Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Amount lost to only the scams reported last year: $9 Billion. Clark runs down an alarming list of current cons, and what they all have in common. Also today, Clark updates his journey renting storage , with new insights on what renters of storage units need to know. Scam-a-rama Line Up: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Renting Storage: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show People are losing more money to s...
Dec 27, 2023•34 min
Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Word to seniors - A new trend is serving the lifelong learning ethos which may make sense for you and greatly enhance retirement. Also, the increased challenges of homebuying have led to the resurgence of renting to own a home. Clark discusses the opportunity and hazard of these contracts. Retirees Return To College: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Rent-To-Own Home Contracts: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on ...
Dec 26, 2023•28 min
Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Credit cards are a massive expense for businesses. The U.S. has the highest merchant fees in the world, so many merchants pass on the expense to customers. Clark tells you how Visa is fighting back, and what this all means for both merchants and consumers. Also today, Clark - aka The Man From Roth - shares the considerable merits of the ROTH versions of 401(k)s and IRAs. Roths are the superior choice , yet - underutili...
Dec 25, 2023•26 min
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also today, Clark explains the hybrid vehicle advantage and the difference between plug-in and regular hybrids. Clark Stinks : Segments 1 & 2 Hybrids 101: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids How To Save Money With Google Flights Children & Infant Travel | Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines offers expanded family boarding ages on some fl...
Dec 22, 2023•35 min
Do you financially support your adult kids? This is a tough area. Clark shares some surprising statistics and offers some guidelines for parents. Also in this episode, do you pay attention to security warnings including data breaches, scams & digital vulnerabilities? Clark discusses what it takes for us to actually take security alerts seriously and act to protect our accounts. Funding Your Adult Kids: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Security Warnings: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned...
Dec 21, 2023•32 min
New stats reveal many Americans are tapping retirement accounts for cash shortfalls. There are safety valves that allow access to these funds pre-retirement but doing so erodes future wealth. Clark discusses where to draw the line when faced with this dilemma. Also today, positive changes from Apple include a texting fix that’s long overdue. Borrowing From Retirement Accounts: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Apple’s Texting Fix: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Retirement Acc...
Dec 20, 2023•30 min
Many shoppers are into “ dupes ” - cheaper replicas of pricier products, especially clothing, cosmetics and accessories. So are they worth a try? A recent survey assesses quality vs savings on duplicate brands. Also today, Toyota was just fined for ripping customers off with car loans. But they’re not the only ones playing games in their finance offices. How to bypass this rip-off entirely. Cheaper Duplicates Of Pricey Brands: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Car Loan Rip-offs: Segment 3 Ask Clark...
Dec 19, 2023•29 min
Planning ahead means understanding available care for our aging selves and senior loved ones. Recent reports expose excessive fees imposed at assisted living facilities. Clark explains what to look out for and how to get legit help making placement decisions. Also today - something that is actually getting cheaper for you - audio books. Assisted Living Fees: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Audiobook Deals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids NYTimes.com: E...
Dec 18, 2023•34 min
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also in this episode, great news on a common device that can prevent cognitive decline by 46% - and it’s getting cheaper to buy every day! Clark Stinks : Segments 1 & 2 Hearing Aids: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds How To Dispute a Charge on Your Credit Card OTC hearing aids reduce cognitive...
Dec 15, 2023•33 min
Tax season is around the corner. Clark wants to make sure you know about a government grant for retirement savers who meet the income guidelines. Also today - an important step you need to take if you’re thinking about buying into a homeowner or condo association. Saver’s Tax Credit: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Assessing An HOA: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Saver's Credit: Who Qualifies for This Retirement Tax Break? Walmart+ Membership Program: 4 Things To Know What ...
Dec 14, 2023•26 min
Clark shares data affirming that affordability for first time home buyers is an ongoing challenge. So where’s the housing market headed next? What to know about home prices and interest rates moving forward. Also, Clark openly disdains the higher cost of food delivery. Now, many fine dine-in restaurants are offering a cost saving option. HOLD! First Time Home Buying: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Expansion Of Drive-Through Restaurants: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: M...
Dec 13, 2023•33 min
What happens if a cruise line changes your itinerary or a tour company cancels? You may be out of luck. Hear Clark’s NEVER RULE on travel insurance. Also today, a price trend is your friend. Mattress oversupply means deals. But there’s a requirement you should adhere to when buying. Travel Insurance: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Mattresses Deals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Stuck with a $20,000 bill? Oceania guests struggle for refunds amid major cruise changes - USA ...
Dec 12, 2023•31 min
The bad news on healthcare costs goes deep. Many are forgoing care , regardless of insurance status due to higher deductibles and copays. Clark explains the problem, the consequences, and what you can do to protect your health - and your wallet. Also today, great news for parents of college bound kids. There’s a new rule involving how parental assets affect a child’s eligibility for financial aid. Shop Healthcare: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Retirement & College Financial Aid: Segment 3 A...
Dec 11, 2023•30 min
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also in this episode - do you ask for a credit score on the first date? People are approaching dating in more practical ways regarding financial stability. Clark discusses red flags and the importance of open communication around money from the get go. Clark Stinks : Segments 1 & 2 Money And Dating: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids Treas...
Dec 08, 2023•31 min
Inflation silver lining: New IRS tax brackets for 2024 . By historical standards, tax rates are low - at 12% on average. Understand how this informs financial planning, from Roth IRA conversion to home buying. In an era of historically low tax rates, don’t fall for irrelevant “tax smart” pitches. Also today, a very scary reason why you should always receive paper statements or keep digital records for all financial accounts. New Tax Brackets: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Financial Account Stat...
