The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday normally brings a ripe episode of Clark Stinks but today Clark has an update for potential car buyers.  While the cost of automobiles has been soaring, Clark reveals a surprising counterpoint: a selection of reliable, more affordable vehicles. Also in the interest of affordability, travel can easily be too costly. But there’s an often overlooked option that could help you save on spring break or a summer getaway.

(Note: Clark Stinks will be back next week!).      

Affordable Vehicles: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Affordable Vacations: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

qz: The 10 best cheap new cars, according to Consumer Reports

Carscoops: Nobody Wants These 2024 Models And Dealers Are Drowning In Inventory

Carvana sold its first used car in Atlanta. Now it’s selling new cars.

How to Buy a New Car in 5 Steps

Odometer Rollback Is On The Rise

National Association of State Parks - Locate a Park

Is Annual Travel Insurance Worth It?

Travel Insurance Checklist: 5 Types of Coverage To Consider


Clark.com - Invest & Retire⁠   /   ⁠Retirement Calculator⁠

Clark.com resources:

Episode transcripts


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Many young adults recognize the value of early saving and investing long-term. But with 61% of this age group now trusting social media "finfluencers" for investing tips, it’s more important than ever to distinguish between sound financial advice and sales pitches pushing “get rich” ripoffs and worse - conflating gambling with real investing.  Also today - Clark shares a recent story of a retired lawyer who lost $85,000 to scammers posing as Microsoft security, only to have his bank deny a refund. Con artists continue their rampant looting unabated, with ever increasing sophistication, and no one is immune. BUT, there are tells.  Learn their method of operation, how to verify account activity on your own terms, and how to protect your "keys to the kingdom" from the criminals leveraging your data against you.

Finfluencers Vs The Real Thing: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Block The Con Job: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

WPost- 61% of young adults trust social media investing tips. Should they?

Ivestopedia - Investing: An Introduction


Clark.com - Invest & Retire   /   Retirement Calculator

What's the Best Savings Account for a Teenager?


How To Open a Roth IRA

Target Date Funds: Clark Howard's Favorite Retirement Investment

Stock Analysis - Free Online Stock Information for Investors

NYTimes: Tech Support Scammers Stole $85,000 From Him. His Bank Declined to Refund Him.

Clark Howard's Take on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Changes

Should I Ditch My Southwest Airlines Credit Card?

Clark.com resources:

Episode transcripts


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Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275

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Is the Middle Class Shrinking? & the Quiet Power of Dividend Growth

The middle class is shrinking — but perhaps not for the reason you’ve been told. While headlines often paint a bleak picture of economic decline, the underlying data reveals a much more complex and surprising transformation. Wes Moss dives into the "missing" middle class, using recent data to uncover where those families have actually gone since 1979. Also, Wes pulls back the curtain on a hidden force in the stock market: the math of dividend durability. While many investors are distracted by flashy price targets, they are overlooking a component that has historically accounted for over a third of the market's total return. Wes breaks down why a company’s dividend policy is one of the most reliable signals of financial strength and how the "quiet persistence" of dividend growth has consistently outpaced inflation for over sixty years.

Mentioned on the show:

Fee Only Network - Find A Financial Advisor

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One?

How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor

Retirement Calculator

Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the January 27, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions at clark.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

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Today - A tale of two retail experiences. Merchants are getting eaten up by the cost of returns and stiff new policies are reflecting that, with strict deadlines and fees as high as $45 to process mailed items. By contrast, Costco continues to lead with customer-friendly policies, including a little-known "price drop" perk.  Also - The ABLE (529A) program has undergone significant expansion, with millions more people now eligible. Clark breaks down everything you need to know, including a NEVER NEVER rule to protect your wallet. 

Many Unhappy Returns: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

The Updated 529A: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

Costco Home Insurance: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy It

Costco Car Insurance: 5 Things To Know Before You Get a Policy

Travel Alert: New Requirement for UK Travelers

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)


What Is an ABLE Account?

10 Clark Howard 'Never, Not Ever' Rules To Protect Your Money

Clark.com resources:

Episode transcripts


Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275

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Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also in this episode, Clark shares a narrow set of strategies for becoming a landlord successfully in today’s fraught housing market. To determine if a property is a viable investment, know the classic 1% rule.


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Investment Real Estate: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare

How To Make Your Venmo Transactions Private

Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard

Teslarati: Tesla partners with Lemonade for new insurance program

10 Things Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Always Cover

How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion

Should You Invest in a Rental Home? Here's Clark's 1% Rule

Why Clark Howard Says It Isn’t a Good Time To Become a Landlord

What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work?

Roth vs. Traditional 401(k): What's the Difference?

What Is a SEP IRA and Who Is Eligible?

What Is the Highest Credit Score?

Clark.com resources:

Episode transcripts


Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark

Clark.com daily money newsletter


Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275

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