Clark Howard's Show Notes

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:14:19 UTC

Voice.Google.com - Sign up for Google Voice FierceWireless.com - Article on Google Voice EvaluateLifeInsurance.org - Life insurance policy analysis for $75-$85 Nolo.com - Read about the patenting process FruitSeasons.com - Seasonal info to guide you ... (Read more)

Dish Network agrees to customer restitution

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:15:40 UTC

Dish Network has reached a deal with the attorneys generals of 46 states over allegations that it cheated customers during a 5-year period. The states of California, North Carolina, Illinois and Ohio are still holding out for a better settlement with... (Read more)

Are you a talkaholic who wants to save money?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:17:18 UTC

Google Voice is a free service with great promise for penny-pinchers. When you sign up for the service, you get a new phone number. That new number rings simultaneously on as many of your existing numbers as you want. (Editor's note: This service... (Read more)

Bottled water banned in Australian suburb

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:19:08 UTC

How would you like to save more, spend less and getting ripped off...by ditching bottled water? Bottled water costs around $1,400/year and represents an environmental hazard when you consider its packaging and transportation. Now Bundanoon, Aus... (Read more)

Kangaroo court arbitrator shut down by Minnesota AG

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:32:10 UTC

Minnesota's Attorney General Lori Swanson has scored a major victory for consumers by banning one company that provided kangaroo court arbitration in credit card disputes from operating in that arena. As part of your card-holder agreement, the ba... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:41:06 UTC

Gazelle.com - Get cash for your gently used electronics ClarkHoward.com - Clark's guide to free TV content online... (Read more)

See what information Google has on you

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:47:14 UTC

Google is making it possible for people to log on and see what information the company has about them. It's part of new preemptive strike against the kinds of privacy concerns so many people have in the digital era. To see your dossier, visit Goo... (Read more)

Gazelle pays you for your gently used electronics

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:56:10 UTC

Do you have gently used electronics laying around your house that you could bear to part with? Gazelle.com is one site that gives you the opportunity to turn your e-trash into cash. You simply log onto Gazelle and enter the make and model of you... (Read more)

The dangers of allowing automatic drafts from your account

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:22:33 UTC

Too often, Clark receives calls from listeners who have allowed a company to automatically deduct money from their account each month. Or perhaps they've given their checking account information to a bill collector. Both are a strict no-no, according... (Read more) <br /><div align="right">Sponsored by: <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/cxri.clarkhoward.text/shownotescat12;rr=1;pg=/shownotes/index.xml;mkt=Personalities;sz=120x30;tile=1;ord=1258782127?" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/cxri.clarkhoward.text/shownotescat12;rr=1;pg=/shownotes/index.xml;mkt=Personalities;sz=120x30;tile=1;ord=1258782127?" height=30 width=120 border=0></a> </div>

Clark explains ways to get free TV and movies online

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:35:41 UTC

Clark often talks about the benefits of watching free TV over the Internet. Yet based on the questions he's received from listeners, the consumer champ knows that he hasn't done a good job of walking people through what can be a somewhat complicated ... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:47:47 UTC

1SaleaDay.com - Offers one item for sale each day online... (Read more)

Honeymooners use the power of the web to air Expedia gripe

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:55:28 UTC

Customers are using technology to bring uncooperative companies to heel in a way that marks a new chapter in consumer empowerment. The most cited example of the past year has been Dave Carroll's United Breaks Guitars campaign. This musician ... (Read more)

Biometric fingerprint locks now available

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:06:52 UTC

Have you ever locked yourself out of the house? Clark certainly has. Now new biometric deadbolts that read fingerprints can ensure it never has to happen again. Many of the big box hardware stores have these biometric locks for sale near the keys and... (Read more)

One million strollers recalled over danger of finger loss

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:26:02 UTC

Maclaren is recalling one million umbrella strollers after twelve children have lost fingers because of a design defect involving the hinges. The British stroller company will provide customers with a retrofit kit of hinge covers to ... (Read more)