Dec 07, 2023•29 min
Bin stores , aka discount, surplus or salvage outlets - go by many names, but collectively serve an oversupplied retail market these days. Such stores specialize in selling returns and other troubled goods, offering a shortcut to lower prices. Also today, home insurance is a broken market in coastal areas, but one coastal state is adapting so well, premiums have decreased. Bin Store Savings: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 New Coastal Building Standards: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned o...
Dec 06, 2023•36 min
Now is the time to Save More . Clark makes economic predictions based on global indicators, with advice for timing saving and spending to get the most from your money. Also in this episode, a long promised technology is finally being tested - Amazon drone deliveries . 2024 Deflation: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Delivery Drones: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Right Now Is a Bad Time to Spend Money China Is Making Too Much Stuff—and Other Countries Are Worried Has Your Em...
Dec 05, 2023•30 min
Zelle has been a conduit for pretext scams costing consumers billions. 13 months ago, Zelle promised that by January of this year, they’d have consumer protections in place. Never happened - until now. Also today, as the value of travel points continues downward, Clark helps you determine if credit cards tied into airline & hotel providers are worth the high annual fees - and the cards that may serve you better. Zelle Reforms!: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Travel Credit Cards: Segment 3 As...
Dec 04, 2023•36 min
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also in this episode - Who wants to be a millionaire ? New data shows that 12% of American families are now millionaires. How they got there. Clark Stinks : Segments 1 & 2 Becoming A Millionaire: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: DuckDuckGo — Privacy, simplified. WSJ.com: Never Mind the 1%. Mini-Millionaires Are Where Wealth Is Growing Fastest. Clark.com - Mill...
Dec 01, 2023•26 min
Today, two very practical ways to prepare for your near and long-term future - doing a home inventory and saving for long-term care. Clark gets you prepared in case you ever need to make a home insurance claim, and then discusses the problems with the broken long term care industry. Learn what financial advisors recommend now, to plan for what 80% of older adults may someday need. Home Inventory: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Long-Term Care: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show:...
Nov 30, 2023•25 min
Clark has new evidence to back up something he’s long been in favor of - automatic enrollment in retirement savings plans. How some states are making saving for retirement automatic for the people. And how you can make it happen for yourself. Also, have you ever dreamed of retiring abroad to save money? Clark offers three main areas of consideration before making a decision. Automatic SAVING: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Retiring Abroad: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Mo...
Nov 29, 2023•27 min
One decision that will save you big money over time is to buy a used car instead of new. And there is good news along that front. Clark updates what’s happening with prices on both new and used cars. Also, airline boarding can be a big headache - inefficient and time consuming. Clark has the solution. Used Car Prices: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Fixing Airline Boarding: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark.com - Report: 10 Used Cars With the Biggest Price Drops 10 Best ...
Nov 28, 2023•30 min
A recent court ruling could eventually change the landscape for realtors, bringing U.S. commissions in line with global standards. Also today, it’s beyond Clarkrageous that big banks still pay zip on savings. Clark tells you how to get the most from your savings via CDs. Realtor Court Ruling: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Best CD Savings Rates: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: UPDATE 4-US jury finds realtors liable for inflating commissions, awards $1.78 bln damages Real es...
Nov 27, 2023•33 min
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also, did you hear about the ponzi scheme that involved manure conversion to energy? It’s a hard lesson about investing. Clark shares how the mass movement for private placement investments came about - and became a green light for con artists. Clark Stinks : Segments 1 &...
Nov 24, 2023•33 min
Happy Thanksgiving Day! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. There are cultural differences when it comes to handling money and we in the U.S. aren’t known as champion savers… YET. If building savings for financial security eludes you, Clark has a two part plan to get you on track. Even if you carry debt, follow Clark’s simple start now, and ultimately rewrite your financial future. Also - Clark gives an overview of the rapidly changing streaming...
Nov 23, 2023•31 min
Happy Thanksgiving Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a home now or wait, beyond pre-approval are several cost considerations to add to your decision process. Clark discusses some of the basic costs of owning a home so you go in with a realistic budget for the expected AND the unexpected. Also today, when doing an online search , there’s something you’ve absolutely got to lookout for, or it can hi...
Nov 22, 2023•35 min
Happy Thanksgiving Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. People tend to carry a lot of embarrassment, shame and or anger around debt and other financial mistakes. Counselor Clark would like a word with you…. Also, water bills are up by about 50% over the last several years. Clark discusses the factors leading to this increase and what you can do about it. Facing Debt: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Rising Water Bills: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Se...
Nov 21, 2023•32 min
Happy Thanksgiving Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. Rampant scams are now a global scourge, many now employing a tactic known as “ pig butchering ”. Clark shares a real life example and what you need to know. Also in this episode -Shocking new data reveals that most Americans are not on track for retirement . Our aspirations for early retirement don’t match up to how much is being saved for the future. Know how you can get on track for ...
Nov 20, 2023•31 min
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also today - First time home buyers face many challenges now, but as homebuilders also feel the crunch, there’s a shift in the housing market that may benefit you. Clark Stinks : Segments 1 & 2 Homebuilder Incentives: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is a Good Credit Score? How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager / Senior Planning Is it safe to buy travel fr...
Nov 17, 2023•41 min
How should couples handle money? Clark has some tried & true recommendations . Also, criminals are doing address changes on people with the postal service to steal their mail, with disastrous consequences. What you need to know about new USPS security standards. Couples & Money: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 USPS Change Of Address ID Theft: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Are Joint Bank Accounts the Secret to a Happy Marriage? - The WSJ Common Cents: Bank Account S...
Nov 16, 2023•29 min
