The Clark Howard Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: 12.01.25 Homeowners–Are You Underinsured? / Designer Goods For Less
Release Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Clark Howard

Episode Overview

In this episode, consumer money expert Clark Howard steers listeners through the dangers of being underinsured as a homeowner given rising premiums and rebuilding costs. He delivers actionable tips to ensure your greatest asset is protected—even if it stings your budget—and discusses how higher deductibles can help manage premium hikes. In the latter half, Clark flips the script on luxury shopping and reveals how buying designer goods used, especially online, can score you major savings without resorting to fakes. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire mailbag questions on credit monitoring, child identity theft, 401k rollovers, 529 plans, and the risks of "pirate" streaming boxes.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Homeowners Insurance Underinsurance Crisis

Segment starts: 00:50

Clark highlights that homeowners insurance costs have surged across the US, but insurance coverage amounts often haven’t kept up with the soaring price of rebuilding homes.
Main Point: Many homeowners mistakenly assume their policy will always cover full rebuild costs. Instead, most policies only pay up to your declared coverage amount—which may now be far too low.
Clark:

“A huge percent of us are underinsured because the cost of rebuilding homes has gone up so much along with the cost of building homes … Insurers used to just cover you for whatever it cost to rebuild it, but not anymore.” (02:00)
He urges listeners to review their policy coverage and adjust it to reflect current rebuild costs—even if it means paying a bit more.
For those who own their homes “free and clear” (without a mortgage—now at a historic 40%), Clark suggests raising coverage and offsetting the premium hike by also increasing your deductible.
Important Note: If you have a mortgage, your lender sets the maximum deductible—never exceed it.
Clark:

"If you have a big claim, the first, so many thousands of dollars, whatever it is, you decide to self-insure. But the big money … you're fully insured for." (04:50)

Memorable Quote:

“You have it [homeowners insurance] because if your house has a catastrophe … you can’t afford that.” – Clark Howard (01:20)

2. Scam Alerts and Listener Stories

Segment begins: 06:04

Listener Jamie from Washington shares a story about a suspicious "county assessor" wanting to visit her home on a Sunday—turns out to be a potential scam.
Clark's warning: Government assessors typically don’t make appointment home visits, and would never come out on a Sunday. This may have been an attempt at burglary or fraud.
Clark:

“Saying that somebody needed to come and you needed to be home meant somebody was going to try to gain entry into your home. And I’m glad … you took the time to share this, to warn other people.” (06:43)

3. Credit Questions & Child Identity Theft

Segment begins: 07:45

Credit Karma vs. Credit Card Issuer Scores:
- Mark in California wonders if he still needs Credit Karma since his credit cards provide free scores.
- Clark explains: Credit Karma isn’t as unique as it used to be—your card’s free FICO/VantageScore plus their free credit monitoring and improvement suggestions are the key differentiators, but it’s not a must anymore. (08:01)
Child Identity Theft:
- Christy in Georgia reports her two-year-old receiving credit card offers.
- Clark's advice:
  - Sometimes innocent (e.g., if the child is a frequent flyer), but if generic credit offers appear, identity theft is likely—set up a child credit freeze with all three bureaus, which is a hassle but essential.
  “If it’s not the airline thing and it’s just UFO credit card solicitations coming … please do the work … to set up child identity freeze for your child.” (09:40)

4. Designer Goods for Less

Segment begins: 13:56

Clark shares his wife's (Lane’s) strategy for looking fabulous without spending a fortune by buying used luxury items online, and how the used market has exploded due to internet platforms like The RealReal and The Refined.
- High-end clothing, accessories, even shoes and jewelry—all can be had for a fraction of retail cost, often in new-with-tags condition.
Clark:

“Every last item she wears … she buys used. And she buys a lot of higher end brands, but buys them everything she buys, she buys used.” (14:07)
Key Insight:
Luxury goods depreciate fast, meaning secondhand buyers win big—similar to buying a luxury car used instead of new.
Warning:
Beware of counterfeits, and carefully vet sellers’ return and authenticity policies.
- Many sellers have strict, buyer-unfriendly rules—know their reputation.
Memorable Moment:
Clark describes watching an expert appraise Lane’s purse:

“The guy was going through the purse like I could not believe … and knew so much about them. I don’t get it.” (18:12)
He jokes about his own frugality:

“I do break $10 on clothing items. Certainly not these shirts. These shirts are $8—more than I’d like to spend on a shirt.” (19:08)

5. Mailbag: Financial & Consumer Questions

a. 401k Rollover Dilemma

(20:40) Brandon in Ohio asks: Should his wife roll a $20k 401k into an IRA or cash it out to fund a move to Alaska?
Clark's advice:
- Never cash out—costly penalties and taxes erase gains. Roll the 401k into an IRA, choose a low-cost provider, and reinvest (target-date funds suggested).

b. Using 529 Plans for Roth IRAs & Intergenerational Wealth

(22:58) Jason in Michigan asks if overfunding a 529 to later fund a Roth IRA for his kids (and maybe help grandkids) is sound strategy.
Clark:
- Yes, transferring up to $35k (current law) to a Roth works; leftover funds can be reassigned to future generations.

c. “Pirate” Streaming Boxes—Are They Legal?

