Summary of The Clark Howard Podcast Episode (August 15, 2025)

In this engaging episode of The Clark Howard Podcast, host Clark Howard delves into a variety of listener criticisms and questions, demonstrating his commitment to transparency and consumer advocacy. The episode primarily focuses on addressing listener concerns in the "Clark Stinks" segment and culminates with a critical discussion on Hertz's controversial AI-driven car rental practices. Below is a detailed overview of the episode's key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions.

1. Introduction

Clark Howard opens the episode by reiterating his mission to empower listeners with financial advice and information. He briefly mentions his websites, Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com, highlighting their continuous updates and resources available to help consumers save money and avoid rip-offs.

2. "Clark Stinks" Segment: Addressing Listener Criticisms

a. Terminology Concerns: Carol from Arizona [01:37]

Carol expresses appreciation for Clark's insights but takes issue with his use of the term "scamster" to describe scammers. She believes "scamster" sounds too benign and suggests adopting a more menacing term to accurately reflect the malicious nature of scammers.

Clark's Response [02:21]:

"Scum scammers. Pond scum. Scammers."

b. Clarification on Cruise Deal Story: Denny from Florida [02:56]

Denny critiques Clark for not providing sufficient details on how his son secured a last-minute cruise deal. He seeks clarity on whether his son scoured multiple sites or used a specific platform to find the deal.

Clark's Explanation [03:00]: Clark recounts how his son Grant and his friend Stefan, while traveling on the Amalfi Coast, found a last-minute deal on either Cruise Critic or Cruise Compete. They booked an MSC cruise for €800 each, benefiting from canceled bookings and securing a significantly discounted rate.

c. Wells Fargo Forgiveness Disagreement: Dwayne from North Carolina [04:53]

Dwayne disagrees with Clark's stance on forgiving Wells Fargo, insisting that the bank's numerous scandals warrant severe penalties, including jail time and substantial restitution.

Clark's Perspective [05:11]: Clark acknowledges the severity of Wells Fargo's misconduct, highlighting the inadequacy of federal responses. He emphasizes the detrimental impact of removing Wells Fargo entirely due to reduced competition, leaving only three major banks and harming consumers.

d. HSA Funding Frustration: Notmad from Texas [06:48]

Notmad criticizes Clark for not informing listeners about how to independently fund a Health Savings Account (HSA) through providers like Fidelity, especially when employers do not offer such options.

Clark's Encouragement [07:32]: Clark praises Notmad's proactive approach in funding an HSA at 23. He advocates for using reputable providers like Fidelity to invest HSA funds in low-cost index funds, maximizing the triple tax benefits for long-term growth.

e. Food Delivery Dispute: Tim from Missouri [09:16]

Tim is dissatisfied with Clark's response to a caller involved in a dispute over a food delivery service, feeling that Clark unfairly sided with the consumer and encouraged complaining to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Clark's Reflection [10:15]: Clark acknowledges his frustration with the ease of signing up for services versus the difficulty of cancellation. He emphasizes the importance of services providing straightforward termination processes to protect consumers from unwanted charges.

f. CD Laddering Advice Critique: Randall from South Carolina [10:51]

Randall contends that Clark's advice on setting up a CD ladder was incomplete. He suggests leveraging brokered CDs from providers like Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard to obtain the highest rates across all rungs while maintaining all funds in one place.

Clark's Agreement [12:13]: Clark agrees with Randall, acknowledging that brokerage CDs often offer higher rates and full FDIC insurance when sourced from trusted institutions. He appreciates Randall for reinforcing advice previously given on CD laddering.

g. Marriott Bonvoy Experience: Steve from Texas [12:35]

Steve shares a positive experience with Marriott's Bonvoy program, receiving a free room upgrade, contrasting Clark's general criticisms about Marriott's inconsistent honoring of loyalty benefits.

Clark's Response [13:30]: Clark expresses gladness for Steve's positive experience but notes that many loyal Marriott members have faced issues with the program's reliability. He underscores the variability in how different properties honor loyalty benefits.

h. BJ's Wholesale Selection: Daniel from New York [14:13]

Daniel critiques Clark for not fully addressing the value and quality of BJ's Wholesale's private labels, highlighting categories where BJ's excels compared to competitors like Sam's Club and Costco.

Clark's Acknowledgment [15:09]: Clark concurs, sharing his own experiences with BJ's private labels and emphasizing the importance of consistent quality. He draws parallels between BJ's Berkeley and Jensen brands and Costco's Kirkland Signature, recognizing their role in member loyalty.

i. Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper Debate: Talmadge from Georgia [15:09]

Talmadge defends Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper as the best septic-safe option, challenging Clark's previous criticisms.

Clark's Clarification [15:30]: Clark appreciates Talmadge's feedback but clarifies his stance, mentioning that while his household successfully used septic-safe toilet paper in the past, preferences vary, and personal experiences shape opinions on such products.

3. Main Discussion: Hertz's AI-Driven Car Rental Damage Scanners [16:14]

Clark shifts focus to a pressing consumer issue: Hertz's implementation of AI technology to assess and bill customers for rental car damages. He outlines the following concerns:

• Uncontrolled Damage Claims: Hertz utilizes AI scanners in busy airports to detect alleged damages, often leading to bogus or exaggerated claims. Headlines indicate instances where customers were unfairly charged for pre-existing scratches or fictitious damages detected by AI.

• Lack of Human Oversight: Unlike some European companies that manually review damage claims before notifying customers, Hertz's AI-driven approach lacks human verification, increasing the risk of erroneous charges.

• Consumer Impact: Clark shares his personal decision to cease renting from Hertz due to the potential financial risks and administrative hassles associated with disputing unjust damage claims.

• Protective Measures: He advises listeners to document the condition of rental cars through video before and after use to safeguard against false damage allegations.

Notable Quotes:

"Hertz is installing in their busiest airports and then spreading out. ... it's like they're operating like the mob." [19:00]

"You document to protect your wallet." [22:18]

4. Listener Questions and Discussions

a. Southwest Visa Priority Card Changes: Eric and Georgia [22:18]

Listeners inquire about the upcoming changes to the Southwest Visa Priority Card, including increased fees and reduced benefits.

Clark's Insight [22:47]: Clark acknowledges the devaluation of the credit card, noting that Southwest's shift towards additional fees like baggage and seat charges diminishes the card's value. He advises infrequent Southwest travelers to consider canceling the card due to the elevated annual fee and reduced benefits.

b. Hybrid Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Rider: Hunter from Florida [24:16]

Hunter seeks advice on a hybrid life insurance policy with a long-term care (LTC) rider as a strategy to secure LTC while providing a death benefit.

Clark's Analysis [25:06]: Clark explains that the long-term care insurance market has seen significant challenges, with many traditional policies becoming financially unsustainable. He highlights hybrid policies as a viable alternative, offering both LTC coverage and a death benefit if LTC is not utilized. Given Hunter's strong financial footing at age 40, Clark views this hybrid approach as a prudent way to ensure future care needs without sacrificing financial legacy.

c. Bicycle Tips and Electric Bicycles: Falcon from Nevada [27:45]

Falcon asks for Clark's recommendations on bicycle safety and his thoughts on electric bicycles (e-bikes).

Clark's Recommendations [28:21]: Clark commends Falcon for maintaining an active lifestyle with e-bikes but emphasizes the importance of safety measures, especially helmet use. He expresses concern over teenagers' safety due to high-speed e-bike usage and advocates for stylish helmets to encourage helmet adoption. Clark also praises e-bikes for extending the enjoyment and health benefits of cycling to a broader audience.

5. Conclusion

Clark wraps up the episode by reaffirming his dedication to empowering listeners with knowledge to save more, spend less, and avoid being ripped off. He encourages continued engagement through his platforms and looks forward to more insightful conversations in future episodes.

This episode underscores Clark Howard's proactive approach in addressing listener concerns, offering nuanced perspectives on financial products, consumer rights, and safety. His candid discussions, combined with actionable advice, provide valuable insights for listeners seeking to navigate complex financial and consumer landscapes.