Podcast Summary: The Clark Howard Podcast

Episode: 10.22.25 | Date: October 22, 2025
Theme: HSA Changes for 2026 & Comparing Operational Costs: EVs, Hybrids, and Gas Vehicles
Host: Clark Howard

Episode Overview

Clark Howard dives into two major personal finance topics:

1. Big changes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for 2026—new eligibility rules and strategies to maximize their long-term tax benefits.
2. The cost comparison of owning and operating electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, and gas vehicles—highlighting what's changed post-EV tax credits and how car buyers can save money.

The episode also features travel and vehicle purchase-related listener Q&A, with Clark's trademark blend of practical advice and cost-cutting tips.

Main Segment #1: Major Health Savings Account (HSA) Changes for 2026

HSA Primer & Why They Matter

• Definition: HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts letting you save and invest money for medical expenses.
• Triple Tax Advantage: Money goes in tax-free, grows tax-free, and can be spent tax-free on qualified medical costs.
• Key Point: "If your employer is offering an HSA and they will seed money to it, that money flows to you tax free.“ (Clark, 01:54)
• Most people spend their HSA contributions as needs arise, but the 'magic' happens if you can pay out of pocket and let the HSA grow, investing it for decades (ideally with a low-fee provider like Fidelity).

2026 HSA Eligibility Changes (05:30)

• Expansion: New legislation makes many more people HSA-eligible in 2026.
  • If you buy coverage on the health care exchange and choose a bronze plan (even catastrophic plans), you become HSA-eligible.
  • Direct Primary Care: Now, patients using direct primary care models (subscription-based, no insurance billing) are also HSA-eligible if properly insured.
• Clark's Emphasis: "You maybe never having thought about or been eligible for one now are potentially going to be eligible in 26 and what that actually means for you." (Clark, 01:14)

Strategy Tips & Pitfalls

• Use the HSA as a long-term investment, not just emergency cash.
• Move your HSA if your employer’s administrator charges high fees: "You have the right to move tax free…into an account with someone else. The easiest path…is moving the money to Fidelity." (Clark, 04:37)
• HSAs work best for: Entrepreneurs, individuals with discipline to invest, and anyone able to pay routine medical out-of-pocket.
• After 65: Unused HSA funds can be withdrawn penalty-free for any use (but are then taxed as ordinary income).

Notable Quotes

• “If you are in a position where you can afford to pay your out of pockets for medical…let the HSA money grow and you can invest it…the best choice I know of in America is investing your HSA with Fidelity.” (Clark, 03:20)
• “The real payoff, yeah, it’s medical because past 65…your parents are still living, how many doctor visits do they go to a month? Oh, 340.” (Clark, 08:33)
• “The HSA money is your mad money for tax free payment of medical expenses.” (Clark, 08:51)

Listener Q&A: Travel and Currency Questions

Q1: What to Do with Old Coins in a Cashless Society? (09:19)

• Advice: Pennies/silver coins often have metal or collectible value above face.
  • Option: Turn them into gift cards via coin machines.
  • Otherwise, hold for future collector value.
• Memorable Moment: “Pennies by themselves are worth more than a penny. The copper…they're worth more than the actual penny.” (Clark, 09:45)

Q2: Currency for SE Asia Travel (11:00)

• Clark’s Tips:
  • Use ATMs at bank branches in each country for the best exchange rates.
  • Bring a limited supply of new, crisp US $20 or $100 bills as backup—some rural Asian areas demand “pristine” bills.
  • In tourist/populated areas, credit cards and ATMs should suffice.
  • "You'll be able to use an ATM to get local currency...in population centers that attract tourists...credit cards are accepted all over the place." (Clark, 11:56, 13:32)

Q3: Passport Renewal Timing (13:59)

• Guidance: Renew 9 months before expiry; the State Department encourages early renewal. Many can now renew digitally, and turnaround times have improved (~4 weeks recently).
• Clark's Travel Philosophy: “I love exploration. I love being new places, meeting new people, experiencing new things. It's just the best.” (Clark, 16:52)

Main Segment #2: EV, Hybrid & Gas Vehicle Operational Cost Comparison

Post-EV Tax Credit Market Update (19:49)

• Tax Credit Gone: With the $7,500 EV credit ending, carmakers are cutting production and/or vehicle prices.
• Buyer behavior shift: There was a rush to buy EVs before September to capture the credit.

Cost to Drive 100 Miles—By Vehicle Type (20:14)

• Data from The Upshot (NY Times):
  • Electric Vehicle (EV): ~$5
  • Hybrid: Just over $6
  • Gasoline Vehicle: Just under $13
• Key Insight: “Hybrids cost just a little more to go 100 miles than an electric vehicle...but so much less than a gas engine.” (Clark, 21:03)

Hybrid vs. "Mild Hybrid" (23:38)

• Real Hybrid: Substantially bigger battery, can drive on electric alone at low speeds, saves fuel during acceleration.
• Mild Hybrid: Small battery, only supports minor functions. Dealers may misrepresent.

Clark’s Take:

• Electric cars are fun, but even if you’re not ready for one, “at least…look at a hybrid. Because the cost over time...the hybrid will save you every single time you start it up and drive that vehicle.” (Clark, 24:27)
• The extra upfront cost of a hybrid pays for itself quickly in fuel savings.

Quote: “If you pay two grand more, let's say, for the hybrid version...the hybrid will save you every single time you start it up.” (Clark, 24:45)

Listener Q&A: Car Buying and Lending

Q1: Buying from Private Car Owners (25:24)

• Clark’s Answer: It’s smart if you’re patient, knowledgeable, and able to get vehicles mechanically inspected.
• Note: Most people aren't comfortable with private-party transactions, but it's an excellent way to avoid dealer markup.
• Story: "Krista...bought a new vehicle from a private seller...each time you had it checked out...first three vehicles all failed inspection. And then…the fourth time was the charm." (Clark, 26:36)

Q2: Buying Former Rental Cars (27:05)

• Clark’s Recommendation: Used to recommend; not now.
  • Rental agencies now run cars to 40-50k miles without robust maintenance—bald tires, warning lights are common.
  • Fleet practices haven’t adjusted for longer vehicle use.
  • Also: Be wary of buying from Hertz due to aggressive, AI-driven post-rental billing.
  • “I'm paying $120 more to rent from someone else just to avoid Hertz…because of the problems people are having with Hertz sending people AI bills after their rental.” (Clark, 28:37)

Q3: What Happens if Your Auto Lender Goes Bankrupt? (30:22)

• Clark’s Advice: You still have to pay the loan; however, keep careful records.
  • Repossession processes can become tangled in bankruptcy court, but this doesn’t typically affect regular consumers keeping their payments current.
  • Refinance Tips: Credit unions are the best bet for auto loan refinancing; they typically offer lower rates than dealers or banks.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On HSAs:
  “You have the right to move [your HSA], tax free…into an account with someone else. The easiest path…is moving the money to Fidelity.” (Clark, 04:37)

• On EV Cost:
  “To drive 100 miles in an electric vehicle costs a tiny fraction of what it costs to drive a gas engine…the upshot…did an analysis…electric vehicle: $5, hybrid: just over $6, gas: almost $13.” (Clark, 21:00)

• On Car Rentals:
  “I don't advise [buying former rental cars]. They're keeping vehicles 40, 50,000 miles…the cars are a mess…tires are bald, warning lights on the dashboard...They just are not maintaining their fleets.” (Clark, 27:25)

• On Credit Unions:
  “You’re going to have a great, great day in your life the day you join a credit union where you own the place.” (Clark, 31:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• HSAs: Primer & Strategy - 00:59–08:51
• 2026 HSA Eligibility Changes - 05:30–08:14
• Q&A: Old Coins - 09:19–11:00
• Q&A: Currency Abroad - 11:00–13:53
• Q&A: Passport Renewal - 13:59–17:16
• EV/Hybrid/Gas Cost Comparison - 19:49–25:24
• Q&A: Private Car Buying - 25:24–27:05
• Q&A: Rental Car Purchase - 27:05–30:22
• Q&A: Auto Lender Bankruptcy & Credit Unions - 30:22–31:50

Tone and Style

Clark remains upbeat, practical, and focused on consumer empowerment, tying every topic back to cost savings, avoiding rip-offs, and long-term financial health. The tone is friendly, conversational, and laced with personal anecdotes to reinforce the advice.

Final Takeaways

• **HSAs are set to become an even more vital financial tool; plan ahead for 2026.
• For most drivers, hybrids or EVs are strongly favored for savings—and be wise to misleading “mild hybrid” labels.
• Be scrupulous about car buying methods and cautious with used rental cars and certain rental agencies.
• Credit unions remain a Clark Howard favorite for personal lending.

For more tips, visit Clark.com or submit your questions to the show at clark.com/askclark.