The Clark Howard Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode: November 5, 2025
Main Topics: Saving on Internet Service, Scam Warnings, Consumer Q&A
Host: Clark Howard

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clark Howard focuses on two central themes: strategies to spend less on home internet service and urgent scam warnings. Listener questions touch on pharmacy access, warehouse clubs, travel "freebies," student loan payments, and expat health insurance. Throughout, Clark offers actionable tips to help listeners avoid unnecessary expenses and protect themselves from fraud.

How to Spend Less on Internet Service

[00:40 – 06:34]

• Clark shares a personal story: After receiving notice that his internet bill was going up by $5, he saw it as an "invitation" to look for better deals.
• The Competitive Landscape Has Expanded:
  • It’s not just the "monopoly local phone company or the cable monster" anymore.
  • “More and more players are offering wireless internet” (Clark Howard, [01:19]).
• Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use Wireless Home Internet:
  • Not for “obsessed gamers”—latency and speed may fall short for gaming.
  • For most others (streaming, web use): Wireless is “plenty fast enough.”
• Clark’s proof: “Think about how much stuff we do on these cell phones of ours...the connection is plenty fast enough to do anything we’re doing.”
• Price Points:
  • Mint Mobile (owned by T-Mobile): $30/month for internet if you're a mobile customer; $40/month stand-alone.
  • Traditional providers often charge $80–$100+.
• Negotiation Leverage:
  • Use offers from new players as leverage to negotiate with current providers.
  • “Your traditional monopoly phone company or cable monster will...offer you internet for somewhere $30 to $45 a month, usually a third to half of what you’re paying right now.” ([Clark Howard, 05:09])
• Living Alone? Use Your Unlimited Hotspot:
  • Mobile users with robust hotspots may not need home internet at all; check clark.com for provider comparisons.

Q&A Highlights

Are Price Hikes Covering Corporate Settlements?

[06:34 – 08:31] — JD in California

• Question: Is AT&T raising rates to pay a $177 million data breach settlement?
• Clark’s answer: The sum is insignificant to AT&T; price increases are part of their “inertia strategy.”
• Memorable quote: “A company that big, $177 million would be like, oh, there’s a penny down there...It’s all part of the inertia strategy.” ([Clark Howard, 07:04])
• Behavioral Insight: Most people accept small price hikes due to habit, enabling companies to continue incremental increases.

Pharmacy Shrinkage and Future Access

[09:03 – 11:52] — David in California

• Issue: Rite Aid closures are causing long lines; what’s next for prescriptions?
• Clark’s take:
  • Independent pharmacies are reemerging, much like independent bookstores.
  • Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart) are taking a bigger share of same-day prescriptions—often at much lower prices.
  • “You walk down the street, you don’t even notice these independents.” ([Clark Howard, 10:19])
  • Don’t overlook grocery stores as prescription options.

Warehouse Club Switch: BJ’s to Costco

[11:52 – 16:19] — Angie in Pennsylvania

• Situation: BJ’s relocated; Costco opening nearby. Angie wants to switch memberships and credit cards.
• Clark’s process advice:
  • Look for special offers during Costco’s pre-opening membership drives.
  • Cancel BJ’s card once your switch is set (termed “hopscotching”), with no credit score penalty if you have other cards.
  • BJ’s advantage: more product selection. Costco & Sam’s: lower prices but fewer choices.
• Playful moment: “Our dog is named Kirkland Signature. I think the answer is obvious.” ([Clark Howard, 15:13])
• Ultimate pick: Costco is Clark’s preferred warehouse club.

Scam Warnings and How to Spot Them

[19:23 – 26:19]

Jury Duty Scams & The Anatomy of Modern Fraud

• Story: Clark’s brother’s friend received a call claiming she’d be arrested for missing jury duty.
• Clark’s instant reaction: “I said, you text him right now, tell him this is a scam...Don’t fall for it.” ([Clark Howard, 19:27])
• Key Insights:
  • Scammers operate by creating fear and urgency.
  • They possess lots of personal information—addresses, history—to sound credible.
  • Government agencies never threaten arrest or demand immediate payment by phone.
• Scam methods:
  • Calls, emails, and now, physical letters (e.g., fake U.S. Supreme Court letters on Social Security repayments).
  • Payment channels: crypto ATMs, payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App), wires—all big red flags.
• Notable quotes:
  • “The method of operation is fairly consistent. But what is different is what’s the ruse?” ([Clark Howard, 24:34])
  • “Anytime anybody says you need to pay them by...payment app, go to a reverse ATM...send a wire...that’s what I need in your head.” ([Clark Howard, 24:57])
• Victims: All ages/sophistication levels are at risk; young adults (20s & 30s) increasingly targeted due to comfort with online interactions.

