Clark Howard

@ClarkHoward
Credit card

Should you give your zip code at checkout?

By Clark Howard
updated 8:42 AM EDT, Fri March 29, 2013
There are certain pieces of personal information you never want to give out unless it's absolutely necessary. Social Security number immediately comes to mind. But what about your zip code?

Bed Bath & Beyond is being sued in Massachusetts. What were they allegedly doing? Asking customers for their zip codes at checkout.

Read More   |   Comments ()
Gas prices

What's up with gas prices being down?

By Dave Siff
updated 10:09 AM EDT, Wed March 27, 2013
At a national average of $3.65 per gallon for regular unleaded, gas prices aren't low by any stretch of the imagination. But, they are lower, in a couple of significant ways.

First, prices are down from where they were a year ago. AAA says the national average on this date in 2012 was $3.90. So, today's price gives you a nice, shiny quarter back in your pocket for every gallon. For a car with a 12-gallon tank, that's $3 every time you fill up.

Read More   |   Comments ()
Home prices

Signs of recovery: Home prices & sales are up

By Dave Siff
updated 9:40 AM EDT, Tue March 26, 2013
Good news is building for the housing market, with home prices and sales well above where they were at this time last year.

According to the closely-watched S&P Case-Shiller index, home prices in January were 8.1% higher than they were 12 months earlier. That's the best year-over-year performance in nearly seven years. The index tracks prices in the 20 largest U.S. markets.

Read More   |   Comments ()
Payroll tax

Survey: Little impact from higher payroll tax

By Dave Siff
updated 8:09 AM EDT, Mon March 25, 2013
Remember all that fiscal cliff drama in Washington around the holidays? Three months later, Americans are starting to feel the impact of forced spending cuts. But one part of the deal apparently isn't causing much pain at all; the expiration of the payroll tax holiday.

Starting New Year's Day, the amount taken out of your paycheck to fund Social Security increased to 6.2% on the first $113,700 of wages. It had been 4.2% for the prior two years. For someone making the national average salary of $41,000, the increase means $32 less each pay period.

Read More   |   Comments ()
Hotel Savings

Hotel savings: New sites and apps

By Aikeem Hunter
updated 12:23 PM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
There are a growing number of sites and apps available to help you save money on your hotel room. HLN's money expert Clark Howard shares how you can cut costs -- even on a last-minute trip. 

Comments ()
Filed under:   Your money
Retirement saving

Retirement crisis? Workers not saving enough

By Dave Siff
updated 6:56 AM EDT, Tue March 19, 2013
As we learned during the economic downturn of the past several years, being able to retire when you want and with enough money to live comfortably is far from a sure thing. And a new survey shows Americans' expectations for retirement remain low.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 28% of workers have no confidence they'll be able to afford a comfortable retirement. That's the highest level in the survey's 23-year history.

Read More   |   Comments ()
Take Charge, Your Career

Career challenge: Switching gears after 25 years

By Dave Siff
updated 3:02 PM EDT, Fri March 15, 2013
Changing jobs every few years may be the "new normal" for younger workers. But it can be more complicated for older people who’ve been doing the same thing for a long time.

In this week’s “Take charge, Your Career”, HLN money expert Clark Howard meets a woman who’s looking to make a change after 25 years.

Comments ()
This house in Rochester, New York is listed at $64,900.

Seven houses you can buy for the cost of a car

By Dave Siff
updated 10:03 AM EDT, Thu March 14, 2013
Comments ()
Saving for a rainy day

Clark Howard: How to build that rainy day fund

By Aikeem Hunter
updated 1:33 PM EDT, Mon March 11, 2013
Rainy days can put a dent in your wallet. But HLN's money expert Clark Howard explains ways you can take control of your finances during unforeseen emergencies.

Comments ()
Filed under:   Your money
Most renters don't have insurance

Most renters don't have insurance

By Dave Siff
updated 9:01 AM EDT, Mon March 11, 2013
The housing market may be coming back, but the market's multi-year swoon led to a drop in home ownership and an accompanying increase in renters. More than one in three of us now rents our home. And many renters are overlooking something critical: insurance.

A new survey from InsuranceQuotes.com finds only 34% of people who rent their house or apartment have a renter's insurance policy.

Read More   |   Comments ()

Advertisement