Clark has talked a lot about how safe paying bills electronically really is, but people are often still skeptical. He went to a computer expert to ask just how safe it really is to add some certainty to his claim. One thing you can do is check for the “master lock” symbol at the bottom of the screen while you’re on the site. That lock means the server is scrambling of the data through encryption. It also means that you’re with the right site and the information on it is true. The address should read “https” instead of “http,” which means the server is secure. Some criminals have figured out a way to mimic the “https” address, but when you see that site lock you are A-OKAY.

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Clark was excited to read a Reuters story recently about how to deal with insurance companies and adjusters. It’s especially important with hurricane season upon us. Adjusters can get very jaded in this business because so many people are trying to scam the system. So, the No. 1 suggestion is to be polite. If you get on the phone with an adjuster and start mouthing off, you will get nowhere. You can be polite and stay clear about what you want. Video taping your possessions and storing the tape in a fireproof safe is another great thing to do. It builds trust with the adjuster and is just a smart thing to do. Also, if you have a particular insurance agent, be sure to stay in contact with this person. He or she can be a great ally. Also keep in mind that insurance companies are regulated by states. If you’re having trouble with a company, contact the state insurance department. Don’t wait too long. You want to call as soon as you get signals that the insurer is going to be difficult.

The American people have been taking on a huge level of mortgage debt in recent years. The amount of debt has gone up by about 70 percent in the past five years, yet home values haven’t gone up nearly that much. It means we’ve been taking on large amounts of debt, and it’s the wrong type of debt. Two out of three dollars is floating rate debt instead of fixed rate, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America. Part of the problem is that people are taking out risky, interest only loans and creating risk for themselves. The only time it makes sense to take out these exotic loans is if you plan to be in a house for a very long time. And, even then, you may have to pay a pre-payment penalty. It’s simple to borrow for a home in ways that make sense. There are 5/1 ARMS and 7/1 ARMS, which give you a fixed rate for 5 or 7 years. These are the only safe product for a short-term residence. And, don't sign up for 40-year loans, which are all over the market today.

Consumer sentiment is quite low right now. Everybody knows that natural disasters happen. But the American people expect that our country has its act together and solves problems when they happen. That definitely didn’t happen. And now Americans are starting to wonder why we rely on government to do anything. It’s like we’ve wrapped ourselves up in red tape. Clark has a different take on the matter. He thinks we’ll have it more together next time because everyone in government is so embarrassed.

Heating your home this winter is going to be pretty costly. Home heating oil is going to be 34 percent more expensive. Natural gas is going to be 50 percent more expensive. And, electricity will go up about 11 percent. But there are things you can do to keep more of your money. First of all, check the insulation in your attic. Your No. 1 priority is to make sure the insulation in your attic is sufficient. Also, it may be time to replace your inefficient furnace. Clark normally doesn’t recommend this extreme purchase, but costs are going to go up so much this winter it may be worth it. Weather stripping or caulking is also very helpful and you reap the benefits right away. Clark also recommends heating the rooms where you spend most of your time with electric space heaters instead of turning on the heat as usual. Electricity hasn’t gone up nearly as much as natural gas, so it may be smart.

When buying a used car, it’s key that you do your homework because you’re buying the car “as is.” That means that you’re buying the car and whatever problems may go along with it. Rarely, a used car will still be under warranty. But most used cars are not, and you want to know what has happened with that car. The BBB has just released a warning about all of the flood cars coming out of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi in the weeks and months after Katrina. They are being stripped and resold without people ever knowing they were flooded. And a flood car will not ever be okay. So, the first thing you do is have an independent mechanic check out the car. Make sure the mechanic is ASE certified. Also, do a Carfax report on a car. That is the 1-2 punch to give you information on car and its title history. A clean Carfax report doesn’t necessarily mean you are safe. But together they will prevent you from getting a lemon. And beware of these cars coming into the marketplace in a year or so.