(24:41) Tammy in Oregon reports booths selling “one-time fee” boxes streaming 1000+ channels.
Clark's warning:
- These are usually illegal pirate boxes intended for content theft (sports, PPVs, etc.). Legit free streaming doesn’t require expensive boxes—just use a Roku or Smart TV app.
“They really work and no, they are not legal. It’s a pirate box.” (24:56)

Memorable/Notable Quotes

On insurance:

"You have it because if your house has catastrophe … you can’t afford that.” (01:20)
On the used luxury market:

“Luxury items generally depreciate at a much faster rate than traditional items. And the same is true in women’s fashion.” (15:40)
On child ID theft:

“It is a pain and a half … but worth going through the hassle to protect your child’s identity.” (10:33)
On fashion frugality:

“These shirts are $8. Those of you see me on the YouTube show, $8 is more than I’d like to spend on a shirt.” (19:08)
Clark’s humor on expertise:

“Who has less credibility talking about how to save money on high end fashion … than I do?” (18:03)

Key Takeaways

Check and update your homeowners’ policy—don’t gamble with underinsurance amid rising rebuild costs.
Raising your deductible can help manage premium costs, but follow mortgage rules.
Remain vigilant against scams—unusual visits and calls should always be verified.
Monitor your (and your child’s) credit, and take swift action if something’s amiss.
Do your holiday designer shopping “used”—luxury for less is easier and safer than ever, but avoid counterfeits.
Beware of streaming boxes that promise the world for a one-time fee; stealing content isn’t worth the risk.

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Timestamp (MM:SS) | |--------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Homeowners Insurance & Underinsurance | 00:50 – 06:04 | | Scam Alert – Fake County Assessor | 06:04 – 07:45 | | Credit Karma vs. Credit Card Scores | 07:45 – 09:09 | | Child Identity Theft (Credit Freeze) | 09:09 – 11:53 | | Designer Goods for Less (Used Luxury) | 13:56 – 19:00 | | 401k Rollover vs. Cash Out | 20:40 – 22:58 | | Overfunding 529 for Roth & Generational Wealth | 22:58 – 24:41 | | Illegal Streaming Boxes ("Pirate" Boxes) | 24:41 – 27:24 |

For more money-saving tips, visit Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com. Submit your questions at www.clark.com/askclark.

The Clark Howard Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: 12.01.25 Homeowners–Are You Underinsured? / Designer Goods For Less
Release Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Clark Howard

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Insights

1. Homeowners Insurance Underinsurance Crisis

Segment starts: 00:50

Clark highlights that homeowners insurance costs have surged across the US, but insurance coverage amounts often haven’t kept up with the soaring price of rebuilding homes.
Main Point: Many homeowners mistakenly assume their policy will always cover full rebuild costs. Instead, most policies only pay up to your declared coverage amount—which may now be far too low.
Clark:

“A huge percent of us are underinsured because the cost of rebuilding homes has gone up so much along with the cost of building homes … Insurers used to just cover you for whatever it cost to rebuild it, but not anymore.” (02:00)
He urges listeners to review their policy coverage and adjust it to reflect current rebuild costs—even if it means paying a bit more.
For those who own their homes “free and clear” (without a mortgage—now at a historic 40%), Clark suggests raising coverage and offsetting the premium hike by also increasing your deductible.
Important Note: If you have a mortgage, your lender sets the maximum deductible—never exceed it.
Clark:

"If you have a big claim, the first, so many thousands of dollars, whatever it is, you decide to self-insure. But the big money … you're fully insured for." (04:50)

Memorable Quote:

“You have it [homeowners insurance] because if your house has a catastrophe … you can’t afford that.” – Clark Howard (01:20)

2. Scam Alerts and Listener Stories

Segment begins: 06:04

Listener Jamie from Washington shares a story about a suspicious "county assessor" wanting to visit her home on a Sunday—turns out to be a potential scam.
Clark's warning: Government assessors typically don’t make appointment home visits, and would never come out on a Sunday. This may have been an attempt at burglary or fraud.
Clark:

“Saying that somebody needed to come and you needed to be home meant somebody was going to try to gain entry into your home. And I’m glad … you took the time to share this, to warn other people.” (06:43)

3. Credit Questions & Child Identity Theft

Segment begins: 07:45

Credit Karma vs. Credit Card Issuer Scores:
- Mark in California wonders if he still needs Credit Karma since his credit cards provide free scores.
- Clark explains: Credit Karma isn’t as unique as it used to be—your card’s free FICO/VantageScore plus their free credit monitoring and improvement suggestions are the key differentiators, but it’s not a must anymore. (08:01)
Child Identity Theft:
- Christy in Georgia reports her two-year-old receiving credit card offers.
- Clark's advice:
  - Sometimes innocent (e.g., if the child is a frequent flyer), but if generic credit offers appear, identity theft is likely—set up a child credit freeze with all three bureaus, which is a hassle but essential.
  “If it’s not the airline thing and it’s just UFO credit card solicitations coming … please do the work … to set up child identity freeze for your child.” (09:40)

4. Designer Goods for Less

Segment begins: 13:56

Clark shares his wife's (Lane’s) strategy for looking fabulous without spending a fortune by buying used luxury items online, and how the used market has exploded due to internet platforms like The RealReal and The Refined.
- High-end clothing, accessories, even shoes and jewelry—all can be had for a fraction of retail cost, often in new-with-tags condition.
Clark:

“Every last item she wears … she buys used. And she buys a lot of higher end brands, but buys them everything she buys, she buys used.” (14:07)
Key Insight:
Luxury goods depreciate fast, meaning secondhand buyers win big—similar to buying a luxury car used instead of new.
Warning:
Beware of counterfeits, and carefully vet sellers’ return and authenticity policies.
- Many sellers have strict, buyer-unfriendly rules—know their reputation.
Memorable Moment:
Clark describes watching an expert appraise Lane’s purse:

“The guy was going through the purse like I could not believe … and knew so much about them. I don’t get it.” (18:12)
He jokes about his own frugality:

“I do break $10 on clothing items. Certainly not these shirts. These shirts are $8—more than I’d like to spend on a shirt.” (19:08)

5. Mailbag: Financial & Consumer Questions

a. 401k Rollover Dilemma

(20:40) Brandon in Ohio asks: Should his wife roll a $20k 401k into an IRA or cash it out to fund a move to Alaska?
Clark's advice:
- Never cash out—costly penalties and taxes erase gains. Roll the 401k into an IRA, choose a low-cost provider, and reinvest (target-date funds suggested).

b. Using 529 Plans for Roth IRAs & Intergenerational Wealth

(22:58) Jason in Michigan asks if overfunding a 529 to later fund a Roth IRA for his kids (and maybe help grandkids) is sound strategy.
Clark:
- Yes, transferring up to $35k (current law) to a Roth works; leftover funds can be reassigned to future generations.

c. “Pirate” Streaming Boxes—Are They Legal?

(24:41) Tammy in Oregon reports booths selling “one-time fee” boxes streaming 1000+ channels.
Clark's warning:
- These are usually illegal pirate boxes intended for content theft (sports, PPVs, etc.). Legit free streaming doesn’t require expensive boxes—just use a Roku or Smart TV app.
“They really work and no, they are not legal. It’s a pirate box.” (24:56)

Memorable/Notable Quotes

On insurance:

"You have it because if your house has catastrophe … you can’t afford that.” (01:20)
On the used luxury market:

“Luxury items generally depreciate at a much faster rate than traditional items. And the same is true in women’s fashion.” (15:40)
On child ID theft:

“It is a pain and a half … but worth going through the hassle to protect your child’s identity.” (10:33)
On fashion frugality:

“These shirts are $8. Those of you see me on the YouTube show, $8 is more than I’d like to spend on a shirt.” (19:08)
Clark’s humor on expertise:

“Who has less credibility talking about how to save money on high end fashion … than I do?” (18:03)

Key Takeaways

Check and update your homeowners’ policy—don’t gamble with underinsurance amid rising rebuild costs.
Raising your deductible can help manage premium costs, but follow mortgage rules.
Remain vigilant against scams—unusual visits and calls should always be verified.
Monitor your (and your child’s) credit, and take swift action if something’s amiss.
Do your holiday designer shopping “used”—luxury for less is easier and safer than ever, but avoid counterfeits.
Beware of streaming boxes that promise the world for a one-time fee; stealing content isn’t worth the risk.

Timestamps for Important Segments

For more money-saving tips, visit Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com. Submit your questions at www.clark.com/askclark.

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12.01.25 Homeowners- Are You Underinsured? / Designer Goods For Less

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Summary

The Clark Howard Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Insights

1. Homeowners Insurance Underinsurance Crisis

2. Scam Alerts and Listener Stories

3. Credit Questions & Child Identity Theft

4. Designer Goods for Less

5. Mailbag: Financial & Consumer Questions

Memorable/Notable Quotes

Key Takeaways

Timestamps for Important Segments

Summary

The Clark Howard Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Insights

1. Homeowners Insurance Underinsurance Crisis

2. Scam Alerts and Listener Stories

3. Credit Questions & Child Identity Theft

4. Designer Goods for Less

5. Mailbag: Financial & Consumer Questions

Memorable/Notable Quotes

Key Takeaways

Timestamps for Important Segments