The Clark Howard Podcast

Date: September 24, 2025
Episode: The Geography Of Retirement / Fast Food Value Wars
Host: Clark Howard

Overview

This episode centers on two main topics: the geographic realities of retirement costs in the US (and abroad), and how fast food chains are responding to inflation-driven price hikes and "buyer strikes" with increasing discount tactics. As always, Clark addresses listener questions covering topics like safe gifting to 529 accounts, credit/debit card options for aging parents, insurance traps, and smart tips for maximizing deals while dining out.

Clark’s mission to help individuals save more, spend less, and avoid rip-offs runs through the entire episode, with practical, sometimes light-hearted advice, and real-life stories from listeners and his own life.

Main Segment 1: The Geography of Retirement

Key Insights

• Retirement Savings Needs Vary Widely by Geography
  Where you choose to live in retirement is one of the biggest factors in how much you need to save.
  • Example: Living in Hawaii (most expensive state) is roughly three times the cost of living in West Virginia (cheapest state).
  • Large clusters of both high- and low-cost states make the differences dramatic.
  • "A lot has to do with the lifestyle you’re used to living." (Clark, 01:26)
• Moving Abroad for Retirement
  • Significant numbers of Americans are relocating abroad for retirement to stretch their dollars, though Clark notes this is still "a bridge too far" for many.
  • Anecdote: Clark’s friend, unable to save much, plans to retire outside the US because it’s much cheaper—despite family roots.
• Regional Moves Within the US
  • Many retirees move from expensive to more affordable states within the US.
  • Example: Massachusetts to New Hampshire is about 40% cheaper (06:01).
• Consider Family, Friends, and Amenities
  • It’s critical not to sacrifice social connection for cost savings, and some high-cost areas do have valuable advantages (e.g., premium medical care in Massachusetts).

Notable Quotes

• “It’s three times more expensive to live in the most expensive state… than the cheapest state in the country.” — Clark (05:17)
• “Most of us are going to want to stay in the US… But there’s such a giant difference in what it costs from one place to another.” — Clark (03:22)
• “If you can tell, I am so cold-phobic. I just do not deal well with cold weather.” — Clark (07:16)

Listener Questions & Practical Tips

1. Gifting to 529 Accounts (08:01)

• Question: Are 529 gift websites (like Ugift529.com) legit?
• Clark’s Advice:
  • Ugift is legitimate and fee-free, but he prefers giving directly to parents (check or cash) due to risks with mailing checks and sharing banking info online.
  • “Mailing checks is so hazardous, so dangerous. … You don’t mail checks.” — Clark (09:21)

2. Financial Tools for Aging Parents (09:49)

• Question: How to protect a parent with declining judgment against fraud and overspending?
• Clark’s Tip:
  • Use a Discover Bank online checking account with a Discover debit card, loaded only with what the parent can afford to lose. Good for both seniors and kids who lack "money maturity."
  • This is a rare case he advocates debit card use.
  • “The amount that hits your pain point… and you replenish it on a schedule that’s reasonable.” — Clark (10:32)

3. Insurance Trap: Roadside Assistance as a Claim (11:48)

• Listener Story: Using insurance for a tow appeared as a claim and increased premiums.
• Clark’s Warning:
  • Never add or use roadside assistance via your insurance—it counts as a claim, hurts your insurance rates for 3–5 years, and is “a trap.”
  • Instead, use services like AAA.
  • “It is a trap. It is an unethical, dishonest, crooked practice...” — Clark (12:53)

Main Segment 2: Fast Food Value Wars

Key Insights

• Inflation’s Impact on Fast Food
  • High inflation has outpaced wage growth, especially hitting middle and lower-income Americans.
  • Fast food prices have surged—combos that used to be $4.99 are now $8.99 or more in many places (some cities even $15.99).
  • “You just feel it because you remember—hey, I used to buy that combo for $4.99 and now it’s $8.99 or $10.99.” — Clark (18:38)
• Fast Food Traffic is Down, Value Wars Begin
  • People are spending less—“buyer strike”—so chains are responding with discounts, but only through their apps.
  • Actionable Tip: Download fast food apps for exclusive deals and discounts.
  • Applies even to chains like Starbucks (“that hot, dark stuff called coffee”—21:45).
• Restaurant Economics
  • Chains now forced to offer deeper discounts to boost customer visits, sacrificing margins due to high fixed costs.
  • “You can’t keep the doors open with the lower amount of traffic.” — Clark (20:37)

Memorable Moment

• Clark recounts the first (and only) time he drank coffee, as a charity stunt:
  • “We raised extra money for a children’s cancer center by my drinking coffee.” — Clark (22:06)
  • “Every time somebody threw a pie in my face, we raised a hundred dollars for children in foster care.” — Clark (22:27)

More Listener Q&A and Stories

1. LLC for Rental Property & Using a Trust (23:24)

• Clark advises owning each rental property in its own LLC for liability protection, unless your mortgage forbids it (then get robust insurance).
• Trusts are helpful in states with complicated probate or complex family situations—hire a wills/estate attorney if your situation or assets are complicated.
• “If you have developed a decent amount of assets… you go to lawyers that specialize in those things.” — Clark (25:18)

2. Maximizing 5% Cash Back on Utility Payments (26:30)

• Overpay utilities (if they allow it) during high-cash-back periods to maximize rewards—most utilities are fine with it, but often cap overpayments.
• “If your utility will allow you to significantly overpay and get the big reward… go for it.” — Clark (27:10)

3. Listener Strategy for Restaurant Family Deals (27:41)

• Jim from South Carolina shares a story of maximizing “kids eat free” and coupons by splitting the family across two tables—his family was embarrassed but he saved big.
• Always tip based on the full value, not the discounted amount.
• “When you get a great deal, it doesn’t come out of the height of the server.” — Clark (28:47)

4. Clark’s Own Deal-Gone-Wrong at a Restaurant (29:09)

• Clark tells a personal story about being denied a promised gift card deal at a restaurant for a large family gathering—felt so burned he never returned.
• “Paid that bill for the 14 of us. Have I ever been back? Never. Never ever. Not ever been back.” — Clark (30:11)
• He emphasizes not taking consumer frustrations too personally and using market power (shopping elsewhere) instead of naming and shaming.

Closing Messages

• Clark’s Motto: "I want to share with you knowledge that gives you power back in your life that gives you control back in your life… so you save more and spend less and never, never, not ever let anybody rip you off." (32:38)
• Health Note: Recognizes that fast food isn’t the healthiest, but points out that many do offer salads now.
• Invites listeners to join the ongoing conversation at Clark.com.

Key Timestamps

• Retirement by State Cost Differences: 03:20–07:58
• 529 Gift Website Legitimacy: 08:01–09:48
• Financial Tools for Aging Parents: 09:49–11:48
• Insurance/AAA Tow Story: 11:48–16:07
• Fast Food Value Wars Begin: 18:29–21:54
• Clark’s Charity Coffee and Pie Story: 21:54–23:12
• LLCs, Trusts, and Rental Property: 23:24–26:30
• Maximizing Credit Card Cash Back: 26:30–27:41
• Listener Restaurant Deal Strategies, Clark’s Experience: 27:41–31:39
• Closing Empowerment and Final Words: 32:02–33:51

Notable Quotes

• “It is a trap. It is an unethical, dishonest, crooked practice of the auto insurers…” — Clark, re: roadside assistance claims (12:53)
• “Download the apps of whatever place you like to go to… the discounting through the apps is dramatically increasing.” — Clark (20:13)
• “Have a great day and we’ll see you on Friday with Clark Steaks.” — Clark (34:00)

This episode is packed with actionable financial wisdom, practical consumer strategies, and Hallmark Clark Howard wit—empowering listeners to make smart choices, whether planning for retirement or just grabbing a cheap burger.