Housing prices have gone up way beyond income. In an effort to jumpstart home buying for those in their 20s & 30s, the Feds are offering a new FHA loan for first-time condo buyers, with a 3.5 down and lower credit standards. Know the condo market is more volatile than the single-family home market, with values going up or down more quickly, creating more short-term risk. Ideally, go into a condo purchase using Clark’s rule of thumb if possible, with the intention of living there 10 years or ...
Aug 15, 2019•38 min
Bond rates are at all time record lows for 30 year federal treasury bonds, a strong signal of coming recession. If the economy slows or declines, workers are impacted with less overtime, reduced hours, pay freezes etc. Think through how you can be more careful with spending. Take the time to look through your bills, trim costs and build some breathing room. Things happen and we need to be prepared for surprise expenses – medical, home, vehicles etc. Investors, if you’re going to need your invest...
Aug 14, 2019•39 min
Movie Pass and Sinemia are both effectively out of business. But in the process they taught the film theater industry that if you offer a deal, many will take advantage of it. The movie industry has faced stagnation and steady decline with fewer people going to movie theaters. AMC was the first to offer a subscription through Stubs A-List – around $20 month for 3 movies a week. Regal’s program is $18 - $24 per month – offers unlimited movies! Only subscribe if you’ll really use the subscription....
Aug 13, 2019•38 min
Credit card interest rates are at an all-time high. At a time when interest cost to banks is very low for what they borrow to lend on credit cards, they’re charging the highest rates ever. Users don’t worry about rates likely because they don’t intend to carry balances. Meanwhile, if you’ve financed a vehicle at a bank or dealership, now there’s an opportunity to refi for a much lower interest rate through a credit union. With the trade related reduction in interest rates, this is a side benefit...
Aug 12, 2019•39 min
Complaints against American Airlines have been filed for their refusal to accommodate passengers with nut or any food allergies. The DOT has determined American was putting people in harm's way. Now airlines are required to accommodate those with food allergies, which comprise 1.5% of the population. While other airlines have done away with nut snacks, American continues to serve them, allowing pre-boarding to wipe down seats for designated passengers. They need to take the next step and stop se...
Aug 09, 2019•38 min
Social security hacking is a rare but ongoing crime, wherein a criminal hijacks someone's social security benefit, convincing the authorities of an address and bank account change. Impersonating you, the criminal starts receiving your benefit. Criminals will also apply before you do - just in advance of your 62nd birthday, while you may be planning to take the benefit years later. Set up an account at MySocialSecurity.gov long before you're eligible to receive the benefit. If an address change i...
Aug 08, 2019•38 min
Way too often people will raid their 401(k) at some point. They take out a loan, do a hardship withdrawal, or spend it away when changing jobs. The Federal Reserve finds that people withdraw around 40 cents of every dollar put in their 401k - money that WON'T be there for retirement. Pew Research calculated the average amount of a major unexpected expense to be $2,000. Most don't have $2k for emergencies. The WSJ reports more employers are offering personal finance programs, with emergency fund ...
Aug 07, 2019•39 min
American debt and delinquency are increasing in a time of low unemployment. The Census Bureau data finds Americans buying homes with double the square footage per occupant compared to 2 generations ago. The average home has 1000 square feet per person. The average U.S. home now is around 2500 square feet - up from 1500 not that long ago. That's more square footage to heat, cool and repair. Housing is the number one cost of living factor that affects your future financial security. When home shop...
Aug 06, 2019•39 min
Check out our new free online movie guide. Ad-supported streaming services heavily featuring movies are a fast-growing part of streaming. Big Five Glories features classic movies, no subscription, no sign-up, lots of free movies. Sony Crackle is a free streaming service, mostly movies from the 80's and recent bombs. Crackle is polarizing because there are ads inserted, but it's free. ClassicCinemaOnline features westerns, classic and independent films. Home HVAC units may need replacing. Rip-off...
Aug 05, 2019•38 min
Food company CEO Scott Nash spent a year eating food past its expiration date, tortillas a year past, yogurt months past and heavy cream 2.5 months past its expiration date. Truth: Most expirations dates on medicine and food don't mean ingestion will be dangerous past that date. Meds can be fine years out of date, perhaps less effective but most are not harmful. Expirations dates should be honored on certain foods, including deli meats, unpasteurized cheeses & milk. And tossing picnic foods ...
Aug 02, 2019•39 min
People have issues with financing, builders, selling, and buying used homes. There are many confusing moving parts. Clark discusses 9 steps to buying a home involving credit, qualifying and shopping for loans, shopping homes, negotiating etc. Local communities have design rules that have crushed affordability for first time home buyers. In dense urban areas, the value of land drives the cost of homes. So out-of-date rules on land use create many inefficiencies, including affordability. The next ...
Aug 01, 2019•38 min
Back to school sales have begun in much of the country. Overwhelmingly, schools have migrated to Chromebooks as the computer of choice. Chromebooks are easier to manage and maintain and are less vulnerable to viruses. No frills Chromebooks are under $100. If your child is going to a Chromebook based school, your cost will for a really capable one will be around $150. If your child is going to a Windows school - a good Windows laptop will cost around $199. Yet another medical bill shock. In mid a...
Jul 31, 2019•38 min
There's much confusion surrounding life insurance - Who needs it? How much? How do you go about buying it? Only ultra-high income earners might be candidates for whole life. Avoid universal life and variable universal life - those are recipes for disaster. Most people should have level term life, wherein the premiums do not change for the term of the insurance. The purpose is the replacement of income to provide for loved ones. Term life only pays in case of death and is easy to comparison shop ...
Jul 30, 2019•39 min
The cost of home broadband has gotten so expensive and more consumers are disconnecting home internet in favor of cell phone Wi-Fi. USA Today reports 40% are using cell phone internet exclusively now for service. They're finding that it works out fine. On cell phones, people don't have to worry about data overages. Some carriers may impose network management for those who've used a lot of data that month and find themselves in congested areas, by crawling service till the next billing cycle. But...
Jul 29, 2019•39 min
The app Tinder has changed the way you pay for its services because Google Play charges apps a WAY too much money; Christa reads listener posts about how Clark has missed the mark in his advice this week. If you have a "Clark Stinks" to share you can leave it here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 26, 2019•39 min
Solar prices have plummeted. More consumers should strongly be considering purchasing whole-home solar; Almost 20% of kids carry a credit card. That is incredibly dangerous; You should strongly consider changing banks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 25, 2019•38 min
The T-Mobile merger is likely to be approved very soon. And it's not all that bad as it turns out; Don't take "anonymous" surveys that your work sends you. You aren't really anonymous; Clark tells you when to call customer service to avoid waiting forever for help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 24, 2019•39 min
Putting in fake grass could be better for the environment and for your wallet; The CFPB has created a co-branded card with H&R Block. The CFPB is siding with businesses now instead of consumers; It's really hard to find cheap contact lenses. Clark tells you where to shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 23, 2019•39 min
Clark tells you what you need to know about the Equifax data-breach settlement; One school district threatens parents over unpaid lunch money; Consumer Reports rates the best (and worst) payment apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 22, 2019•39 min
Google's Chrome browser is tracking you more than you realize. Clark gives thoughts on searching and browsing and not being tracked; Christa reads listener posts about how Clark has missed the mark in his advice this week. If you have a "Clark Stinks" to share you can leave it here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 19, 2019•39 min
The Swedes are getting microchip implants to pay for things; Marriott has been sued over astronomically high and deceptive resort fees; Check out this prescription drug tool that could save you money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 18, 2019•38 min
Fidelity is taking their fees even lower; The viral Face app has some terrible terms and conditions that you need to know about before using it; Moving is full of potential pitfalls. Clark tells you what you need to know first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 17, 2019•39 min
Credit card companies are torching the secondary benefits that they offer their customers; A lot of Ford Focus' and Fiesta's have major transmission issues; Consumer debt is at an all-time high...which is scary considering how good the economy has been. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 16, 2019•39 min
Google smart speakers are ALSO spying on you. Know what you are getting into before you buy; Clark tells you what to watch out for with this new credit card scam phone call; Texas makes a college education at UT free for some low income families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 15, 2019•39 min
Credit card companies are lowering the limits of their customers at random. Clark tells you how to protect yourself; Christa reads listener posts about how Clark has missed the mark in his advice this week. If you have a "Clark Stinks" to share you can leave it here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 12, 2019•39 min
What to do with the new (and confusing) W-4 income tax form; FDA warns about pricey blood transfusion company; The obesity rate is declining amongst American children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 11, 2019•38 min
CVS is launching new "health hubs" in multiple cities which could change the way we folks receive healthcare; Wells Fargo is under fire again for having cheated their auto loan customers by signing them up for insurance that they didn't request; Fall travel deals are looking GOOD! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 10, 2019•38 min
What do you do if you own a car that is no longer being manufactured?; USB charging ports, especially in high traffic areas like airports, pose a new threat to your phone and personal information; How can you find a good side hustle? There's a new site to help you with that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 09, 2019•38 min
Dash cams are cheap insurance. They can provide invaluable evidence in the case of an accident; Clark talks about how you get compensated by airlines in the event of delay; Personal finance education is coming to Ivy League schools like Harvard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 08, 2019•39 min
Some folks in San Francisco are living on boats. Others are making difficult choices about where to live in certain expensive housing markets; Prisons have profited off of prisoner phone calls for too long. Some states and municipalities are starting to make it easier and cheaper for prisoners to stay in touch with their loved ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 05, 2019•38 min