Additional Listener Q&A

Expat Health Insurance & Medicare Disadvantage Plans

[26:30 – 30:20] — Patrick in North Carolina

• Concern: Using Medicare Advantage (Disadvantage) plans in Panama; can you switch back to traditional Medicare upon return?
• Clark’s warning:
  • "Except in a tiny number of states...once you go into a Medicare disadvantage plan, you cannot go back fully into traditional Medicare...” ([Clark Howard, 26:55])
  • Medicare Advantage plans may stop overseas coverage at any time; traditional Medicare provides superior coverage if you get seriously ill.
  • In Panama, buy local insurance or prepaid hospital plans; consult expat forums (Reddit, Facebook) for options and experiences.

Travel "Freebies" — Are They Legit?

[30:20 – 32:00] — Bill in Connecticut

• Query: “Free” cruises and hotel stays for attending a travel showcase—scam?
• Clark’s analysis:
  • Most are “vacation club” pitches, which are costly, rarely useful, and sometimes outright criminal.
  • “This is so close to scam, it’s like you’re flying right next to scam as a word.” ([Clark Howard, 30:55])
  • Don't expect legitimate free trips from these offers.

Student Loan Overpayment After Forgiveness

[32:00 – 33:16] — Susan in New York

• Issue: Student loan servicer keeps auto-deducting payments after partial forgiveness, refusing prompt refund.
• Clark’s advice:
  • Always turn off auto-payments two months before the last payment/forgiveness event.
  • Retrieving funds from financial institutions post-payment is “extremely hard”—they keep your money due to “dishonesty or incompetence.”
  • If deduction is within 10 banking days, dispute through your bank to retrieve funds.
  • For servicer issues, contact the Student Loan Advocate Office at the US Department of Education.
  • “...getting it back out of their bureaucracy...is extremely hard.” ([Clark Howard, 33:16])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Inertia Pricing: "Companies know that most people just keep doing what they’re doing because they’ve been doing it." ([Clark Howard, 07:14])
• On scams: “Scams operate on fear, immediacy and the get out of jail free card...followed by you...throwing money to a crook that is unrecoverable.” ([Clark Howard, 24:47])
• Clark’s “favorite place on Earth”: “My favorite place on earth is wherever I am with my wife. Okay. The second thing is, yes, we do receive our mail at Costco. No, we don’t.” ([Clark Howard, 12:44])
• On auto-pay hassles: “Once the financial institution has your money...Getting it back out...is extremely hard.” ([Clark Howard, 33:16])
• Pet names show his warehouse club loyalty: “Our dog is named Kirkland Signature. I think the answer is obvious.” ([Clark Howard, 15:13])

Important Timestamps

• Spending Less on Internet: 00:40 – 06:34
• Price Hikes vs. Settlements Q&A: 06:34 – 08:31
• Pharmacy Trends: 09:03 – 11:52
• Warehouse Clubs & Switching: 11:52 – 16:19
• Scam Warnings and Tactics: 19:23 – 26:19
• Medicare Abroad/Advantage Plans: 26:30 – 30:20
• Travel “Freebies” Q&A: 30:20 – 32:00
• Student Loan Auto-Pay Pitfalls: 32:00 – 33:16

Takeaways

• Don’t accept auto-renewals or price hikes passively—shop around and negotiate using new competitive offers.
• Modern scams are sophisticated and can happen to anyone—trust no urgent demand for payment, especially via unconventional methods.
• Warehouse club shopping strategies and membership changes can yield big savings, but expect less variety at Costco/Sam’s than BJ’s.
• When approaching the end of any loan, lease, or recurring payment (including student loans), disable auto-pay to prevent difficulties in recouping overpayments.
• If considering overseas retirement, carefully assess health insurance and Medicare options—don't count on regaining full coverage by switching plans.
• Always be skeptical of free offers requiring personal information or attendance—if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

For further information, visit clark.com and clarkdeals.com. Submit questions at clark.com/askclark.