Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Speaking of Fridays - working hard or hardly working? There’s a trend of workers cutting out early on Fridays, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Flexible Fridays!: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark.com - TIRES The Basics of Municipal Bonds Travel Archives - Clark Howard /  Travel Archives - Clark Deals We’re Working Less on Fridays, and That’s OK - The Wall Street Journal. Guide to 529 Plans, Saving for College and Financial Aid Rollovers From a 529 Plan to Roth IRA: What to Know Balanced Fund: Definition, Investment Mix, Examples Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode! Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dollar stores and other discounters are reconfiguring. Clark clears media confusion surrounding closures and discusses what makes some discount retail operations more successful than others. Also - If you want job stability with a pension, this job sector wants you! Dollar Store Closures: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Who Offers A Pension?: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Dollar stores are shutting down across America. They did this to themselves 99 Cents Only Stores to close all 371 spots in 'extremely difficult decision,' CEO says - USA TODAY Dollar Tree Raises Max Price to $7: Which Items Will Cost More? Clark Howard's 5 Money Tips for Couples How to Freeze Your Child's Credit Research shows federal workers are effective and committed, not subversive — The Conversation [The Washington Post] The government has a workforce crisis. One of its best-kept secrets can fix it. Portfolio Lender: Meaning, Overview, Pros and Cons Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode! Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark updates EV deals with Tesla now in the mix. Also, what to know about digital wallet options including Paze, a new entry from the big banks. Tesla Deals: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Digital Wallets: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What’s wrong with Tesla? [The Washington Post] Ready or not, self-driving semi-trucks are coming to America’s highways Should You Take Your Pension in a Lump Sum or Monthly Payments? Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Home Page Best Secured Credit Cards for 2024: Top Picks for Building or Repairing Credit The Family Digital Wallet Is A $26 Billion Deposit Opportunity For Banks NYTimes: The Youths Have Spoken: Wallets Are Lame. Go Digital. Millions of small businesses have a new reporting requirement. Here's what to know. Bogleheads Investing Advice and Info Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode! Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often at checkouts, we’re asked to donate to a cause by rounding up our payment or contributing one dollar. How do you decide when to give? Also, as a result of giant hospital systems buying up practices, you may be charged a significant “facility fee” at doctors appointments. Be ready by asking the right question in advance. Plus, out-of-network charges are being manipulated by private equity, costing patients more. Checkout Charity: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Medical Facility Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Choose the Best Charities for Your Donations What's the Best Way To Donate to a Charity? That spare change you donate at checkout is adding up to millions for charities A Simple Trick To Paying Off Your Credit Card Faster How To Open a Roth IRA This Small U.S. City Was Just Named the Best Place to Retire With No Savings. The Best Places to Retire in the World Hospitals Are Adding Billions in ‘Facility’ Fees for Routine Care - The WSJ NYTimes: In Battle Over Health Care Costs, Private Equity Plays Both Sides NYTimes: Health Insurers’ Lucrative, Little-Known Alliance: 5 Takeaways NYTimes: Insurers Reap Hidden Fees by Slashing Payments. You May Get the Bill. What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? CarEdge | Buy, Sell, and Protect New & Used Cars - CarEdge Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode! Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark discusses filing an extension and what to do if you don’t have the money to pay income taxes. Also, many of us are dealing with sky-high valuations of our property, and Clark has a personal story to tell. Filing A Tax Extension: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Property Tax Appeals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Tax return extensions: Why you should (or shouldn't) do it and how to request one When Are Taxes Due? Important Tax Dates in 2024 The IRS has 940,000 unclaimed tax refunds from 2020 that are about to expire. Is one of them yours? Advice | IRS has $1 billion in 2020 tax refunds. Time is running out to collect. AT&T Reset 7.6 Million Customers’ Passcodes After Data Breach - The WSJ NYTimes: AT&T Resets Millions of Passcodes After Customer Records Are Leaked Everything to Know About the Alleged AT&T Data Leak: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Best 529 College Savings Plans By State What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? The ‘Echo Housing Boom’ is here 3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? How To Open a Roth IRA Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2024 Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode! Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. And today Clark revels in listener reprobation for his rank, malodorous missteps on a slew of topics - for the entire podcast. Ah the smell of it!   