The Clark Howard Podcast — February 6, 2026

Episode: Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Housing Market Predictions

Overview

In this episode, Clark Howard dedicates the first half to “Clark Stinks,” responding to listener critiques, clarifying advice, and expanding on hot questions about taxes, travel insurance, retirement, HSAs, auto insurance tracking, and more. The second half shifts to Clark’s 2026 housing market predictions, highlighting a shift toward buyers, inventory trends, and future prospects for first-time homebuyers. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire listener questions about insurance, international travel, and booking strategies.

1. Clark Stinks: Listener Critiques and Clark’s Responses

(01:05 – 19:41)

Tax Filing & IRS Free Fillable Forms

• Listener (Bonnie, Missouri): Criticizes Clark for not mentioning IRS Free Fillable Forms, which are different from income-based Free File—these are browser-based, available to all, not just lower incomes.
  • Clark (02:37):

    “I never really talk about the free fillable forms available at irs.gov because overwhelmingly people file electronically now. ...You’re right, this is a free way for you to do that.”

    • Clarifies Free File (income-based, with third-party providers) vs. Free Fillable (DIY, not income-based).

Travel Insurance: Cruise Lines vs. Independent Providers

• Listener (Alex, Florida & Mark, Florida): Disagree with Clark’s warning about buying travel insurance from cruise/tour companies instead of independents, emphasizing medical coverage. Mark shares a hack to minimize trip value to just buy medical coverage.
  • Clark (04:47):

    “The trip coverage [from cruise lines] does not cover you because it’s not real insurance. ...That’s why I want...trip insurance from an independent insurance company that covers supplier default.”

    • Acknowledges the value of annual travel medical policies for older travelers.
    • Recommends buying annual medical policies if you travel a lot.

Health Updates & Prostate Cancer Awareness

• Listener (Dave, Indiana): Credits Clark’s health updates and PSA testing advice for catching his own cancer early.
  • Clark (07:36):

    “Men tend to ignore their health. ...[Prostate] cancer ...has now leveled off and started to rise again because men are not getting tested. ...Prostate cancer is a silent killer.”

    • Stresses the importance of routine screening and active surveillance.

Fidelity Target Date Funds

• Listener (Seth, Indiana): Clarifies there are five different Fidelity Target Date funds, not just two.
  • Clark (10:40):

    “I wasn’t aware that Fidelity was having their target funds have babies and there’s now five of them. ...I want just the simple Fidelity Freedom Target Date Index Fund—the simplest, lowest cost of the five.”

HSA Funds: Save or Spend?

• Listener (Tim, Ohio): Critiques Clark’s emphasis on hoarding HSA funds, noting poor inheritance treatment; uses his for current medical bills.
  • Clark (12:03):

    “Almost nobody...invest[s] their HSA money...and defer[s] the use of it for years ... An HSA is not like a Roth...a Roth is a great asset to inherit, HSA...terrible assets to inherit.”

    • Validates listener’s point and explains his reasoning relates to long-term healthcare cost trends.

Car Insurance Tracking Devices

• Listener (Eric, South Carolina): Warns against reliance on insurance tracking devices/apps—labels them as questionable discount ploys, especially “hard braking” events.
  • Clark (14:20):

    “There’s a lot of lack of trust in these apps. ...I’ve been excited more recently by insurance that instead of tracking your driving, only tracks how many miles you drive.”

    • Also warns about apps selling driving data without disclosure.

Bank vs. Brokerage CDs: Auto-Renewal Trap

• Listener (Pete, Massachusetts): Cautions that banks frequently auto-renew CDs at low rates, while brokerages usually offer competitive rates.
  • Clark (16:01):

    “One of the really terrible practices that banks engage in is where they count on your inertia...the rate may go from 4% to 0.4% at renewal. ...Do not auto renew any bank or credit union CD.”

Social Security Timing for Couples

• Listener (Doug, Minnesota): Reminds Clark to emphasize that delaying Social Security helps the surviving spouse, not just the individual.
  • Clark (17:42):

    “The big risk with Social Security is not that you die too soon, it’s that you live longer than you expect. ...It’s when you’re in your 80s, 90s or past 100. That’s what I’m really worried about.”

    • Notes widespread debate and sensitivity around Social Security timing.

2. Clark’s Housing Market Predictions for 2026

(23:04 – 30:52)

State of the Market

• Clark (23:04):

  “The housing market is not a market—there are micro markets, even within a metro area. ...But this is a transition year. ...For the first time in years, there are far more sellers than buyers.”

  • Home prices have stalled.
  • More buyers are walking away from contracts.
  • Incentives, concessions, and price reductions are increasingly common.

