Full Show: Avoid This Dangerous New Debt Trap in 2026 & Clark Stinks!

Описание: Happy New Year! Don’t worry, our first show in 2026 will still have Clark Stinks – just in the second half!

In the first show of 2026, Clark urges you to rethink how you make buying decisions and issue a resolution to protect your personal finances from the exploding "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) trap, often marketed as "Pay in 4." Clark highlights how irresistible deals, one-click convenience, and the ease of financing are leading consumers to focus on value and debt — not just for the holidays, but as a new routine. Also, it’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds.

All this and more on the January 2, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

Submit your opinions or questions:
https://clark.com/clarkstinks/
https://clark.com/ask/
https://clark.com/about-consumer-acti...

Mentioned on the show:
https://clark.com/personal-finance-cr...

00:00 - Intro
01:03 - Avoid This Dangerous New Debt Trap in 2026
04:54 - Ask Clark - Clark, you often recommend warehouse clubs. How do they really compare to Aldi or Lidl? If we mostly shop at Aldi and Lidl, do warehouse clubs still save money after the membership fee? (Kevin, North Carolina)
07:18 - Ask Clark -Clark, I love the podcast and listen while on the treadmill. After your episode on phone addiction, I started a digital detox—no social media six days a week. To stay motivated, I pay myself $20 each week I stick to it, and it’s working great. (Kathy, Pennsylvania)
09:46 - Ask Clark - My homeowners insurance is going up 25%. They say it’s because I don’t have a “proper mix of credit,” even with an 800+ score and no claims. Last year it went up for opening a credit card; now it’s going up because I didn’t. If Ohio tornadoes are the real reason, why not just say that? (Robin, Ohio)
12:25 - Clark Stinks - It’s often said parents don’t need life insurance on their children, but I think it can help replace income if a parent needs time to grieve. It seems like a way to reduce stress during a terrible time. (Beau, Rhode Island)
13:49 - Clark Stinks - Parents should think carefully before financially supporting adult children. When my mom passed, my sister relied on that support and needed help immediately, creating stress for everyone. Sometimes giving money doesn’t help in the long run. (Kathy, Florida)
15:57 - Clark Stinks - You’ve said cash helps people spend less, but my 18- and 21-year-olds feel the opposite. Cash feels “extra” to them, while digital spending feels more real because it’s tracked. It was an eye-opening generational difference. (Ben, Ohio)
17:21 - Clark Stinks - What should we do if travel prices are lower when browsing in incognito mode or logged out—book it quietly, screenshot and call, or call the company out publicly? (Patricia, Arizona)
18:43 - Clark Stinks - On the podcast, Christa suggested taking extra fast-food condiments to an Airbnb. That cost gets passed on to other customers. Please encourage people to take only what they need. (Tom, Alabama)
20:27 - Clark Stinks - You advised a caller to keep contributing to a 403(b) with over 1% fees instead of doing a backdoor Roth. Given how much a 1% fee compounds over time, isn’t the extra effort worth it? (Art Vandelay, Wisconsin)
22:25 - Clark Stinks - You warn about surveillance pricing, but also encourage memberships and digital payments. Convenience comes at the cost of privacy. Are we saving a few dollars now only to pay more later? (Janet, North Carolina)
26:31 - Clark Stinks - You’re very optimistic about EVs, but insurance tells a different story. Adding a Tesla would raise my premium $140 a month, while a new gas truck raised it $25. Can EV discussions include insurance costs too? (Barrett, Minnesota)

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