Clark extracts new money lessons from his 17-cent razor story

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:40:41 UTC

The federal government now reports that we have had 13 consecutive months of budget deficit. It's clear that we can't control federal spending. We can't even control state spending all that effectively. What we can control is how we hand... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:14:45 UTC

DonateforaCause.org - Donate your timeshare TUG2.net - Timeshare Users Group Glyde.com - New e-commerce site described as eBay for dummies TRowePrice.com - Automatic Asset Builder allows you to start a Roth IRA for as little as $50/month ClarkHoward.... (Read more)

15 million Americans may face an unexpected tax bill

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:59:59 UTC

Some 15 million Americans may face an unexpected tax bill when they file their 2009 return in April 2010. This issue stems from the overly generous tax credit implemented back in April 2009 that likely bumped up your weekly take-home pay. ... (Read more)

New e-commerce site Glyde promises eBay for dummies

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:23:55 UTC

Get ready for eBay for dummies, courtesy of a new e-commerce site called Glyde. Launched by a former eBay insider, Glyde promises to take all the hassle out of buying and selling online. Sellers can list an item -- a CD, DVD or video game, fo... (Read more)

Ground beef recall results after plant stopped E. coli testing

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:41:23 UTC

More than 500,000 pounds of ground beef was recalled late last month after two people died and estimated 500 were sickened by an E. coli outbreak, according to The New York Times. The tainted beef came from a meat-packer in Ashville, N.Y.... (Read more) <br /><div align="right">Sponsored by: <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/cxri.clarkhoward.text/shownotescat11;rr=1;pg=/shownotes/index.xml;mkt=Personalities;sz=120x30;tile=1;ord=1258782127?" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/cxri.clarkhoward.text/shownotescat11;rr=1;pg=/shownotes/index.xml;mkt=Personalities;sz=120x30;tile=1;ord=1258782127?" height=30 width=120 border=0></a> </div>

Monitor your home remotely with self-installed cameras

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:48:45 UTC

Plan to travel this holiday season yet still want to keep an eye on your home? Self-installed cameras can give you a look at your at a primary residence or vacation home when you're not there. New technology allows cameras to webcast live video ... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:29:40 UTC

Mint.com - Free online budgeting tools Wesabe.com - Free online budgeting tools BankRate.com -- See the best national rates for CDs Pingo.com - International calling cards and prepaid calling cards MagicJack.com - Unlimited calling to and from the Un... (Read more)

Credit card solicitations down while Americans reduce debt

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:55:31 UTC

Is there a connection between the problems of the United States Postal Service and the insolvency of the giant bailout banks? Consider this: As recently as three years ago, the banks sent out over 8 billion solicitations for new credit cards each... (Read more)

Nissan readies a $2,000 car for the Asian market

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:28 UTC

Coming changes in the auto market promise to save consumers thousands on new cars. Did you know that it's already possible to buy a new car at or below $10,000? A scattering of VPs (value-priced lines) can be found across manufacturers. Honda st... (Read more)

Millionaire tax no solution to closing state budget gaps

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:14:38 UTC

Could a "millionaire tax" on families earning more than $200,000 be the solution to closing state budget gaps? Not so fast, says Clark. We hear so much about the federal budget deficit. But estimates suggest that there's a combined deficit of mor... (Read more)

Federal Reserve issues new rules on gift cards

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:33:12 UTC

Gift cards stink, as anyone who has heard Clark during past holiday seasons can attest. His rationale has long been why would anyone want to take real U.S. money and turn it into fake money only good at a certain retailer or restaurant? And what... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:49:31 UTC

ClarkHoward.com - Info on student loan forgiveness for teachers and other public servants Ed.gov - More info on student loan forgiveness ClarkHoward.com - Identity theft guide ClarkHoward.com - Credit freeze guide ClarkHoward.com - Investing guide... (Read more)

