The Clark Howard Podcast

What Are The Money Green Zones? & The Happy Retiree Super Power

Are you flying blind when it comes to your retirement savings? Forget the terrifying headlines telling you that you need tens of millions of dollars to retire—that kind of advice often does more damage than good by making your goals feel completely out of reach. In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down brand-new research on what everyday Americans actually have saved and introduces three attainable, concrete "Money Green Zones" where happiness levels and financial autonomy jump dramatically. Plus, Wes reveals the ultimate superpower of happy retirees that has nothing to do with your bank account, and everything to do with your well-being.

Mentioned on the show:

Betterment Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons - Clark Howard

Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2026

A Key Investing Lesson to Remember Right Now

Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the July 28, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the toughest role reversal we face in life: stepping in to manage aging parents' finances. As parents get older, it’s common for physical health to take priority while finances take a back seat. Clark breaks down the vital lessons on elder-parent care. Waiting until a crisis or a parent's passing to look for wills, passwords, and bank accounts guarantees chaos later.

Also, Clark tackles a growing budget buster for some homeowners: surging HOA and condo fees. What used to be a minor monthly expense has turned into a massive financial strain due to "amenities creep" and inflation. Clark warns that an HOA acts like its own taxing authority with the power to fine you or even foreclose on your home, making it vital to know exactly what you are signing up for before you buy. If you already live in a community where the board is running amuck, Clark shares his personal experience serving on three different boards and explains why organizing with your neighbors and running for a seat is the ultimate way to protect your wallet.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 27, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Oversight Beats Hindsight: Aging Parents: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

HOA & Condo Fees: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

Checklist: What to discuss with aging parents about finances

NYTimes: 5 Money Lessons From Readers in the Trenches of Elder-Parent Care

How Two Clark-Approved Annuities Can Reduce Retirement Stress

Why Your HOA Fees Are Skyrocketing⁠

Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card?

What Is a Secured Credit Card and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard

The Biggest Investing Lesson From Trump Accounts

Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips - 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, many of us are getting more comfortable using artificial intelligence in our daily lives. While AI can be an incredibly useful tool, a dangerous new trend is emerging that could cost you serious money: AI shopping bots. Before you let an AI bot handle your wallet, you need to understand the hidden agenda at play.

All this and more on the July 24, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

AI Shopping Bot Pitfalls: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

Credit Score Guide - Clark Howard

Credit Score Expert Discusses Tips, Mistakes and Misconceptions

Is Your Credit Card Working Against You in 2026? - Clark Howard

How Dividing Your Monthly Credit Card Payment Speeds Up Your Payoff

DateAxios: Exclusive: SpaceXAI, GoPuff want you to shop with Grok

Visa plugs its payment network into ChatGPT, letting AI agents shop and pay for users

This Device Can Help You Avoid an Annoying Car Rental Fee

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 days of automatically upgrading your phone or computer every time it slows down are officially over. Clark breaks down why inflation and rising component costs mean tech prices are going "up, up, and away." Tech giants like Apple are raising device prices to protect their profit margins. While Clark has advised against sinking money into old electronics, the math has changed. Clark shares his rule of thumb for deciding when to repair versus replace, why TVs remain the one truly disposable tech item, and how to avoid the "free phone trap" being pushed by the big three wireless carriers. Also, Clark dives into the massive shakeup happening in the insurance industry. State Farm is facing major backlash from its own agents after dropping a hammer on their compensation models—a desperate move to compete in a market where they are losing ground. Hear which company has taken the lead by embracing a hybrid model, and what to expect buying online vs. with an agent.Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 22, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Electronics: Repair Or Replace?: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Buying Insurance: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

The ‘right to repair’ movement has a point, but consumers should read the warranty fine print first — The Conversation

Why You Should Avoid These Free Offers From Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile

5 Vacation Scams To Avoid This Travel Season - Clark Howard

How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance - Clark Howard

Best and Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies - Clark Howard

Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard

State Farm’s AI Plan for Sales Agents Sparks Uproar. ‘A Real Slap in the Face.’

Is Accident Forgiveness Worth It? - 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

What Is the Retire Sooner Method? & Can You Retire Without Touching the Principal?

How do you retire sooner, increase your happiness, and ensure you never run out of money?

In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down the Retire Sooner Method—your ultimate retirement happiness GPS. Just like navigating an unfamiliar city, navigating retirement without a map guarantees you’ll get lost. Wes shares the 5 essential steps to build a guided blueprint, maximize your financial freedom, and dramatically reduce money anxiety.

Later in the episode, Wes tackles a major fear shared by almost every new retiree: touching the principal. Through a real-life client story, he explains how to bridge your income gap using dividend yields and the famous "4% Rule" so you can protect your hard-earned nest egg and retire with peace of mind.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the July 21, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices