The Clark Howard Podcast

Episode: 11.03.25 – Secure Holiday Package Delivery / The Siren Song Of Debt

Host: Clark Howard
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

Clark Howard and his co-host Krista discuss two major themes:

• Keeping Your Holiday Packages Secure: With the holiday season in full swing, Clark covers the growing problem of package theft (“porch piracy”) and delivers actionable advice for safe delivery.
• The Dangers of Buy Now, Pay Later: Clark warns listeners about the rising trend and risks of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment options, recounting how easy credit can trap consumers in unmanageable debt.

The show also fielded listener questions on topics including identity theft prevention, affordable international travel, credit freezes versus VPNs, the evolving role of hospitalists in medicine, and car companies experimenting with subscription fees for vehicle features.

1. Strategies for Secure Holiday Package Delivery

[01:01–07:56]

• Rise of Porch Piracy:
  With the holidays, package theft is surging. Thieves often follow delivery trucks, targeting homes without signs of activity.
• Evasion Tactics:
  Thieves now wear disguises—masks, hats, sunglasses— to evade camera identification.
• Clark’s Recommendations:
  • Use secure delivery options (e.g., Amazon Lockers) when possible.
  • Sign up for delivery notifications (Amazon, UPS, FedEx, USPS).
  • If you work from home, monitor for approaching deliveries.
  • Consider alternate secure locations for delivery.
  • Security cameras and even visible signage can deter thieves.
• Personal Story – The Dog Deterrent:
  Krista reports never having a package stolen: "I think my dogs scare off criminals and I also think I have an obvious doorbell camera." (Krista, [05:27])
• Clark's Humor:
  “I’m scared of your dogs 12 miles away. Those are, man, anybody who tried to mess with you or mess with your house, it would not be a good day for them.” (Clark, [05:39])
• Alternative Security Ideas:
  • Get a dog (adopt!).
  • Use a locking mailbox for high-value or sensitive mail.

2. Listener Q&A: Identity Theft, Locked Mailboxes, and Secure Info

[06:26–08:50]

• Mail Theft & Identity Fraud:
  Charles from New York shares a real-world case of attempted bank fraud via the mail. Criminals opened a fake account in his wife’s name and waited for the debit card to arrive.
  • The scam failed only because their mailbox was locked.
  • Clark strongly endorses locking mailboxes:
    "You don't realize what an invitation to identity theft, criminal behavior... having an unprotected mailbox represents." (Clark, [07:56])
    • If a locking mailbox is forced open, you’ll at least know a crime occurred.
    • They're affordable and easy to install.

3. Listener Q&A: Cheap Flights to Iceland

[08:50–13:15]

• Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets:
  • Clark recommends waiting until March/April to purchase for August 2026 trips.
  • Fares often drop the third week of August as school starts in the US.
  • Krista notes that the 2026 solar eclipse (August 12) could impact pricing and availability:
    "Definitely avoid [that period] if you’re not going to see the solar eclipse." (Krista, [11:34])
  • Leverage Iceland Air’s free stopovers to save, but expect Iceland to be expensive.
  • Personal travel tips: Consider small hotel packages or even camping/RV due to high lodging costs.

4. Listener Q&A: Credit Freezes vs. VPNs

[13:15–14:27]

• Security Beyond Credit Freezes:
  • Listener Teresa worries about advice to go beyond credit freezes.
  • Clark recommends using a paid Virtual Private Network (VPN) for online security:
    "Buy one, don't use one of the free ones. The free ones have been a lot of problems... a virtual private network is a really great idea for you to protect yourself when you are online." (Clark, [13:21])
  • Check reputable tech reviews for the best VPNs.

5. The Siren Song Of Debt: Buy Now, Pay Later Dangers

[17:54–22:59]

• Clark's Strong Warning:
  • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and installment options (“Pay in Four") are proliferating and causing widespread financial harm.
  • Key Statistic:
    "Well over a third of people who've used it end up in credit trouble, in default, end up with all kinds of penalties and...ruining your credit." (Clark, [17:57])
  • This model started in furniture stores with “no, no, no” plans (no down, no interest, no payments) but had high retroactive interest rates for nonpayment.
  • The psychological tactics (“angel vs. devil on your shoulder”) manipulate shoppers, making them buy what they can’t afford.
  • Memorable Analogy:
    "If you ever partied too much one night... how do you feel the next day?... This is something that doesn't go away in a day. The bill's there and the interest that you end up with... is a no, no, no for your wallet." (Clark, [19:13])
  • Clark encourages listeners to resist the temptation as Black Friday deals flood the market.

6. Listener Q&A: Cell Phones with 0% Installment Plans

[23:10–23:45]

• Is 0% Phone Financing Safe?
  • Listener Matthew asks if it’s wise to buy an Apple iPhone on a 0% installment plan while paying from a savings account earning interest.
  • Clark’s verdict:
    "There's nothing wrong with what you're doing because it's all automated. You got the money... You would be an example of somebody who's...being subsidized by the people who don't pay it off." (Clark, [23:45])
  • Summary: If you are organized with automated payments and have cash on hand, you’re fine—most people get tripped up.

7. Listener Q&A: The Role of Hospitalists

[24:28–28:45]

• What is a Hospitalist?
  • Darrell questions if “hospitalist” means the doctor is loyal to the hospital, not the patient.
  • Clark explains:
    • Hospitalists are doctors trained for in-hospital care, especially when there’s no established patient history.
    • Clark shares a personal story: a hospitalist saved his life by correctly diagnosing rhabdomyolysis when he was dying.
    • “She saved my life by figuring out what was wrong.” (Clark, [27:22])
    • The real problem in healthcare today isn't the hospitalists, but large practices run for profit, causing frustration for doctors and lower quality for patients (Krista adds a friend's experience).
    • Clark laments physicians’ loss of independence:
      "They are becoming serfs in these major hospital systems and many are being forced to become employees without rights... having all their independence taken from them and their judgments of what's best for a patient." (Clark, [28:45])

8. Listener Q&A: Car Subscription Fees

[29:29–33:40]

• Are Car Companies Charging for Basic Features?
  • Vicenza asks about rumors that Toyota and others will charge subscription fees for factory features (e.g., tire pressure, backup cameras, remote start, Bluetooth audio).
  • Clark says:
    • Some automakers (Tesla, BMW) do this already (e.g., Tesla charges monthly for data and “Full Self Drive” features; BMW tested charging for heated seats).
    • Industry is seeking new recurring revenue streams, but not all basic features (e.g., backup cameras) are fair game due to legal requirements.
    • However, advanced or “add-on” features (video recordings, streaming) could be locked behind subscriptions in the future.
    • For now, if your car is in good shape and paid off, stick with it to avoid such costs:
      "You just gave yourself one more reason to keep driving it." (Clark, [33:40])

9. Closing Advice & Notable Quotes

• On Black Friday Deals:
  "We got them for you all month long at clarkdeals.com, but just because something's on sale, if you don't need it, don't buy it."
• Clark’s Signature Closing:
  "Save more, spend less, and avoid getting ripped off."

Notable Quotes

• Porch Pirates:
  "It's a term that everybody knows, porch pirate, because it happens so much." (Clark, [02:37])
• On Buy Now, Pay Later:
  "You're tying yourself up financially. You're putting handcuffs on yourself financially." (Clark, [21:54])
• On Automated Payment Plans:
  "If you go eyes wide open, you know what you're doing, and this is a financial tool for you, that's fine." (Clark, [23:45])
• Healthcare Professionals:
  "Doctors...are becoming serfs in these major hospital systems and many are being forced to become employees without rights." (Clark, [28:45])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Secure Package Delivery: [01:01–07:56]
• Locked Mailboxes & Identity Theft: [06:26–08:50]
• Buying Airline Tickets to Iceland: [08:50–13:15]
• VPNs & Data Security: [13:15–14:27]
• Buy Now, Pay Later Dangers: [17:54–22:59]
• 0% Installment Phone Plans: [23:10–23:45]
• Hospitalists in Medicine: [24:28–28:45]
• Car Subscription Fees: [29:29–33:40]

For More

Check out:

• Clark's money advice & deals and holiday deals
• Submit your questions at clark.com/askclark

Summary prepared for listeners who want actionable financial advice and Clark’s distinctive take on consumer issues, grounded in listener stories and the realities of today’s marketplace.