Gently used or new appliances for a song on Craigslist

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:37:57 UTC

Gently used or new appliances can be a real deal on Craigslist as executive producer Christa has found. For those of you who don't know, Christa has had to replace all the major appliances in her home because of flood damage. By diligently ... (Read more) <br /><div align="right">Sponsored by: <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/cxri.clarkhoward.text/shownotescat4;rr=1;pg=/shownotes/index.xml;mkt=Personalities;sz=120x30;tile=1;ord=1258782127?" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/cxri.clarkhoward.text/shownotescat4;rr=1;pg=/shownotes/index.xml;mkt=Personalities;sz=120x30;tile=1;ord=1258782127?" height=30 width=120 border=0></a> </div>

Text message reminders to save money actually work

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:53:36 UTC

Economic researchers have found that being bombarded with text messages about saving money actually works, according to a recent Dow Jones report. It didn't matter whether the texts were positive affirmations or threats about the dangers of not ... (Read more)

Clark calms fears about his wife's bout with swine flu

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:36:43 UTC

Earlier this week, Clark's revealed how sick his wife had become after developing complications from the H1N1 virus. Today, he wants to sound a note of calm after clearly agitating listeners. Here are several stats from the Centers for Disease C... (Read more)

Verizon doing phantom $1.99 charge on wireless accounts?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:39:06 UTC

David Pogue of The New York Times has unearthed a disturbing phantom fee on some Verizon Wireless bills. It turns out certain simple keystrokes on Verizon phones will launch web applications that automatically ding your account for $1.99 a pop. ... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:36:20 UTC

FastWeb.com - Info on scholarships and financial aid ClarkHoward.com - Info on student loan forgiveness for teachers ClarkHoward.com - Sample low-cost investment funds... (Read more)

Temp agencies showing more staffing activity

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:46:30 UTC

The latest headline unemployment number has now topped 10 percent. It's entirely possible that it may rise to 11 percent still. Another indicator Clark looks at is U6, which is a more realistic measurement of unemployment, and that has topped 17 perc... (Read more)

Extended warranties unnecessary on electronics

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:17:16 UTC

Extended warranties are all the rage when you purchase electronics and many other popular items. But Clark is here to reiterate his refrain that they aren't necessary. Consumer Reports says that electronics seldom fail. In fact, TVs only ... (Read more)

Giant banks being limited on ways they can rip you off

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:24:22 UTC

The shenanigans of the giant monster mega-banks are about to come to an end next summer. Too often at an ATM, some of the biggest banks will approve a withdrawal even when you have no money. Why? They're looking to generate massive overdraft fee... (Read more)

Airline industry to be re-regulated?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:48:00 UTC

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is having a closed door meeting with labor representatives to figure out how to save the full fare airlines. Re-regulation of the industry is one of the topics up for discussion. Aren't the feds busy enough? D... (Read more)

Websites/phone numbers mentioned:

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:36:09 UTC

ClarkHoward. com - Cheap cell phone plan guide Ooma.com - Unlimited calling to and from the United States MagicJack.com - Unlimited calling to and from the United States GoSIM.com - Cheap mobile calls from abroad Pingo.com - Intern... (Read more)

Free service monitors your home for mortgage fraud

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:42:29 UTC

Is your house in danger of being stolen right out from under your nose? A new kind of mortgage fraud known as "house theft" involves criminals assuming your identity and then cashing out the value of your home. A July report from the FBI finds th... (Read more)

New guide to cheap cell phone plans

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:44:01 UTC

It seems like every week there's a new price point being set in the telecommunications world. There's an all-out war going on between the traditional Big 4 wireless carriers -- AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile -- and smaller Tier 2... (Read more)

Clark details wife's bout with swine flu

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:25:06 UTC

Sad news for the Howard family as Clark's wife is recovering after a nasty bout with the H1N1 virus. For most people, swine flu manifests itself with nausea, fever, chills and other common flu symptoms for about a week. But Lane develop... (Read more)

Black Friday deals starting early this year

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:26:40 UTC

MONEY-SAVING MOMENT: In a new retail development, Black Friday deals will be available from now throughout the remainder of the holiday season. This change comes in the aftermath of Black Friday 2008 when a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to deat... (Read more)