Clark Howard

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Click this, not that: Cyber Monday safety

Click this, not that: Cyber Monday safety

By Dave Siff
updated 10:55 AM EST, Wed November 21, 2012
Whether or not it's actually the biggest online shopping day of the year, Cyber Monday has become somewhat ubiquitous in any discussion of holiday shopping. Although the concept was born in a marketing meeting and didn't happen organically, many retailers use the Monday after Thanksgiving to offer special online-only deals, including the brass ring for many shoppers -- free shipping!

Predictions vary on just how many people will take part in Cyber Monday shopping this year. A Consumer Reports survey puts the number at 34 percent, while PriceGrabber says 41 percent. But just as important is how people will shop. And that applies any day of the year, not just on Cyber Monday.

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Lost luggage treasure trove

Lost luggage treasure trove

By Eric Goldson
updated 3:32 PM EST, Tue November 20, 2012
A travel deal that's not what you expect.

For more info on the Unclaimed Baggage Center, click here.

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Fake online reviews

Fake online reviews

By Eric Goldson
updated 12:17 PM EST, Tue November 20, 2012
How you should treat a review that looks too good to be true.

For more ways to travel the Clark-smart way, click here.

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Smart(phone) holiday shopping: Get these apps!

Smart(phone) holiday shopping: Get these apps!

By Dave Siff
updated 2:54 PM EST, Mon November 19, 2012
The goal of holiday shopping -- to find the perfect gifts for family, friends, and even ourselves -- really hasn't changed over the years. But the way we shop? That's a different story.

For those of us who still actually go to the mall, it'll never be the same, thanks to the relentless march of technology. According to a new survey, 70 percent of smartphone owners plan to use their phones for holiday shopping.

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Freedom from high cell bills

Freedom from high cell bills

By Eric Goldson
updated 1:39 PM EST, Mon November 19, 2012
A new and unusual way to cut your cell phone bill.

For more info on FreedomPop click here.  For cheap data plans from Clark, click here.

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What exactly is a 'fiscal cliff'???

What exactly is a 'fiscal cliff'???

By Alexandra Thomas
updated 12:25 PM EST, Tue November 13, 2012
There’s been a lot of talk lately about what’s known as the “fiscal cliff,” and a lot of Americans may be wondering what exactly that is, or how exactly they would be affected. Well, if there’s one thing you can count on it’s that most taxpayers in this country will be affected if a number of laws remain unchanged after December 31.

Essentially, the fiscal cliff is a package of tax increases and spending cuts that would take effect in January unless Congress passes a budget deal before then. Going over the cliff would result in a slowdown in economic growth due to a reduction in spending by consumers and the government. Economists say the results could be devastating, possibly sending the economy into recession during the first part of next year.

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Filed under:   Economy
Bank of Wal-Mart?

Bank of Wal-Mart?

By Eric Goldson
updated 12:15 PM EST, Fri November 09, 2012
A new way to bank, without a bank.

For more info on Bluebird click here.

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Wal-Mart is getting an early start on its Black Friday sales.

Wal-Mart turns back the clock on Black Friday

By Dave Siff
updated 9:57 AM EST, Thu November 08, 2012
Attention, Black Friday shoppers: The world's largest retailer is upping the ante.

Wal-Mart has announced a three-stage Black Friday event, beginning at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. That's two hours earlier than the deals began last year. And Wal-Mart is guaranteeing shoppers who show up at the right time will be able to purchase some of the most popular gifts.

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Test driving the iPad Mini

Test driving the iPad Mini

By Dave Siff
updated 9:52 AM EST, Tue November 06, 2012
Apple's new, smaller tablet, the iPad Mini, has left the nest. And while the company isn't saying how many Minis it sold in the first weekend, the event was greeted with enthusiasm, even in New York where the after-effects of Superstorm Sandy couldn't keep people from lining up before midnight outside Apple's store on 5th Avenue.

So, how does the Mini fare against its competition in the 7" to 8" tablet market, and against its big brother?

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Unemployment rate ticks up despite job gains

Unemployment rate ticks up despite job gains

By Dave Siff
updated 8:20 AM EDT, Fri November 02, 2012
In the hotly anticipated last jobs report before the presidential election, the Labor Department says employers added 171,000 new jobs in October. The gain was more than economists surveyed by CNNMoney expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9%, in line with economists' expectations.

Private employers added 184,000 jobs and government shed 13,000 jobs, the report said. Thursday, payroll processor ADP reported private employers added 158,000 jobs in October.

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