The Clark Howard Podcast

Latest Episodes:

07.03.26 BEST OF: Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / FREE Tuition Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Happy 4th of July Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns July 6th with new ways to Save More, Spend Less and Avoid Getting Ripped Off!

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - as college costs level off due to a competitive marketplace, more institutions are finding creative ways to attract students – including offering tuition-free degrees. Clark shares resources to help you find these opportunities!

Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2
Free Tuition: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07.01.26 Clark Smart Franchising / Pharmacy Options For Rx Savings Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Considering entrepreneurship via buying a franchise? Clark shares his most important rule before investing your hard-earned money: go work for that franchise first. Instead of relying on the sales pitch, spend several months on the job learning how the business really operates, what challenges owners face and whether the opportunity lives up to the promises. Taking this important step could save you from making a costly mistake and help you become a smarter entrepreneur. Also, Clark discusses the expansion of TrumpRx, a government prescription price comparison resource that now includes hundreds of additional generic medications. With prescription costs keeping many Americans from filling the medications they need, Clark reviews several ways to save money on prescriptions, including Costco, Sam’s Club, Amazon Pharmacy, Walmart, Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs and charitable programs that may provide free medications. He also explains what to do if you need an expensive brand-name medication and can’t afford it, including exploring manufacturer patient assistance programs that could help lower your costs.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 1, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Please note: No new episode on Friday. We wish you a safe and Happy Independence Day!

Franchise Entrepreneurs: Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
New Savings On Meds: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.30.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Is the bucket investing strategy the best way to plan for retirement? In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down the powerful visual behind bucket investing and explains why organizing your money into cash, income, growth, and alternative income buckets can simplify retirement planning. He also shares the biggest drawbacks investors should understand before adopting the strategy. Also, Wes tackles a growing trend: professionals looking for more flexibility, purpose, and balance through a second career. He outlines the key questions to ask before making a career switch and explains why financial advising is emerging as one of the most in-demand professions in America.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the June 30, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.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:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.29.26 Travel Booking Basics / Online Shopping: Spotlight On Dark Patterns Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Clark’s first business was a travel agency and he specialized in saving his clients money. Travel costs are challenging now, with airlines facing higher fuel expenses and travelers paying the price. Clark shares his back-to-basics strategy for finding affordable trips, including why flexibility is your greatest money-saving tool. Learn why Clark lets the deal determine the destination, how shoulder-season airfare pricing can create opportunities for savings, and why being a "free agent" when booking flights can help you see more of the world for less. Also, Clark explains the growing problem of "dark patterns" online—those annoying popups, misleading buttons, and sneaky subscription tactics designed to manipulate your decisions. While many of these practices aren't illegal, they are deceptive and can lead to unwanted purchases and recurring charges if you're caught unaware. Know what to watch for and how to avoid getting tricked into spending money you never intended to spend.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the June 29, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Clark Smart Travel: Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
Dark Patterns On The Lit Web: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.26.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Appeal Insurance Denials Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, when your health insurer denies coverage for a treatment, procedure, or medication, don't assume that's the final answer. Clark explains a little-known consumer right that could help you overturn a denial: an external appeal reviewed by an independent third party. While some patients do appeal insurance decisions, very few take the next step when they're denied again. Clark shares why persistence matters, how the appeals process works, and why insurers often reverse decisions when consumers push back. For serious illnesses, these denials aren't just about money—they can be a matter of life and death. Learn how to fight back, when to appeal again, and how an independent review could force your insurer to pay for care it initially refused to cover.

All this and more on the June 26, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2
Insurance Appeals: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.24.26 An Education In Change / Should You Purchase A Warranty - Ever? Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Fifty years ago, Clark founded an alternative school called Career Action for adults who were struggling to find their path after high school. The program was intense, with long days, strict standards, and a focus on preparing students for the workplace. It was successful for decades—but here's what's remarkable: virtually every job skill that was taught eventually became obsolete. The lesson is more important than ever today: you can't stay static. Also, Clark explains why extended warranties are usually a bad deal for consumers. Whether it's electronics, smartphones, appliances, or cars, the math overwhelmingly favors the companies selling the coverage. Clark shares what you need to know about smartphone insurance, home warranties, and extended auto warranties—and the one exception if you're determined to buy coverage for your vehicle.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the June 24, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Adaptation Education: Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
Warranty Decisions: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.23.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss & Clark Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

With technology stocks making up nearly half of the S&P 500, many index investors are asking an important question: Is this concentration a risk—or simply the natural evolution of the market? In this episode, Wes Moss and Clark Howard tackle the growing dominance of tech companies in major indexes, discuss whether traditional index investors should consider diversifying beyond tech, and explore how age and retirement timelines may influence those decisions. They tackle concerns about what happens when so much market value is concentrated in just a few companies—and whether investors nearing retirement should think differently.

Mentioned on the show: Don’t Let FOMO Cost You a Fortune: The Investing Mistake Many Are Making With SpaceX’s IPO

Plus, Wes and Clark answer several listener questions on investing, retirement, and personal finance. All this and more on the June 23, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.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:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.22.26 The Competition Customer Advantage: Supermarkets and Phone Plans Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

If you've felt squeezed every time you shop for groceries, there may finally be some good news. Kroger is cutting prices on thousands of items as competition heats up with Walmart, Costco, Aldi and Lidl. Clark explains why grocery stores are fighting harder than ever for your business, why private label products are becoming the best value in the store, and how inflation continues to affect everyday staples like tomatoes. Then, Clark looks at a new way to cut one of your biggest monthly bills. AT&T has launched a new "Build-a-Plan" option starting at just $15 per month. Clark explains who this plan works for, how much data most people actually need, and why so many consumers are paying for unlimited plans they rarely use. If you've been hesitant to leave one of the major wireless carriers but want to spend less every month, this new offering could be exactly the kind of competition that helps put money back in your pocket.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the June 22, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Save More On Groceries: Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
Save More On Your Phone Plan: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.19.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Subscription Management Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also - I have a homework assignment for you. From streaming services and device protection plans to fitness apps and smart gadgets, recurring monthly charges can quietly pile up and put pressure on your budget. While one small price increase may not seem like a big deal, multiple hikes across several services can add up fast. Clark shares a simple strategy to help you stay on top of subscription costs without turning it into a part-time job. He also shares a personal story about canceling Netflix and the family backlash that followed, and how a lower-cost plan became the compromise. If subscription fatigue is setting in and you're looking for an easy way to cut expenses, this seasonal money-saving habit could help you keep more of your hard-earned cash.

All this and more on the June 19, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2
Subscription Check-up: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.17.26 Let’s Channel Your Inner Millionaire / Reluctant Landlords Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Think you need a high end business or a lottery-ticket stock win to hit a $1 million net worth? Think again. Clark breaks down key insights of first-time millionaires. While old-school wealth looked like owning a successful service business, modern data from Kiplinger and Fidelity proves that regular people working everyday jobs—like teachers and government employees—are achieving financial independence. Plus, Clark examines a growing real estate trend: the rise of the "accidental landlord." According to Zillow, more home sellers than ever are turning into landlords because their houses aren't selling and they can't afford to cut the price. Drawing from his own 43 years of wild landlord adventures—including non-paying tenants and unexpected damages—Clark explains why you should never take this decision lightly.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the June 17, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

Everyday Millionaires Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
Involuntary Landlords: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show: