The Clark Howard Podcast – August 22, 2025

Episode Theme: Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Supermarket Digital Pricing

Episode Overview

This episode of The Clark Howard Podcast centers on two major segments. First, Clark takes on the weekly "Clark Stinks" feature, where he addresses listener criticisms and feedback on his advice, fostering a candid and dynamic discussion about consumer topics. The second half explores the rise of digital pricing in supermarkets, dispelling myths and sharing Clark’s revised perspective on how electronic shelf labels are impacting both consumers and stores. The episode closes with rapid-fire listener Q&A on safe payment methods, auction buying, and more.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Clark Stinks: Listener Feedback and Critiques

(01:22 – 17:38)

• Walmart Pay and Payment Apps

  • Listener Ellen from PA highlights that Walmart Pay offers convenience, though not the same discounts as Target or Amazon cards.
  • Clark’s Response: Acknowledges the convenience factor. Emphasizes he was comparing discount cards, not the mobile pay platforms.

    “Walmart Pay is, as you said, a convenience service like me tapping to pay with my phone.” (03:39)

• Amazon vs. Walmart Pricing and Strategies

  • Alex from GA ran Clark-inspired price checks and found that, for his subscription products, Amazon beat Walmart most of the time.
  • Another listener, David in CA, adds that leaving Amazon cart items for a week or two can trigger discounts, and notices "competition at work" as Amazon and Walmart seem to price match dynamically.
  • Clark’s Response: Praises the effort and reiterates that strategic comparison shopping saves money but can be item-specific.

• Subscription Cancellation via Registered Mail

  • Donna from CA disputes Clark’s prior advice about needing "registered mail" for some cancellations, suggesting he meant "certified mail," which is cheaper and more common.
  • Clark’s Response: Explains the practice originated with home security contracts that do sometimes require the more cumbersome registered mail, a tactic he decries as anti-consumer.

• Impacts of Cruise Tourism on Destinations

  • Susan from MN laments how cruise groups overwhelm tourist sites; calls the cruise influx “overwhelming.”
  • Clark’s Response: Acknowledges the issues, sharing personal anecdotes about crowding at international attractions and admits that large ships can “overwhelm the attractions.”

    “The very large cruise ships that now are going into a lot of ports overwhelm the attractions that people would go to see. Can’t disagree with that at all.” (09:16)

• Women in the Trades and Occupational Hazards

  • Marion from NC urges Clark to discuss how trades impacts women, noting both the physical demands and the need to plan for career longevity.
  • Clark’s Response: Agrees there’s a labor shortage and that physical tolls are an issue; acknowledges making the trades more accessible and sustainable, especially for younger generations and women.

• Critical Illness Insurance

  • Jarrett from WI, a cancer survivor, offers a counterpoint: critical illness insurance was vital for their family.
  • Clark’s Response: Empathetic, but maintains such policies should be a supplement to core insurances (life, disability) due to limited consumer funds.

    “If any of these things happen to someone, you’re so grateful… But… I want people to concentrate first on having the insurance that’s much in greater need...” (12:42)

• Credit Card Lounge Access (Capital One Venture X)

  • Eli from MN notes Clark recently left out details regarding continuing lounge access benefits.
  • Clark’s Response: Confirms that Capital One lounges remain a “class act,” especially for solo travelers, though guest policies are less generous now.

• Philosophy of Clark Stinks

  • Clark celebrates the open challenge and feedback loop:

    “It allows me to fill in details… to broaden my depth of knowledge... because what I’m about is that we all help each other.” (15:58)

2. Supermarket Digital Pricing: Hype vs. Reality

(19:11 – 25:28)

• Clark’s Initial Concerns

  • Admits he originally feared digital shelf tags would be used for "surge pricing"—increasing costs on paydays or weekends.

• How Digital Pricing Actually Works

  • Real-world impact has been positive:
    • Allows stores to quickly and automatically discount perishable items as they near expiration, reducing waste and passing savings to consumers.
    • Pricing on same-day, highly perishable items (e.g., bakery goods) can drop throughout the day.
    • System ensures that the shelf price matches the register every time.

• Consumer Benefit

  • So far, electronic pricing is “the ultimate win for you, win for the store,” countering initial skepticism.
  • The only “loser” is that less food may be donated to food banks as more gets sold.

  “It’s actually working for them, getting a lower amount of money, but getting it sold for money instead of thrown out. And at the same time, you’re getting a lower price.” (22:20)

• Accuracy and Integrity

  • Eliminates discrepancies where shelf and register prices misalign; what you see is what you pay—or less.

3. Listener Q&A Highlights

Safe Payment Methods for Small Vendors

(25:28 – 29:41)

• Venmo, Cash App: Best Practices
  • Clark reiterates his dislike of Zelle due to weak consumer protections and cross-account risk.
  • Recommends using separate bank accounts, at different institutions, for peer-to-peer payment apps to isolate potential fraud.
  • Adds: Always use biometric logins and confirm recipient details before transferring money.

  “You do not want your regular bank account at risk where a criminal gets at the money and takes it from you.” (28:09)

Caution on Buy Now, Pay Later Offers

(29:41 – 30:41)

• Expansion into Credit Unions
  • Listener is dismayed that his credit union now pushes BNPL options on groceries.
  • Clark calls this a “despicable practice,” expressing disappointment in both big banks and credit unions for normalizing short-term consumer debt.

Auctions: Opportunity or Danger?

(30:41 – 33:21)

• Staying Disciplined
  • Auctions can yield great deals if you set (and stick to) a strict price ceiling. Emotional bidding is risky.
  • Know your temperament: self-discipline is crucial to avoid overpaying.

  “If you set preset what your pain point is and stick to it... go for it.” (31:00)

Bargain Hunting and Family Anecdotes

• Clark and co-host share stories about their kids’ frugal apartment setups and using ClarkDeals.com to score online furniture and electronics bargains.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cruise Crowding:

  “There’s 9,000 people on these ships, including the crew. That’s a lot of people dumping out all at once into a port.” (09:10) – Clark

• On Digital Grocery Shelf Labels:

  “The price moves are down, not up. I don’t know of any examples... so far it’s not playing that way. It’s the ultimate win for you, win for the store, and that’s great.” (23:43) – Clark

• On Payment App Safety:

  “Always set up a separate account for them at a different institution... so that your regular one doesn’t have the ability to go in and help the criminal along.” (28:17) – Clark

• On Critical Illness Insurance:

  “The chances that you become disabled during your working lifetime are three times greater than you dying… And almost nobody buys disability insurance.” (13:41) – Clark

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Clark Stinks Listener Feedback: 01:22 – 17:38
• Digital Pricing at Supermarkets: 19:11 – 25:28
• Safe Payments (Venmo/Zelle advice): 25:28 – 29:41
• BNPL & Credit Unions: 29:41 – 30:41
• Auctions—How to Approach: 30:41 – 33:21

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Clark maintains his frank, self-deprecating, and practical tone throughout, emphasizing consumer empowerment and transparency. Listener participation is celebrated—even when critical—because it sharpens and deepens the advice offered to the whole audience. The message: Be vigilant, comparison shop, protect your finances, and don’t forget the basics—save more, spend less, and avoid ripoffs.