Prosper.com - A peer-to-peer lending site
ClarkHoward.com - Clark's list of other P2P lending sites
OCC.gov - File a complaint against a bank

Clark is often way ahead of the curve when it comes to money-saving vehicles.

Decades ago, he got a 3-wheeled car called the Freeway that got 100 mpg. Recently he read that an automaker named ZAP has teamed with the state of Kentucky to make an electric 3-wheeled car. The ZAP will go 40 mph and cost about 2 cents/mile to operate.

About 8 years ago, Clark bought his first hybrid -- a Honda Insight. Today, another hybrid called the Prius is in such demand that even 2-year-old models with 30,000 miles are selling for the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Last year, Clark got the Honda Civic GX -- a natural-gas vehicle. Now comes word that his new ride is the hardest car to get in the United States!

That puts Clark in a dilemma: Should he capitalize on the situation and sell his Honda Civic for more than he paid for it? Or should he keep it and continue to enjoy the tremendous fuel savings? What would a capitalist do? He'll have to run the numbers and get back to you!

How do you think other people drive? The average person would say that others are terrible behind the wheel -- while they perceive themselves as great drivers.

The average homeowner has a similar psychology when it comes to home value. The belief is that "my home has gone up in value over the last year, but surrounding homes have not," according to a Zillow.com survey.

The real danger of this kind of thinking occurs when you go to sell your home. If you believe your own hype and overprice your home, you'll probably wind up getting less than if you priced it right upfront.

Here's why: When you first list your home, you get an influx of traffic from agents and investors. If you're overpriced, agents won't bring any clients back to show your home and no investor will buy it. You become a stale listing.

If you really want to sell your home quickly, try listing at a price that's "low aggressive" -- that is, low enough below what others are offering so that you look like a bargain.

Clark learned this lesson the hard way. Back in 1996, he and his wife overpriced a home they had for sale. It took them 14 months to get the house sold and they had to carry 2 mortgages during that entire time. They wound up really having to cut the price to entice agents to bring clients around.

There's good news and bad news on the energy price front. On one hand, the price of crude oil continues to drop. On the other hand, Americans have relatively short memories! Edmunds.com reports that people have already stopped looking at small cars and are looking at larger vehicles again now that gas prices have eased up a bit. Didn't they learn anything from the pain at the pump?!

Meanwhile, a recent ABC News poll shows that two-thirds of people of all political persuasions favor offshore drilling. But if you think drilling is the "be all, end all" solution, well, Clark begs to differ. He's not opposed to it, but it does need to be part of a larger picture.

The same poll shows that less than 50% of people are in favor of opening new nuclear power plants. Perhaps the Iran syndrome -- where the pretense of peaceful nuclear policy comes with the threat of more belligerent uses -- has scared people off nuclear energy in our country.

Clark is also a fan of solar and wind power. He wouldn't be on radio if he wasn't into hot air, right?

In related news, the penny-pincher was heartened to read that many Americans are now buying Energy Star washers when it comes time to replace the old appliance. Several weeks ago, Clark even told you about a new waterless washing machine. Sound strange to you? The best solutions are often "outside of the box."

CLARKONOMICS: The rise in food prices is affecting everyone from consumers to business owners. In the latest twist, McDonald's is contemplating changing the double cheeseburger to a double hamburger with a single slice of cheese because the cost of cheese has skyrocketed!

Dollar stores are feeling pinched too. The 99¢ only chain doesn't know what to do as their margins get squeezed. Will they have to become the $1.29 store or the $1.99 store?

Clark recently bought orange juice for his kids and didn't notice the container went from 64 ozs. to 56 ozs. The packaging hadn't really changed, so it was more of a hidden price increase.

Everywhere we turn -- whether we're business owners or consumers -- we all have to cut corners. Christa's favorite fish sandwich now only has a half-slice of cheese.

The takeaway is that you have to work overtime to be a better shopper in this new economic climate.