Mentioned on the show: Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2024 Reps demand answers to U.S. Postal Service delays across state, country Want To Guard Your Privacy Online? Search the Web With DuckDuckGo Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2024 American Express Credit Cards Clark Predicts Traditional 401(k)s, IRAs Will Cease To Exist Within a Decade Target Drive Up Review: How Target Grocery Pickup Works How Do Student Loans Work? 7 Things to Know Follow Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Travel Cheap 5 Things To Know Before You Buy Costco Clothes When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? Will Social Security Run Out? My Social Security: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode! Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Clark shares an important warning for anyone who has a relative or friend in a nursing home, assisted living, hospital or any other medical facility. Also - Self-checkout seemed like a great idea, until stores realized how much theft was occurring. Expect to see some changes in this area.  Medical Facilities Payment Scheme: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Retail Self-Checkout: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Why a financial regulator is going after health care debt 3 Things to Know Before You Lease a Car TrueCar | New & Used Cars for Sale | Car Pricing & Reviews Electrek | EV and Tesla News, Green Energy, Ebikes, and more Carfax Electric Car Lease Deals Which Are The Cheapest Electric Cars To Lease? How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance Best Auto Insurance Companies and Some of the Worst Best And Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau New York Post: Target to limit self-checkout to 10 items as stores trend away from the technology amid concerns of theft New York Post: Dollar General drops self-checkout at hundreds of stores to reduce theft 5 Reasons Sam's Club Is Better Than Costco Getting a Ton of New Credit Card Offers? Here’s What You Need To Do Should I Freeze My Credit With Innovis, SageStream, CoreLogic and LexisNexus? Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The membership business model has overtaken retailers large and small. Clark compares offerings from Target, Walmart, Amazon and 2 warehouse clubs, with a directive for consumers. Also, as if timeshares aren’t bad enough, organized crime is now getting into the resale scam game. Retail Memberships: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Cartels Target Timeshares: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Barrons: Delivery Is Retail’s New Game. How the Players Stack Up. Target Is Rebranding Its Credit Card Program: What You Should Know Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's Wholesale: Which Is Best? How To Manage Your Monthly Subscriptions To Save Money Parent PLUS loans can be a debt trap. Here's a loophole Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Annual Updates to the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan Formula for 2023-2024 Income-Driven Repayment Plans What Are the Tax Consequences of Debt Settlement? NYTimes: A Mexican Drug Cartel’s New Target? Seniors and Their Timeshares Clark.com - Timeshares How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare 5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room How To Plan a Trip: Clark's Best Travel Tips To Save Money  Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the pandemic, many people decided to buy or adopt a dog. Due to changing circumstances, many former “pandemic puppies”  are now in need of homes, presenting an opportunity for would-be pet owners. Also today, scams have morphed over the decades and exploded with technology. It pays to be savvy to the latest permutations of tech imposter scams. Pandemic Puppies Fill Shelters: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Tech Scams: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Survey: 91% of dog owners have experienced financial stress over the cost of pet ownership - USA Today       Clark.com - Is Pet Insurance Worth It? 10 Things Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Always Cover Discover Free Checking Account - No Fee Cashback Debit The Safer Way To Use Your Debit Card New tech support scammers want your life savings Never move your money to “protect it.” That’s a scam What’s a verification code and why would someone ask me for it? Will your bank or investment fund stop a transfer to a scammer? Probably not Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam 16 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts What Is a SEP IRA and Who Is Eligible? Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2024 Southwest - Transferable Flight Credits Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much in the news lately - houses overtaken by squatters, or stolen through title theft. Clark discusses which homes are most vulnerable and what to be aware of as a homeowner. Also today, why credit card rewards are not always worth it. Clark discusses how reward cards work, and what it takes to reap the benefits.  Anti-Squatter Statutes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Credit Card Rewards: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How to Protect Your Home From Deed Theft    New York Post: NYC couple are sued by squatters who allegedly took over their $930K investment home and won’t leave: ‘It’s absolutely absurd’ Home Title Lock: Is It the Same As Home Title Insurance? How To Protect Your Home From Being Stolen by Squatters Are Indexed Universal Life Insurance Policies a Good Option or a Scam? Why You Should Never Mail a Check The deceptive math of credit card rewards: Spending for points doesn't always make sense - USA TODAY Clark.com - Credit Cards Should You Ever Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room? BBB-File a Complaint 7 Rules for Buying a Cheap Car With Cash Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices