The Clark Howard Podcast

Episode: 11.14.25 – "Batteries Not Included / Multigenerational Living"
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Clark Howard

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clark Howard dives into two major topics impacting consumers: the trend of “batteries not included” in toys and electronics due to shrinkflation, and the resurgence of multigenerational living, especially adult children moving in with parents. The episode also features the regular Q&A with Team Clark and listeners, covering personal finance topics like buying gold, credit card safety after a spouse’s death, device privacy, using debit cards, investing windfalls for kids, and resolving disputes with retailers.

Clark’s signature blend of practical advice and amicable frankness is on full display, providing listeners both guidance and actionable tips on saving money and navigating evolving consumer trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shrinkflation Hits Batteries in Toys & Electronics

[00:27–05:23]

• Main insight: More toys and electronics are now sold “batteries not included” as a cost-saving measure for manufacturers and retailers.

• Clark warns about the high markups on batteries at retail chains, especially drugstores like CVS and Walgreens:

  “If you ever did the math to see how much they charge per battery…it’s not like you’re trying to buy the entire Duracell plant.” — Clark Howard [02:18]

• Money-saving advice:

  • Buy batteries in bulk, especially private label/store brands from BJ’s, Sam’s Club, or Costco.
  • Sam’s Club offers broader battery variety (AA, AAA, 9V, C, D).
  • Costco’s Kirkland Signature batteries (AA, AAA) are made by Duracell and are often cheaper than Duracell, even when Duracell is on sale.

  “Even on sale, the Duracells are much more per battery than the KS’s. And guess who makes the KS’s? Duracell.” — Clark Howard [04:31]

• Listener experience:
  A caller describes buying Kirkland (KS) batteries in bulk, only to find them corroded later—emphasizing check the expiration date.

2. Listener Q&A: Finance, Tech, and Security

[05:57–13:41]

Gold as an “Investment”

• Clark clarifies:

  “Gold is not an investment. Gold is a hedge…. It’s reasonable for that to be a hedge in your portfolio of 5 to 10%. But it’s not an investment, because an investment is when you’re putting money into something that creates value.” [06:12]

• Gold’s rise is linked to “debasement theory” and macroeconomic fears, not inherent value creation.
• Historical reference: “Silver just got back to where it was in what year? 1980. It took 45 years for silver to get back.” — Clark [07:54]

Smart Devices & Two-Factor Authentication Privacy

• Listener asks about privacy when two-factor codes are pushed from phone to watch via the Zepp app.
• Clark: No known breaches with health app transmissions—no need to worry unless evidence arises.

  “I’ve never ever heard of a breach happening with any of the apps that transmit this… I would not worry so much about that.” [09:45]

Credit Card Safety After a Spouse’s Death

• Listener warns: credit cards in a spouse’s name often leave surviving spouses with no credit, even after decades as an authorized user.
• Clark’s rule: Always have two lines of credit, in each adult’s own name, from different institutions, not just different cards.

  “Credit in each person’s name. Noah’s Ark Rule: two different forms of credit in each person’s name, not from the same financial institution.” [11:41]

• Example: Citibank outage left people with multiple cards from one issuer stranded.

3. Multigenerational Living: Navigating Adult Children Returning Home

[15:30–20:36]

• Context: Surge in adult children living with parents, often driven by unaffordable housing markets.

  “It’s not necessarily that the kids want to live under your roof. It’s that they can’t afford to have their own.” — Clark Howard [15:37]

• Opportunities & Challenges:

  • Can be positive (family togetherness), or negative (parents feeling taken advantage of).
  • Set ground rules for rent, chores, guests, and shared expenses to maintain boundaries.
  • If living rent-free, consider making that conditional on saving toward eventual independence (e.g., down payment for a house).

• Practical tips:

  • Put the agreed-upon rules in writing—avoid unspoken expectations and resentment.
  • Reciprocate with chores if adult child is unemployed.
  • Be fair both to yourself and your child, avoid regressing child to their teenage habits.

  “You don’t want to be run over by your own kid… because your kid may go back into child mode even though they’re an adult.” — Clark [18:36]

4. More Listener Q&A

[20:36–25:39]

Debit Card Risks and Rewards

• Listener touts PayPal debit card for 5% cash back.
• Clark’s warning: Never use a debit card at the gas pump by swiping—too susceptible to “skimmers."
  • If using tap-to-pay, debit is safe.

  “This is a never, never, never, not ever rule. You don’t use a debit card, pay at the pump… where you just slide the card.” [21:52]

Treating Kids Fairly With Windfalls (529 Plans vs. UTMA/UGMA)

• Listener wonders if “Trump account” windfall for new baby should be matched for sibling into 529 or UTMA/UGMA.
• Clark’s advice: Stick with 529—better for college savings and more favorable for financial aid. UTMA/UGMA in child’s name counts heavily against them for aid.
  • 529s now can convert up to $35K into Roth IRA if unused for college.

The Power of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

• Listener Joe shares two stories where BBB complaints quickly resolved months-long customer service battles.

  “Within an hour, the retailer called me directly and credited the full amount that same day.” — Listener Joe [24:36]

• Clark strongly supports the BBB (especially with larger bureaucratic companies), and reminds that state Departments of Consumer Affairs can also help if you’ve been outright defrauded.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On store-brand batteries:

  “Don’t waste your money. Buy the store brand.” — Clark Howard [04:40]

• On credit self-reliance after bereavement:

  “Each party, partner, spouse, whatever—you each need to have your own credit…” — Clark Howard [11:41]

• On raising adult children at home:

  “You got to set rules… because you don’t want to feel unwelcome in your own house, or feel like going home… you don’t want to go home…” — Clark Howard [17:40]

• On helping with consumer disputes:

  “Learning from each other, empowering each other with knowledge is absolutely awesome.” — Clark Howard [25:32]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Shrinkflation/Batteries Not Included: [00:27–05:23]
• Gold as an Investment/Caller Q&A: [05:57–08:30]
• Device Privacy Concerns: [08:30–10:29]
• Credit Card Safety After Loss: [10:29–13:41]
• Multigenerational Living: [15:30–20:36]
• Debit Card Advice: [20:51–22:24]
• 529 vs. UTMA/UGMA for Children: [22:24–24:08]
• BBB Power Stories: [24:08–25:39]

Tone & Style

Clark’s tone is warm, knowledgeable, and infused with gentle humor and practical consumer wisdom. He consistently encourages empowerment through information, self-advocacy, and shared community learning.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking actionable consumer advice, family finance tips, and guidance through the modern consumer landscape—all with Clark Howard’s trusted, approachable voice.