Podcasts · The Clark Howard Podcast

11.04.26 Mindful Shopping / RECALL: Vehicular Spontaneous Combustion

4 Nov 2026 · 38 min

Avoid Holiday Shopping Traps & The Dangerous Car Recall You Can’t Ignore

In this episode, Clark shares his simple, battle-tested trick to stop impulse spending during peak holiday shopping season – including his hands-only shopping cart rule that will save you money both online and in stores.

Also, have you heard about how some cars are bursting into flames? And do you know how to check if your vehicle has any sort of recall? With over 3.5 million vehicles currently under critical "park outside" fire risk recalls, Clark breaks down why driver response rates are dangerously low, why gas vehicles (not just EVs) are catching fire, and how ignoring this warning could cost you your home.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the November 4, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

• Mindful Shopping: Segment 1 • Ask Clark: Segment 2 • Wheels On Fire: Segment 3 • Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

• The Secret Perk of Abandoning Your Online Shopping Cart • 4 marketing tricks to not fall for this holiday season • Gadgets Are Going Premium—and Manufacturers Are Raking It In - WSJ • Sub-$100 smartphones becoming a rarity as AI memory prices soar • Why This Is the Worst Time of the Year To Buy an iPhone • We Just Got Married. How Do We Blend Our Finances? • BBB-File a Complaint • Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment • The Center for Auto Safety - Recall-Check • Consumer Reports: Best New SUVs and Cars for Under $30,000 • How to Buy a New Car: 5 Smart Steps To Get the Best Deal • The Best Car-Buying Services - Clark Howard • 9 Things You Should Always Buy Used - Clark Howard • When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Give Out Your Social Security Number

Clark.com resources:

• Episode transcripts • Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark • Clark.com daily money newsletter • Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275

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Links in the notes 20

• https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/well/buy-nothing-saying-no-to-new-athas.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20260921&instance_id=182278&nl=the-morning&regi_id=167197565&segment_id=226815&user_id=678536ef9264ab3bef5c2b29ec0ded3e
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/08/17/they-were-told-park-outside-then-their-cars-burst-into-flames/
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/08/28/whats-really-driving-recalls-cars-risk-bursting-into-flames-its-not-evs/
• https://clark.com/ask
• https://clark.com/shopping-retail/the-secret-perk-of-abandoning-your-online-shopping-cart/
• https://www.npr.org/2025/11/26/nx-s1-5604808/4-marketing-tricks-to-not-fall-for-this-holiday-season
• https://www.wsj.com/tech/gadgets-are-going-premiumand-manufacturers-are-raking-it-in-2fa1130e?st=vhu4FM
• https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/cheap-china-smartphones-rare-memory-ai-costs.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioscloser&stream=top
• https://clark.com/cell-phones/time-buy-apple-iphone/
• https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/we-just-got-married-how-do-we-blend-our-finances/
• https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
• https://www.autosafety.org/recall-check/
• https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-new-cars-under-30000-dollars-a6574737993/
• https://clark.com/cars/how-buy-new-car/
• https://clark.com/cars/best-car-buying-services/
• https://clark.com/save-money/buy-used/
• https://clark.com/scams-rip-offs/10-worst-places-give-your-social-security-number/
• https://clark.com/
• https://app.podscribe.ai/series/3743