Podcasts · The Clark Howard Podcast
05.29.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Driving To Your Future
· 41 min
Episode 05.29.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Driving To Your Future
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Lane (Clark’s wife!) shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - A shocking 81% of consumers admit to routinely making impulse buys. But while small impulse buys hurt your weekly budget, there is one major lifestyle purchase that can absolutely sabotage long-term wealth: our second biggest purchase in life - a vehicle. The average cost of a car has climbed to a whopping $50,000, yet we still get tired of our rides and cycle through them too quickly. By making a single change to how, what, and how often you buy an automobile over your working lifetime—and investing those savings into the stock market instead—you could easily put an extra $250,000 directly into your pocket by the time you retire. Use our Wealth Impact Calculator to turbocharge your retirement savings today:
All this and more on the May 29, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show.
• Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 • Car Buying & Your Retirement: Segment 3 • Ask Clark: Segment 4
Mentioned on the show:
• What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard • Is a 401(k) Loan a Good Idea? Almost Never - Clark Howard • 401(k) Loan Calculator - Clark Howard • Why Does My Locked Credit Card Still Allow Charges? - Clark Howard • Lost Your Credit Card? How To Place a Temporary Freeze on Your Account • How To Get a Gym Membership for Practically Free - Clark Howard • USA TODAY: Why you keep impulse buying, even when broke • A Single Change to Your Car-Buying Habits Could Add $250,000 to Retirement • Calculator: Wealth Impact of Buying Cars • The Best Car-Buying Services - Clark Howard • Do I Need a Mechanic Inspection When Buying a Used Car from CarMax or Carvana? • 5 Best Places To Buy Pet Medicines - Clark Howard
Clark.com resources:
• Episode transcripts • Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark • Clark.com daily money newsletter • Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Links in the notes 20
- https://clark.com/clarkstinks/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/shopping/deals/2026/05/10/impulse-buying-tight-budgets/89959952007/
- https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/how-much-money-youd-make-in-the-stock-market-instead-of-financing-a-new-car?utm_term=4A2D071D-E9B2-45C6-8ACA-619D0608327A&lrh=72f38a53da1d858f1a5e4054a55410d9173306dca3f7de1790f09727af0cd14d&utm_campaign=231AB69E-1652-46EB-A977-6F2C6C998083&utm_medium=email&utm_content=60D28152-1B65-4F4D-837D-FDA418F0D150&utm_source=SmartBrief
- https://clark.com/wealth-impact-of-buying-cars/
- https://clark.com/insurance/health-insurance/health-savings-account/
- https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/investing-retirement/borrow-loan-401k/
- https://clark.com/401k-loan-calculator/
- https://clark.com/credit-cards/locked-credit-card-charges/
- https://clark.com/credit-cards/credit-card-freeze/
- https://clark.com/health-health-care/free-or-cheap-gym-membership/
- https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/investing-retirement/a-single-change-to-your-car-buying-habits-could-add-250000-to-retirement/
- https://clark.com/cars/best-car-buying-services/
- https://clark.com/cars/do-i-need-a-mechanic-inspection-when-buying-a-used-car-from-carmax-or-carvana/
- https://clark.com/family-lifestyle/children-pets/best-places-to-buy-pet-medicines/
- https://clark.com/
- https://app.podscribe.ai/series/3743
- https://community.clark.com/
- https://clark.com/ask/
- https://clark.com/newsletters/
- https://clark.com/about-consumer-action-center/
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