CLARKONOMICS: The latest retail sales figures are in and show the warehouse clubs and discounters including Wal-Mart are booming. On the other hand, Target and mid-priced clothing retailers are not doing so well -- except for maybe Kohl's.

These sales stats highlight a basic fact: We are completely driven by the goal to spend less for whatever we buy. High gas prices have really chilled retail spending.

But there is a silver lining here for those interested in fashion. September should be a month of great deals on fall clothing. This has always been true, but Clark is expecting the deals this coming season to be unreal.

Of course, clothing sales don't mean much to Clark. His usual "Clarkiform" consists of a free station golf shirt, $9 shorts and socks and underwear for about $1 each. He usually aims to have his whole outfit for under $20.

Yes, some listeners may be thriftier than that because they only buy used clothing. But Clark's bias is against used casual clothing for men. He finds it's usually too threadbare for his taste.