05.29.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Driving To Your Future
About this episode
Clark Howard addresses consumer impulse buying and its impact on long-term wealth, particularly through car purchases.
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Lane (Clark’s wife!) shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - A shocking 81% of consumers admit to routinely making impulse buys. But while small impulse buys hurt your weekly budget, there is one major lifestyle purchase that can absolutely sabotage long-term wealth: our second biggest purchase in life - a vehicle. The average cost of a car has climbed to a whopping $50,000, yet we still get tired of our rides and cycle through them too quickly. By making a single change to how, what, and how often you buy an automobile over your working lifetime—and investing those savings into the stock market instead—you could easily put an extra $250,000 directly into your pocket by the time you retire. Use our Wealth Impact Calculator to turbocharge your retirement savings today: All this and more on the May 29, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Car Buying & Your Retirement: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard Is a 401(k) Loan a Good Idea? Almost Never - Clark Howard 401(k) Loan Calculator - Clark Howard…
People in this episode
Host: Clark Howard
Guest: Lane
Topics covered
- impulse buying
- car buying
- retirement savings
- financial advice
- consumer behavior
Keywords
- impulse buys
- car cost
- retirement savings
- wealth impact calculator
- financial planning
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Clark.com, USA TODAY
Books & works: Clark Stinks, What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work?, Is a 401(k) Loan a Good Idea? Almost Never, 401(k) Loan Calculator, Why Does My Locked Credit Card Still Allow Charges?, Lost Your Credit Card? How To Place a Temporary Freeze on Your Account, How To Get a Gym Membership for Practically Free
More episodes of The Clark Howard Podcast
- 06.12.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / “Spaving” Your Way To An Empty Wallet
- 06.10.26 Automatic Retirement Accounts / Inflation Calculation
- 06.09.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss
- 06.08.26 Cut Insurance Costs / Phone Free Connection
- 06.05.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Rent: Tenant Power
- 06.03.26 Enter Entrepreneurs / Facts On Finding Unclaimed Funds
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Clark Howard Podcast podcast page.