The Clark Howard Podcast

In this special episode, fiduciary financial advisor Wes Moss answers your top questions on high-yield savings accounts, college planning, investing for grandchildren, preparing for retirement, and more. Whether you’re dealing with falling savings rates or trying to navigate high-yield dividend options, Wes breaks down the practical strategies you need to keep your money working for you.

Mentioned on the show:

Where Should You Keep Your Cash Reserve? - Clark Howard

Backdoor Roth IRA: How High Earners Can Still Contribute

The Biggest Investing Lesson From Trump Accounts - Clark Howard

Best 529 College Savings Plans By State

All this and more on the August 25, 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 – pre-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

The latest financial data shows the U.S. savings rate has dropped to an alarming rate. While many households are struggling just to cover the basics, many middle and upper-middle-class families are falling into the lifestyle trap. Find out what the new rate is and what you should aim for instead.

Also today, new commission structures for home buyer agents are proving problematic. Recent lawsuit settlements were supposed to make agent commissions more transparent and negotiable for home buyers. Instead, the law of unintended consequences has created a nightmare for consumers. If you are shopping for a home, know what to watch out for.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the August 24, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark.

Automatic Saving Gets It Done: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Home Buyer Warning: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

America’s Savings Rate Has Dropped to an Alarming Low

How To Save Money: Spend Less & Build Your Savings

Do You Save More Than the Average American? - Clark Howard

How Much of Each Paycheck You Should Save or Invest

Why You Need To Lock Your Brokerage Account Today

7 Ways To Invest In Real Estate - Clark Howard

Should You Pay Extra for Postal Insurance When Mailing Valuable Items?

She tried to fire her real estate agent. It turned into a nightmare.

New Real Estate Trap: How a Signed Paperwork Loophole Can Cost You Thousands

How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager - Clark Howard

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One?

Long-Term Care Insurance Is Getting Harder To Buy. Here’s Why You Might Not Need It Anyway

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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, many Americans are ordering medications from online websites and pharmacies, and a major player is being sued by the FTC. Online medical services promising quick prescriptions for sensitive conditions seem convenient, but they could be costing you more than money—they might be handing over your private health data. Clark discusses the broader boom of direct-to-consumer online doctor services and why you need to protect both your wallet and your privacy. All this and more on the August 21, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Online Med Sites: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard

How Do I Use All the Funds on My Visa Gift Card? - Clark Howard

Best Secured Credit Cards for 2026: Top Picks for Building or Repairing Credit

BBB - Hims & Hers Inc.

WSJ: FTC Sues Hims & Hers, Alleging Unlawful Sharing of Data, Deceptive Billing

Best Cash Management Account: Comparing Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab

Clark.com resources:

Episode transcripts

Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark

Clark.com daily money newsletter

Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275

Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you think winning the lottery is the only way to achieve financial independence, think again! The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement has shifted drastically over the years in the wake of inflation, rising housing costs, and healthcare challenges, but the core principle of FI is more relevant today than ever. Clark shares his own journey—including retiring at 31 and starting his first business by living on half his income—to show you how living on less than you make can buy you ultimate freedom.

Also, are you really getting a discount, or are retailers just playing mind games? Clark exposes how major stores—especially in clothing and online marketplaces like Amazon—artificially inflate original prices just to mark them back down. Learn how to spot deceptive pricing tricks, use historic price-tracking tools, and resist psychological sales traps so you never get ripped off again.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the August 19, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark.

FIRE Movement Update: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Pricing Tricks: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

What Does Financial Freedom Mean To You? Our Six Levels

What I got wrong about FIRE / How to Retire Early in 7 Steps

Best Of: The Clark Origin Story / About Clark Howard

What Is Mortgage Recasting? / Mortgage Recast Calculator

How some retailers inflate original prices to create fake discounts

How To Get the Best Price Possible Shopping Online - Clark Howard

How To Use Camelcamelcamel - Clark Howard

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Home NAELA

Best Small Business Credit Cards - Clark Howard

How Do I Remove Myself as an Authorized User on a Credit 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

What History Really Says About All-Time Market Highs & Should You Move to a 55+ Community?

With the S&P 500 continuously hitting new all-time highs in 2026, many investors are wondering if the market has moved too far, too fast. In this episode, Wes Moss dives into the history of market highs, explaining why record-breaking runs are actually far more common—and far less dangerous—than headlines suggest.

Also, Wes tackles one of the biggest lifestyle decisions in retirement: deciding where to live. Maintaining a vibrant social circle gets harder as we age, but moving to an active 55+ community can provide the built-in social network, amenities, and lifestyle needed to thrive. Wes walks through a real-life case study of how to properly research, visit during peak seasons, and test-drive these neighborhoods before buying. Plus, he reveals a clever tax strategy for funding your next home without triggering a massive tax bill.

Mentioned on the show:

The Overlooked 'Rule of 55' Could Unlock an Earlier Retirement

A Simple Rule for When To Take Social Security

Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the August 18, 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 – pre-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