expert advice to help protect your money when booking. The Pump & Dump Con: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Safe Travel Booking: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show:  ‘I almost fell off my chair’: Investors lose billions on meme stocks as ‘pump and dump’ scams multiply Car Insurance Archives - Clark Howard What Is Umbrella Insurance and Do You Need It? Would you book a ticket on a dying airline? How To Plan a Trip: Clark's Best Travel Tips To Save Money Google Flights Launches New Tool for Finding Cheap Airfare 3 Reasons You Should Never Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room 4 Fastest Ways To Improve Your Credit Why 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Worries 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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today - How Clark saved money solving his streaming dilemma just in time for football season. Also, paying for skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care and long-term care facilities only gets more costly & complicated. Clark has a warning for those trying to navigate the system.  Streaming Update: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Senior Facility Payment Warning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark Howard Is Making These Changes to His Streaming TV Strategy Streaming TV Tool: Find Cheapest Way to Stream Your Favorite TV Channels Is the New Sling Select Subscription Tier Worth It? Clark.com - Streaming TV  /  How To Watch Local Channels Without Cable 4 Things To Know Before You Buy a TV Antenna Making Sense of the Disney, ESPN, Hulu and NFL Streaming TV Headlines 5 Things You Should Re-Shop To Save Money 3 Reasons You Should Never Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room Automatic Bill Pay: How It Works and How To Do It Safely  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: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Power of Dividend Growth Explained and Is the Midwest the Next Silicon Valley? Should we fall in love with dividends? Fiduciary financial advisor Wes Moss tackles the classic debate of stocks versus bonds with a deep dive into the power of dividends. Using data going back 45 years to 1980, Wes reveals how an investment in the S&P 500 would have dramatically outperformed bonds, with dividends growing by an incredible percentage. Also, Wes shares a fascinating look at the future of American manufacturing. He draws a comparison between the 1950s and today, highlighting the huge growth in productivity and innovation. Wes argues that the next big frontier for economic growth might not be in Silicon Valley, but in the heart of the Midwest, thanks to modern-day "George Jetsons" and a renewed focus on high-tech manufacturing. Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the September 2, 2025, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast.  Submit your questions at clark.com/ask. We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes, in which Christa and Wes discuss investing and retirement savings in depth. Let us know what you think in the comments! Learn more about Wes:   BOOKS BY WES MOSS   /   Wes Moss, CFP® Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices