The Consumer Action Center is being inundated with calls from listeners getting a 1099G form indicating that they are being taxed on unemployment benefits even though they never signed up for unemployment! Clark tells you how to handle it if you get one of these forms in your mailbox. President Biden just extended the moratorium on foreclosures. Clark discusses what you should do if you need as a homeowner or a tenant. Question topics: buying plane tickets now, tax on stock market earnings, cont...
Feb 11, 2021•26 min
How much it would cost if you bought all Samsung or Apple have to offer? Life insurance gains relevance for those under 40. Clark discusses the best kind of life insurance and how to buy it Question topics: Pretext scam calls claiming to be from Amazon / Paying off a mortgage early / A lawyer as executor / First credit cards / Credit versus debit cards for online purchases. Mentioned Links: How to Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily news...
Feb 10, 2021•26 min
Google yourself to see what is out there about you. Revenge posting can be harmful to job seekers and to relationships. Clark discusses ways to minimize the damage. How self-install security systems have evolved - Wyze introduces the cheapest security system and monitoring. Clark question topics include: When to rent before buying a home and when to accept a collections resolution offer Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Feb 09, 2021•26 min
To stretch your dollar further, it's important to shop in the right places. Bargain retailers: Online versus in-store when you're trying to Save More. 1 in 5 people have lost money to a phone scam in the past 12 months. Clark talks about how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Clark question topics include: Free state tax filing, printers and ink cartridges, ditching an annual fee credit card, & internet while traveling. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ...
Feb 08, 2021•27 min
Christa shares the Clark Stinks posted on the web and shares with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Many Presidents' Day deals are being touted. How to know what's a real deal and what's not in the month of February. Clark explains how to save on prescription medication Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Feb 05, 2021•26 min
Clark's latest take on the GameStop and other market mania and what it means about the future of the stock market. Clark fields questions about Chase's new credit card policy, social RobinHood and security numbers, buying a new car, buying a car on eBay, charitable donations. Links mentioned in this episode: Clark.com article on Stock Trading and Investment Apps: https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/investing-retirement/best-investment-apps/ Clark.com Credit Freeze Guide: https://clark.com/...
Feb 04, 2021•26 min
In recent years we've been buying 4k tv's even though there isn't much content delivered in 4k! But the tv manufacturers are now starting to sell us on 8k televisions. Don't buy the hype. Now you can get 4k programming over the air with an antenna for free! The pandemic has made the wealth inequality in our country worse than ever. If you've fared well during the pandemic, think about how you can care for others who haven't. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Lea...
Feb 03, 2021•27 min
Being vaccinated will be a green light for both employment and travel moving forward. Employers seek to reduce liability risk. Vaccination comes with digital verification and will be required for travel. With more and more streaming products hitting the market, how do you decide which ones to sign up for? Sometimes prepaying will get you a better deal. That's the case with the new Paramount+ prelaunch discount Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about y...
Feb 02, 2021•31 min
Producer Joel is moving on to pursue his own podcast called How To Money full time. He and Clark discuss Joel's venture and the current real estate market for potential landlords. The pandemic has reduced how much we drive and Clark recommends rethinking auto insurance to include companies that charge by the mile (Metromile) and/or track driver distance and performance. The trade-off of privacy for more accurate pricing can reduce costs for you and improve industry pricing practices overall. Wan...
Feb 01, 2021•29 min
Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . New stats reveal how Americans are spending stimulus funds. For many, the money is vital to survival. For others, it's been used to pay down debt and increase savings, which in turn will contribute to economic recovery gradually, starting mid-year. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 29, 2021•29 min
A new report from Uhaul shows which states Americans are moving to and which states people are leaving. The top 3 states don't have a state income tax! But it turns out that one of the largest reasons that people are moving is to find cheaper housing. And if you are moving, Clark tells you what to watch out for when hiring a moving company. Godiva announced that it will be closing all of its US and Canadian locations. Don't worry, you can still buy your Godiva chocolates elsewhere. But there's a...
Jan 28, 2021•30 min
Despite store closings, Gamestop stock has climbed rapidly as young investors bid up the value. Clark believes this is a bubble that could burst and hurt you if you're investing in a speculative way. The Biden administration is set to reopen the healthcare exchange so that those uninsured by job loss have viable healthcare options. Clark explains purchasing a compliant policy at Healthcare.gov versus buying a non-compliant policy that offers inferior coverage. Want more money advice? Sign up for...
Jan 27, 2021•28 min
Mortgage rates are likely to rise in the coming months. Clark thinks that we'll see rates rise modestly in 2021. So if you're looking to refinance, do it sooner rather than later! Americans are getting back on board with medical tourism even though we're still in the middle of the Covid pandemic. If you are willing to travel, you can save big money by getting medical or dental work in another country. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad ch...
Jan 26, 2021•27 min
Carmax has a generous new return policy. You have 30 days now to drive that used car before you are stuck with it for good. Carmax and Carvana are reaping the rewards of being more consumer-friendly. Food delivery apps can cost you an additional 40%. Clark says that you should opt to order directly from your favorite restaurants and choose to pick your food up instead of using the major apps. This saves you money and keeps more of that cash in the restaurant's hands as well. Want more money advi...
Jan 25, 2021•26 min
Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Clark talks about the new rules about how to avoid losing unused money that you've set aside in your FSA. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 22, 2021•26 min
IRS free file is the place to go for most people who have an AGI of less than $72k. And you can file your 2020 tax return today if you want - although the IRS won't start processing returns until mid-February. Clark just got his first round of vaccine. Some employers are paying employees to get vaccinated. What started with Dollar General has now expanded to other employers who are offering different amounts of money if their employees will get in line to get theirs. Want more money advice? Sign...
Jan 21, 2021•27 min
Clark is not a fan of annuities. But they are going to be available in many 401k's this year. Clark tells you what you should do when you see them as an option in your workplace retirement account. Streaming prices have skyrocketed in recent years! Clark talks about recent changes in the streaming space and how you can find stuff to watch without breaking the bank. Ask Clark topics include budgeting advice for a college sophomore, are the payment apps like Cash App secure, work from home tax bre...
Jan 20, 2021•24 min
Bigger retailers like Amazon and Walmart are letting customers keep less expensive items they are returning a whole lot more these days. That's because the cost of shipping has become prohibitive. The Australian trend of buying something and paying for it in installments is now happening regularly on US websites. Most of these companies don't even charge you interest. Clark says that these installment loans are a reasonable option if it doesn't cause you to buy more than you should. Ask Clark to...
Jan 19, 2021•28 min
Clark discusses how most people can file their taxes without paying a dime. He also talks about how eligible Americans can get the earned income tax credit. Simple bank was an excellent online bank. But it's going away. So Clark talks about which online banks are worth considering if you're looking to move your money. Ask Clark topics include issues with a home solar system, which rewards credit card is best, how to cut down on your home energy use, and whether it makes sense to add your child t...
Jan 18, 2021•25 min
Some borrowers aren't getting their student loans forgiven by the federal government because of confusing requirements. That is not ok. Clark talks about what the government should do to improve the process for borrowers and help them get their loans forgiven in a straightforward way. Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Ask Clark topics include will all student loans be forgiven, why Clark recommends waiting to t...
Jan 15, 2021•29 min
The newest jobs report was not looking very good as unemployment levels rose in December. Clark talks about how to navigate employment in the current economy. Also, the folks at Clark.com have updated the work from home guide which can help you find solid employers offering remote employment. Clark is not a fan of Bitcoin. And the recent volatility in the cryptocurrency arena hasn't changed his mind. Listen to this before you put any of your money into cryptocurrencies. Ask Clark topics include ...
Jan 14, 2021•25 min
Robocalls are the worst! And it feels like we're getting bombarded with them more frequently now. Clark talks about how to curb those annoying calls to bring more zen back into your day. Many appliances still remain in short supply because of factory shutdowns due to Covid. That means that if you are in search of an appliance it'll be harder to find a deal on the one you want. But Clark has some tips to help you out! Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more ...
Jan 13, 2021•23 min
There will be some major changes to the FAFSA for the upcoming school year and parents are going to be thankful for them. Clark talks about the elimination of the expected family contribution and what that means when you are applying for financial aid for your child. Parents are taking on way too much debt for their kid's higher education! PLUS loans are sabotaging their retirement. Clark discusses what you should do instead of taking out those toxic loans. Want more money advice? Sign up for Cl...
Jan 12, 2021•24 min
Clark believes that if you take some important steps to cut subscriptions & shop around for cheaper alternatives that you can save at least $1,000 this year. For more info on which bills you need to look into and how to save the big bucks, be sure to check out this episode. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 11, 2021•24 min
New minimum wage laws are going into effect across the country. Clark talks about where the increases are happening and what affect they will have in addition to how his views have changed on the topic over the years. Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 08, 2021•24 min
New car prices have shot through the roof in recent years! Clark talks about how to trim your transportation budget so that you can find more financial margin in your life. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 07, 2021•25 min
There's a new spot on the IRS website where you can check the status of your stimulus payment if you haven't received it yet. Clark also talks about how the $300 federal supplement for unemployment insurance will work and how long you'll be receiving it. Also, car theft is on the rise! Clark tells you how to protect yourself and your vehicle. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 06, 2021•25 min
Housing is typically the biggest line item in a person's budget. Finding ways to cut costs there will have an enormous impact! Clark gives you his best ideas. Clark also takes your questions about housing on this episode. You can submit a question for the show at Clark.com/ask. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 05, 2021•23 min
A lot of people are setting New Year's resolutions for themselves. And many of you want to handle your money better in 2021. But that's only possible if you tackle those goals the right way. Clark talks about how to actually get better with your money this year instead of just hoping that you will. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 04, 2021•27 min
Haven't spent all your FSA dollars? Clark talks about what over the counter items you can purchase in order to use that money up. The purpose of saving for your future is to give you more control and freedom over your future. Research suggests that people who prepare and have a plan are the ones that end up in the best position in retirement. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 01, 2021•38 min
