Clark has been reading a new book titled High Wire: The Precarious Financial Lives of American Families. Author Peter Gosselin's story dovetails very neatly with Clark's talk of the recent generational shifts that make our current economic slowdown more painful.

It's no secret that there's no longer a "lifetime contract" between employers and employees. We "rent" them and they "rent" us. Gone are the days of pensions after a lifetime of work, or the promise of employer-provided healthcare in old age. To complicate matters, people have long since stopped paying cash and now live on borrowed money.

These factors in combination make for an explosive mix that creates financial insecurity. Gosselin talks about being on a wire without a net. Think about your own life: Are you without a net? If so, are you prepared for the consequences that can come if you lose your job?

Here's Clark's advice to get things back on track in your life:

• When it comes to a house, buy with a down-payment. Go for a 30-year fixed rate loan to keep things simple.

• With cars, limit your loans to 42 months or less -- or risk being upside-down in your car.

• Do not use debt for lifestyle; it only creates obligations, not opportunities.

On the other side of the ledger, are you saving? The average American family is spending more than it takes in. But, again, what happens when you lose your job??

Clark has news about a new hip trend in frozen treats that has entrepreneurs going crazy.

Years ago, frozen yogurt was the hottest thing. More recently, it's been Cold Stone Creamery as a franchise opportunity. But Cold Stone has proven to be a big debacle.

The latest "in" thing is tart frozen yogurt. This craze started on the West Coast and is now sweeping the East Coast. The Washington Post reports that people camp out the night before a new tart frozen yogurt store opens up. However, Christa sampled some and didn't enjoy it.

So here's a special warning to entrepreneurs about jumping into the latest "can't lose" opportunity. While early adoptees may profit, the second and third waves of people who get on board often wind up losing money. Just because it's hot, that doesn't mean it's an automatic money maker. It might just burn a hole in your pocket.

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.