Clark Howard: Financial Well-Being Starts With Being a Smart Consumer

<p>Our guest on the podcast today is consumer advocate and personal finance expert Clark Howard. Clark has been hosting the nationally syndicated radio show and podcast <i>The Clark Howard Show</i> since 1989. He's also the author of 10 books, three of which have been <i>New York Times</i> best-sellers. He also sponsors the Consumer Action Center, which is a free resource for advice on money and consumer issues. He received his B.A. in urban government from American University, and his MBA from Central Michigan University.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Background</strong></p><p><a href="https://clark.com/about-clark/clark-howards-bio/" target="_blank">Bio</a></p><p><a href="https://clark.com/" target="_blank">Clark.com</a></p><p><a href="https://clark.com/podcasts/" target="_blank">The Clark Howard Podcast</a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clark-Howard/e/B000APHSBE?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1646083869&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Books by Clark Howard</a> </p><p><strong>Home Ownership, Debt, and Investing</strong></p><p>“<a href="https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/pay-off-debt-or-save-or-invest/" target="_blank">Should I Pay Off Debt, Save Money or Invest?</a>” by Christopher Smith, clark.com, Feb. 18, 2021.</p><p>“<a href="https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/pay-off-debt-save-money-fixed-income/" target="_blank">How to Pay Off Debt and Save Money on a Fixed Income</a>,” by clark.com staff, clark.com, Nov. 25, 2020.</p><p>“<a href="https://clark.com/homes-real-estate/key-rules-first-time-homebuyers-and-investors-real/" target="_blank">Key Rules for First-Time Homebuyers and Investors in Real Estate</a>,” by Clark Howard, clark.com, March 22, 2017.</p><p>“<a href="https://www.wokv.com/news/local/clark-howard-has-advice-if-youre-looking-buy-home-amid-pandemic/RGFON47VUNHFVKGCA53G4HACIM/" target="_blank">Clark Howard Has Advice if You’re Looking to Buy a Home Amid the Pandemic</a>,” by Sarah Thompson, wokv.com, Sept. 29, 2020.</p><p>“<a href="https://clark.com/homes-real-estate/renters-cant-afford-to-own-a-h