The Clark Howard Podcast

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, contributing to a target-date retirement fund.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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/credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 lesson in this for consumers - use your gift cards ASAP. Retailers and restaurants are feeling the pain right now, so make sure to locate and use any gift cards in your possession soon so that you aren't left with worthless plastic.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 breaks, and amending a tax return.

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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 topics include alternatives to overdraft protection, home title lock, renting a home out on Airbnb, and moving into a camper to pay off debt!

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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 to your credit card as an authorized user or not.

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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 tap 529 plans until later in your college career and is it wise to invest money that you are saving to purchase a home.

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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 getting life insurance as a single parent, companies forcing you to choose auto bill pay, saving up for a new car, and what to consider when building a new home.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Consumer Reports has just released its list of the best used cars under $5k. Clark talks about which cars you should be leaning towards when looking for an inexpensive use vehicle.

There should be a great availability of over the counter hearing aids. But sadly, options are currently limited. Clark talks about how to get the most bang for your buck when purchasing hearing aids in the future.

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There are some newer and fancier dollar stores that Clark wants to make sure you know about.

Exercise doesn't have to take an hour or longer every day. A new study finds that just 11 minutes of exercise daily can have a huge impact in your life!

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Recycling isn't working out very well right now. There have been some proposals floated that could make recycling more viable though.

HP will no longer honor its "free ink for life" plan. Subscribers are already being vocal with their criticism.

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There's a new list of the most reliable used cars. Clark talks about which makes and models make the most sense for your wallet.

Gift cards are often a bad purchase. Just give cash instead! But gift cards are even worse buy right now and Clark tells you why.

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Parents tend to not know when their kids are using tobacco and e-cigarettes. That's not good!

Is the government tracking your location? There's evidence that they may be and that is understandably worrisome to many Americans.

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Clark discusses the benefits of each. Curbside pickup is actually the perfect in-between!

Many companies are slashing salaries if you move opt to move elsewhere. Clark tells you what to watch out for.

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Clark is not a fan of the new Comcast data caps. He discusses the price you might find yourself paying to the internet giant if you use too much data in your home.

Many automakers now offer built-in technology to monitor how your child is driving.

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Some items are made specifically for factory outlet stores. And often those items are of inferior quality. Clark gives you the scoop on how to tell whether the item was made specifically for the factory outlet store or not.

Tough times impact us in massive ways. And we've seen a generation of savers formed because of the difficulties that Covid has caused.

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Renting an apartment has changed because of Covid. Clark talks about how to rent an apartment - and score a good deal - in the world of virtual visiting a future place to live.

The newest ACSI reveals which banks are doing a great job meeting customer needs and which ones aren't.

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Clark talks about the transition to clean energy in the United States. It's been difficult on the oil industry and likely will become even more difficult in the coming years as sustainable energy like wind and solar are getting cheaper and cheaper.

Christa and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.

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Clark talks about which delivery services pay gig workers the best and how gig workers can maximize their income by downloading the Gridwise app.

Consumers are leaving high-cost mutual funds in favor of funds with lower fees. If you haven't checked to see what the fee structure is like in your investment portfolio, now is the time to check!

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Disney+ is looking to add more content while simultaneously raising prices. If you're a Disney+ subscriber you'll be paying $1 more every month starting in March 2021.

Don't ever buy a timeshare. Rent one instead! Koala is a website where you can rent someone else's timeshare.

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Clark talks about some of the best sales happening 10 days ahead of Christmas. He also talks about issues with shipping and getting what you order before Christmas.

Homeland security issued a warning to federal agencies about using certain software that has been hacked. Clark talks about the importance of having cash on hand in case of a hack that affects the US financial system.

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If you need healthcare in 2021, the deadline to sign up at Healthcare.gov is Tuesday. Clark discusses how to assess the plans on the government's website and find the right plan for you and your family.

Vaccine scams are proliferating as the FDA has approved the use of Pfizer's vaccine. Here's what you need to watch out for.

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Store credit cards can be poison for your wallet. Clark tells you the downsides to carrying one and why it isn't a good idea to sign up for most store credit cards.

Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks.

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Half of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings account instead of workplace or personal retirement plan. That's not good!

GM is making a huge pivot to produce a massive number of electric vehicles in the future. And the massive car company just opened factory ZERO just outside of Detroit to help accelerate these plans.

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The IRS has a major backlog of unprocessed tax returns. Many people who filed paper returns are still awaiting a refund.

If you are planning to book travel soon, you might want to purchase travel insurance. Clark tells you how to shop and what to look for in a policy.

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There's a shipping logjam and it doesn't bode well for getting the Christmas presents you've ordered at your doorstep on time.

Colleges across the country are having to cut costs in a big way - including letting longtime professors go.

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Scammers are targeting Amazon Prime members specifically in a new scam that scare you into handing over sensitive personal information.

There's a little more clarity for people who have federal student loans. Payments will now be delayed through January 2021.

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Consumer Reports has detailed some of the problems with the Tesla Model S.

Kim and Joel share the Clark Stinks posted on the web and share with Clark. Submit yours to: Clark.com/ClarkStinks.

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