12.17.25 Household $ Saving Tips / Housing: Buying Vs Renting

How far are you willing to go to save money?  We asked our Clarkies to share their best tips and you sure represented! Today we share our  Clark Daily Newsletter survey results on the topic of frugality. Also - is home ownership still the American dream? It’s complicated. Clark discusses the decision factors involved in the largest purchase we ever make. How do you build wealth and where does a home fit into it? Frugality Hacks: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Weighing Homeownership: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: WSJ: The Lengths Americans Are Willing to Go to Make Every Penny Count Clark Daily Newsletter survey results Why You Should Re-Shop Your Cruise Booking a Cruise? Here Are 5 Ways To Do It for Less Is Chase Sapphire Reserve® Worth It? The median age of a first-time homebuyer in America just hit 40 years old 7 Ways To Invest In Real Estate Clark Deals   /   Clark’s Christmas Kids 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

How To Feel Good About Spending in Retirement & Big Changes to Your 2026 Taxes Are you a lifelong saver struggling to spend your retirement nest egg? You're not alone! Many people who successfully save a significant amount face a major psychological hurdle when it comes time to shift from an accumulation mindset to a distribution (spending) mindset. Wes Moss breaks down how to overcome the psychological barrier of watching your retirement balance go down and how to finally feel good about enjoying the money you worked so hard to save. Also, Wes tackles the most timely and impactful tax changes coming up, including a checklist of six critical actions to consider before the end of the year to potentially lower your tax bill for 2026. Mentioned on the show: How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor  Best Financial Advisors in 2025 Year-End Tax Moves Worth Your Time IRS Announces New Tax Brackets and Other Changes for 2026 What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA): What It Is and How It Works Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the December 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.  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 this episode - Brokerage accounts lack legal protection. Clark explains how criminals have figured out how to target brokerage and retirement accounts, and 2 steps you can take to protect your invested life’s savings. Plus - More doctor’s offices are moving to digital paperwork, but patient uptake is surprisingly low. Know the advantages of having electronic medical records.  Safeguard Your Investments: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Electronic Medical Records: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Protect Your Brokerage Accounts From ACATS Transfer Fraud Her Stocks Were Quietly Stolen From Her I.R.A.  What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? Costco Tire Center: 5 things to know about before getting new tires When Is the Best Time of Year To Buy Tires? Here's How Long Your Home Appliances Should Last Report: The #1 Appliance Brand for Customer Satisfaction Axios: Ditching the clipboard: Wellstar patients can check in digitally Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places ⁠How To Get the Best Price Possible Shopping Online⁠ Secret Pricing Tricks Companies Don’t Want You To Know ⁠How To Use Camelcamelcamel ⁠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 in today’s episode: Take it to the limit - the new retirement account limits. Clark has updates and advice to enhance your retirement saving strategy. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Retirement Planning 2026: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Citi Double Cash® Card Review: 5 Things To Know in 2025 5 Things To Know About the Citi Strata Premier Card Cell Phones - Clark.com Can I Use HSA for DPC? Yes, Starting January 2026! Rechargeable Batteries: Are They Worth It? The Best Place To Buy Cheap Batteries 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 Why Clark Howard Is Obsessed With Roth for Retirement Savings My Social Security: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement 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

Is now the time to refinance your mortgage? Only if you meet certain criteria. Clark breaks it down.  Also - Are you with what Clark calls a Giant Monster Mega Bank? If so, you may be paying fees you don’t have to! Clark’s overview of the banking industry makes it clear, the regional, super regional and giant banks are not your wallet’s friend. Hear how people are migrating their money in a way that’s comfortable for them - a method called “soft switching”.  Mortgage Refi Guidelines: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Banish Bank Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How and When To Refinance Your Mortgage: A Step-By-Step Guide Mortgage Refinance Calculator - With Cash Out and Points What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion How To Switch Banks in 4 Simple Steps Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts Best Cash Management Account: Comparing Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book When Do You Need a Travel Agent? Clark's Christmas Kids 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

Costly IRA Conversion Warning & the Hidden Billions Americans Are Leaving Behind In this episode, fiduciary financial advisor Wes Moss tackles a piece of financial advice that he calls "lunacy" and "insanity" – a recent Op-Ed arguing that retirees should convert their entire Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in a single year. Wes explains why this academic advice is a dangerous real-world strategy, warning listeners about the potential for a massive tax bill that could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also, Wes addresses a sinister issue in retirement savings: billions of dollars in "forgotten" 401(k) balances. Wes warns that this money is often parked in cash or a low-interest money market, missing out on decades of critical growth. Mentioned on the show: Forgotten 401(k) Accounts Are Costing Americans Billions in Lost Investment Gains Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the December 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.  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

Clark makes no secret of his obsession with fitness trackers. Nerd Alert: He wears three. But there’s new data that proves he’s just being, well - Clark Smart. We’re moving into an era where more devices can be monitored by healthcare providers, to potentially save lives - A true case of knowledge is power. Also, homeowners with a lot of equity can be sorely tempted to tap into that money. But when is this type of debt appropriate? And what are the best borrowing options? Clark explains the difference between a home equity loan and a HELOC in a period of lower interest rates. The New Power of Fitness Trackers: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Home Equity Decision: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Apple Watch data teamed with AI reveals heart damage Why Does Clark Howard Wear 2 Watches? Why Clark Howard Is So Excited About His Wedding Band KardiaMobile Personal EKG | Kardia Personal EKG Monitor What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Report: Most Popular Used Cars in America What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Similarities and Differences Is a HELOC a Good Idea? The Simple Answer Home Equity Loan Calculator - Clark Howard Ed.gov - Loan Forgiveness How To Roll Over U.S. Savings Bonds Into a 529 Plan 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 in today’s episode - so many people have not taken advantage of an easy way to store identification. Why Clark thinks you should do it TODAY. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Digital Identification: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts NYTimes: How Much It Costs to Drive an E.V. and a Gas Car in Every State Where To Find the Best CD Rates Right Now Clark Howard’s New Airbnb Rule You Need To Follow The NY Times: What’s a Digital Passport and How Does It Work? Top 10 Perks of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review: About the Travel Card Clark Deals 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’s awesome?  The trend of lifelong learning. And in this age of emerging AI disruption and uncertainty, it seems to be catching on. Later - Not awesome: Paying expenses for your adult children when it impacts your own financial well-being over time. How prevalent is this practice? Clark shares some surprising statistics.  Life Is For Learning: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Parental Funding: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Where To Take Free Online Courses 12 Best College Scholarships Websites Plus Other Resources NYTimes: Why Are More Retirees Going Back to College? Why I Take Every Single Vacation Day (And You Should Too!) Is LifeLock Worth It?  /  Protect Your Identity Archives Why You Need To Lock Your Phone Number Today SIM Card Swapping: The Dangerous Cell Phone Scam How To Freeze & Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax & TransUnion The Real Cost of Funding Adult Children: Postponing Retirement Fidelity Investments Review: Pros & Cons Roth vs. Traditional 401(k): What's the Difference? Is Chase Sapphire Reserve® Worth It? 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

50-Year Mortgage: Game Changer or Gimmick? & the Key to Winning a 401(k) Wes Moss dives into the new 50-year mortgage, which he calls a gimmick but sees one potential benefit. Since ownership is key to financial security and the median home-buying age is rising, the concept of starting the equity journey sooner is good. However, Wes and Christa talk about a huge warning if you’re considering it. Also, Wes shares a powerful story about the key to winning your 401(k). The story illustrates a real-life outcome for many Americans, emphasizing how a few years' delay or a few percentage points of savings are huge variables that compound over time. Mentioned on the show: Is Robinhood Gold Worth It? The Key to a Winning 401(k) Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the December 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.  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