LegalZoom.com - Find info about making a will
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Today's show featured "Best Of Clark" repeats from recent shows

Clark has long been excited about educational vouchers in our country. But these days it seems like he's alone in his beliefs. Utah voters recently shot down the nation's first universal school voucher program. The system was originally pushed through by the state legislature, and it earmarked money for every child in every public school in the state. Parents were given the option to take the funds and apply them to private school admission for their children. Under the system, children from poor families would get more money than those from rich ones. But Utah is often considered the reddest of the red states, and voters overwhelmingly threw out the voucher idea. Clark is stunned and disappointed; he's obviously also out of touch with the opinion of many Americans.

Milwaukee, Cleveland and Washington D.C. are all places where vouchers and charter schools have been popular. Clark loves the idea of parents having choice in the education of their children. He feels we spend way too much per child in public schools for the poor results we get. The problem, as he sees it, is that our educational system is a government-sponsored monopoly. In the marketplace, businesses must adapt to new conditions or go out of business. But there's really no equivalent in the schools -- and our children suffer because of it.

What's widely considered to be the world's best-run supermarket chain is about to make a long-overdue entry into the American marketplace. For years, British-based chain Tesco has resisted coming stateside because the market has been too competitive. But Tesco now is poised to open stores under the Fresh & Easy banner in California, Arizona and Nevada. Last spring, the retailer built a prototype warehouse store in California and put researchers into American homes to help determine what consumers want from their food markets. The results? Less choice and a better shopping experience! So while your average supermarket is huge, Fresh & Easy stores will be about a fifth of that size. They'll also carry 3,500 products -- a limited number that's approximately one-tenth of what other supermarkets carry. Tesco's U.S. business model will also have a heavy emphasis on fresh and organic food. The idea is that stocking a smaller number of varieties will ensure that food can be fresher. Picture a more upscale Aldi market and you'll have an idea of what Fresh & Easy will offer. Tesco hopes to have about 200 Fresh & Easy stores in slightly more than a year. Clark has high hopes for this venture, but we'll have to wait and see how everything works out.

Do you want a free pass to financial trouble? Try being among the more than 50 percent of Americans who does not have a will! In a surprising twist, Forbes recently revealed that 1 in 3 wealthy Americans doesn't have a will either. What's going on, people? Clark wants to guilt everyone into having a will. Did you know that if you have minor children and don't have a will, the state can take your kids away at the time of your death and decide who gets them? They could go to a stranger or a relative who can't get their life together. Likewise, the state can decide who gets your money if you die and don't have a will. It could go to a family member you don't like, while your spouse may only get 10 cents on the dollar.

If you made a will years ago, you may need to dust it off and update it. You can do this yourself if your financial situation isn't too complicated. You can also go to a site like LegalZoom.com or try the highly respected WillMaker software. But you should go to a specialist if you have substantial money to protect. Retirement savings really need close attention. The beneficiary designation on your 401(k) or IRA accounts will trump whatever you have in your will. So check those designations carefully! One final note: California may be the exception to the rule that living trusts are not useful and should be avoided. That's because the Golden State has a very corrupt probate system. Some lawyers have even been able to arrange guaranteed revenue for themselves as a percentage out of someone's estate. If you own real estate in California and live elsewhere, you may want to hold it in a trust to avoid these corrupt probate courts.

People often assume the house you own is a ticket to wealth. But the reality is that the more you spend on your home, the less wealthy you'll be in the long run. Houses depreciate, they do not appreciate. The land they sit on may go up in value, but the houses themselves decline. One of the keys to gaining wealth is trying to keep your housing expenses low. Forbes has analyzed all the major markets in the nation and come up with a unique list of the Most Affordable Places To Live Well. The emphasis on the last three words is what's really important here. These are all places that offer affordable housing, great cultural opportunities, exceptional quality of life and a low cost of living.

So what's the top city? Minneapolis! The editors at Forbes obviously don't know about the winter in Minnesota! Indianapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio also made the cut. So that means 7 of the Top 10 selections are Midwestern cities. Several emerging Sun Belt cities also round out the list. Houston, Dallas and Atlanta -- 3 of the nation's fastest growers -- are unlike the others in that they come with some traffic and air pollution problems. The one common link among all 10 cities is that housing is a deal. Being wealthy involves limiting the amount you spend on the roof over your head, the taxes on that roof and all the assorted utility bills every month.