The Clark Howard Podcast

Why Secondhand Shopping Is Skyrocketing & $20 Device Every Driver Needs in Their Car

Clark digs into two essential ways you can keep more money in your pocket today: the booming world of secondhand shopping and the ultimate tool to protect yourself on the road. With household costs rising, buying "pre-loved" items — from Facebook Marketplace furniture to luxury goods—has become a top strategy for 81% of Americans to save cash and cut down on waste. Also, Clark explains why every driver needs a dash cam, even if it's just a $20 model.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the November 9, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Secondhand - Hands Down!: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Dash Cams: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

Why secondhand shopping is booming for Americans⁠

9 Things You Should Always Buy Used - Clark Howard⁠⁠

How To Open a Roth IRA

6 Things You May Not Know About Target Date Funds - Clark Howard

How To Improve Your Credit Score in 5 Key Areas - Clark Howard

Why Clark Says Everyone Should Have a Dash Cam

Consumer Reports - Home Security Cameras - Eufy Video Doorbell C31

Amazon - Tapo 2K+ Wired or Battery Powered Smart Video Doorbell

5 Best Places To Buy Pet Medicines - Clark Howard

Clark.com resources:

Episode transcripts

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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

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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

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Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275

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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

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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