The Clark Howard Podcast

07.27.26 Elder-Parent Care / HOA & Condo Fees

It’s the toughest role reversal we face in life: stepping in to manage aging parents' finances. As parents get older, it’s common for physical health to take priority while finances take a back seat. Clark breaks down the vital lessons on elder-parent care. Waiting until a crisis or a parent's passing to look for wills, passwords, and bank accounts guarantees chaos later. Also, Clark tackles a growing budget buster for some homeowners: surging HOA and condo fees. What used to be a minor monthly expense has turned into a massive financial strain due to "amenities creep" and inflation. Clark warns that an HOA acts like its own taxing authority with the power to fine you or even foreclose on your home, making it vital to know exactly what you are signing up for before you buy. If you already live in a community where the board is running amuck, Clark shares his personal experience serving on three different boards and explains why organizing with your neighbors and running for a seat is the ultimate way to protect your wallet. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 27, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark. Oversight Beats Hindsight: Aging Parents: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 HOA & Condo Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Checklist: What to discuss with aging parents about finances NYTimes: 5 Money Lessons From Readers in the Trenches of Elder-Parent Care How Two Clark-Approved Annuities Can Reduce Retirement Stress Surging HOA Fees Are Pushing Homeowners to the Brink - The WSJ Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card? What Is a Secured Credit Card and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard The Biggest Investing Lesson From Trump Accounts Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips - Clark Howard 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

07.24.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / AI Shopping Bots

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, many of us are getting more comfortable using artificial intelligence in our daily lives. While AI can be an incredibly useful tool, a dangerous new trend is emerging that could cost you serious money: AI shopping bots. Before you let an AI bot handle your wallet, you need to understand the hidden agenda at play. All this and more on the July 24, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 AI Shopping Bot Pitfalls: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Credit Score Guide - Clark Howard Credit Score Expert Discusses Tips, Mistakes and Misconceptions Is Your Credit Card Working Against You in 2026? - Clark Howard How Dividing Your Monthly Credit Card Payment Speeds Up Your Payoff DateAxios: Exclusive: SpaceXAI, GoPuff want you to shop with Grok Visa plugs its payment network into ChatGPT, letting AI agents shop and pay for users This Device Can Help You Avoid an Annoying Car Rental Fee 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

07.22.26 Electronics: Repair Or Replace? / Buying Insurance

The days of automatically upgrading your phone or computer every time it slows down are officially over. Clark breaks down why inflation and rising component costs mean tech prices are going "up, up, and away." Tech giants like Apple are raising device prices to protect their profit margins. While Clark has advised against sinking money into old electronics, the math has changed. Clark shares his rule of thumb for deciding when to repair versus replace, why TVs remain the one truly disposable tech item, and how to avoid the "free phone trap" being pushed by the big three wireless carriers. Also, Clark dives into the massive shakeup happening in the insurance industry. State Farm is facing major backlash from its own agents after dropping a hammer on their compensation models—a desperate move to compete in a market where they are losing ground. Hear which company has taken the lead by embracing a hybrid model, and what to expect buying online vs. with an agent.Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 22, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark. Electronics: Repair Or Replace?: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Buying Insurance: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The ‘right to repair’ movement has a point, but consumers should read the warranty fine print first — The Conversation Why You Should Avoid These Free Offers From Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile 5 Vacation Scams To Avoid This Travel Season - Clark Howard How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance - Clark Howard Best and Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies - Clark Howard Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard State Farm’s AI Plan for Sales Agents Sparks Uproar. ‘A Real Slap in the Face.’ Is Accident Forgiveness Worth It? - Clark Howard 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

07.21.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss

What Is the Retire Sooner Method? & Can You Retire Without Touching the Principal? How do you retire sooner, increase your happiness, and ensure you never run out of money? In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down the Retire Sooner Method—your ultimate retirement happiness GPS. Just like navigating an unfamiliar city, navigating retirement without a map guarantees you’ll get lost. Wes shares the 5 essential steps to build a guided blueprint, maximize your financial freedom, and dramatically reduce money anxiety. Later in the episode, Wes tackles a major fear shared by almost every new retiree: touching the principal. Through a real-life client story, he explains how to bridge your income gap using dividend yields and the famous "4% Rule" so you can protect your hard-earned nest egg and retire with peace of mind. Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the July 21, 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: BOOKS BY WES MOSS Wes Moss, CFP® Wes Moss - Clark.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-20-2026 WFH Is Reshaping Employment / Health Insurance Costs

Today - remote work became essential during COVID, but could it be hurting your career now? While the benefits of working remotely are undeniable, new data shows that "out of sight, out of mind" is a dangerous reality in corporate America. Clark shares several things to consider if you want to protect your paycheck and position yourself for promotions. Also, a massive storm is brewing in the healthcare industry, and it is going to hit your wallet hard. The soaring cost of healthcare—driven heavily by hospital system monopolies in major metro areas—is pushing individual deductibles toward an estimated $15,000 and family deductibles past $30,000 by 2027. Clark explains everything you need to know - including another disadvantage in Advantage Plans. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 20, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark. WFH Benefits & Risks: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Health Insurance Update: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Working remotely could make you more vulnerable to a layoff than AI Scam Alert: How To Avoid Home Title Theft - Clark Howard Home Title Lock: Is It the Same As Home Title Insurance? Property Fraud Alert Are Missing Money Websites Legit? - Clark Howard Raisin Review: Can You Trust This Online Savings Marketplace? 16 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in July 2026 Is Plaid Safe? 5 Things to Know Before Linking Your Bank Account Searching for health insurance? Keep scrolling to avoid government impersonators How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion What Is a Secured Credit Card and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard Best Secured Credit Cards for 2026: Top Picks for Building or Repairing Credit 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