The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also in this episode - After years of increases, there’s potentially good news on the auto insurance front. Clark looks at industry trends that point to lower costs for car insurance.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Auto Insurance Prices: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Certificate of Deposit (CD): What Is It, Best Places To Open One Clark's Road Trip Hack: Renting a Car vs. Driving Your Own Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know Should I Buy Additional Insurance From a Rental Car Company? Today's Top Travel Deals Why You Need To Shop Your Auto Insurance ASAP Teslarati: Tesla partners with Lemonade for new insurance program Should You Allow Your Auto Insurance To Monitor Your Driving? How Should I Handle Car Insurance for My Teenage Driver? 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

This time of year tax forms start landing in your mailbox. Clark clears the confusion and misinformation around the IRS’s Direct File vs Free File offerings. Also, a topic sure to generate a lot of Clark Stinks - Clark’s opinion on why you should wait until age 70 to take social security - with two exceptions. Tax Filing Changes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Social Security: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: IRS Direct File won't be available next year. Here's what that means for taxpayers Which Documents Should You Keep and for How Long? How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Will Social Security Run Out? When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security. Don’t Let These Myths Convince You Otherwise Where Should I Set Up My Health Savings Account (HSA)? 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

Are You Wealthy? Use These Numbers To Find Out & Simple Math Behind Millionaires Are you curious how your net worth compares to the rest of the country? Wes Moss dives into the latest data from the Federal Reserve’s Study of Consumer Finances and top financial institutions to paint a clear picture of wealth in America today. Also, Wes helps to draw the roadmap for the next generation of millionaires. Inspired by the wisdom of the Clark Howard community, Wes outlines a simple, repeatable blueprint for financial freedom. By focusing on patience and the power of consistent contributions, reaching a seven-figure nest egg is more achievable than ever. Whether you are starting with $1,000 a month or aiming to max out your 401(k), we show you how a few decades of discipline can transform your financial future and put you on the path to becoming a "financial force of nature." Mentioned on the show: Retirement Calculator Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the January 6, 2026, 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

Never assume a hospital bill is correct. What’s the first thing to ask for? Clark discusses how to handle these bills, and a new way to help get a hospital bill reduced. And speaking of reduced bills, how about a lower heating bill? Clark shares some new innovations to help you Spend Less on home energy.  Lower Hospital Bills: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Lower Energy Bills: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Patient uses AI to reduce hospital bill by 83% - HumbleDollar AI is helping patients fight insurance company denials Can a Patient Advocate Help With Your Medical Bills? Are Extended Warranties Ever Worth It? This paint-like coating lets buildings collect water from the air I tried a sleek new window heat pump that can be installed in less than an hour 10 Ways To Lower Your Heating Bill What Is Service Line Insurance and Do I Need It? Scam Alert: How To Avoid Home Title Theft Home Title Lock: Is It the Same As Home Title Insurance? 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

Clark kicks off the new year discussing how you can rethink your buying decisions moving forward.  And of course, Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Rethink Buying Decisions: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Clark Stinks: Segments 3 &4 Mentioned on the show: NYT: Shoppers Turn to Discounts and Debt, but Not Just for Holidays Is Borrowing Money With Affordable Payments To Buy Nice Things Really So Bad? How to Save Money on Groceries: 22 Clever Ways How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance How Often Should You Re-Shop Insurance? Life Insurance Archives - Clark Howard How To Get the Best Price Possible Shopping Online Backdoor Roth IRA: How High Earners Can Still Contribute 5 Tips To Protect Your Digital Privacy 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