Shift in Buyer/Seller Dynamics

• Clark (24:00):

  “You as a buyer who gave up and said, ‘looks like I'm going to be a renter forever’—this is the first year, year since the hopeless thing for a buyer has come to an end.”

  • The balance has shifted from a strong seller’s market to neutral/buyer-favored.

Factors Driving Change

• Pent-up inventory due to:

  • Homeowners with ultra-low interest rates staying put.
  • Older owners delaying downsizing.
  • Life events (death, divorce, relocation) unlocking supply.

• New home builders are offering “enormous incentives,” including mortgage subsidies.

  • Caution: If you overpay but get a low-rate mortgage, you need to stay at least 7–8 years to avoid negative equity.

Policy & Economic Pressures

• The administration is trying to lower mortgage rates further:

  “It’s clear that the administration is going to do what they can to try to manipulate mortgage rates down. They’re already down some...and more favorable as well.”

• Clark anticipates a trend of “thawing” inventory and improving affordability through 2026–2028.

3. Rapid-Fire Listener Questions

(30:52 – 37:11)

Umbrella Insurance (30:52)

• Listener (Shannon, Montana): Confused when her agent asked if she wanted umbrella insurance for auto or house—she thought one umbrella covered all.
  • Clark (31:19):

    “I’m totally befuddled because I’ve never heard...where the umbrella was not written to cover as an overlay for liability on home, auto, [etc.]...I’d appreciate if we hear from insurance agents under what circumstances somebody would have to buy more than one umbrella.”

Phone Travel Tips & Backup Devices (32:11)

• Listeners (Joe, NY & Scott, PA):
  • Is Mint Mobile okay for travel in Europe?
  • Does Clark travel with a spare phone? How should it be set up?
  • Clark (32:41):

    “Yes, I do have an older phone that I travel with as an emergency ... My wife dropped her iPhone—fortunately I had the backup phone.”

    • Mint Mobile’s “Minternational” pass existed but had technical problems a year ago—buyer beware.
    • Recommends buying a local SIM or using eSim for multi-week trips.
    • “Make sure you have a WhatsApp account” for overseas communications.

Prepaying Hotels to Lock Exchange Rates? (35:55)

• Listener (Bonnie, Ohio): Considering prepay hotel in euros now to lock exchange rate; worried about nonrefundable bookings.
  • Clark (36:21):

    “I never like nonrefundable hotels unless I’m going somewhere that day or the next day. ...Book a prepaid refundable hotel room ... Then re-shop that hotel in August or September ... only thing I would not do is anything nonrefundable.”

    • Recommends hotel/travel booking portals with refunds so you can cancel and rebook at better rates.

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clark on housing buyers:

  “This is the first year since the hopeless thing for a buyer has come to an end.” (24:00)

• Clark on annual medical insurance:

  “Annual medical travel policies are great because your US-based health insurance generally will not cover you outside the United States.” (05:52)

• On the dangers of car insurance tracking:

  “What they call risky hard braking, I call defensive driving.” (13:19, Eric)

• On umbrella insurance confusion:

  “Your post is the first time I’ve ever heard that in 39 years.” (31:19)

• Clark’s unwavering buy-low advice:

  “I want just the simple Fidelity Freedom Target Date Index Fund—the simplest, lowest cost of the five.” (10:40)

• PSA for men’s health:

  “Men tend to ignore their health. ...Prostate cancer is a silent killer.” (07:36)

5. Episode Highlights with Timestamps

• Clark Stinks - Tax forms: 02:02–03:45
• Travel insurance debate: 03:45–06:54
• Prostate cancer awareness: 06:54–09:37
• Target date fund confusion: 09:37–10:40
• HSAs - Save vs Spend: 11:30–13:19
• Car insurance tracker warnings: 13:19–15:40
• Auto-renew CD warnings: 15:40–16:51
• Social Security timing for couples: 16:51–18:59
• Housing market predictions: 23:04–30:52
• Umbrella insurance confusion: 30:52–32:11
• Phone travel tips: 32:11–34:41
• Prepaying hotels tips: 35:55–37:11

6. Tone & Language

Clark’s tone throughout is conversational, occasionally self-deprecating, and focused on clarity and practical advice. He acknowledges listener corrections, often with appreciation or good-natured humor, e.g. “I wasn’t aware that Fidelity was having their target funds have babies…” or “Your post is the first time I’ve ever heard that in 39 years.” He keeps the atmosphere light while delivering actionable, detailed information.

Bottom Line

This episode is a deep dive into financial pitfalls and strategies, blending listener critique with Clark’s signature empowering advice. Key takeaways include: the housing market’s historic tilt towards buyers, vigilance for financial product pitfalls (insurance, CDs, investment funds), and a strong reminder that the details—and questioning common wisdom—really matter for your financial health.