The Clark Howard Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Choose Lifelong Learning / Supporting Adult Children
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Clark Howard
Theme: The value of lifelong learning in an era of rapid workplace change, and the financial and personal impacts of supporting adult children. Plus, listener Q&A on personal finance.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clark Howard emphasizes the necessity of ongoing education and adaptability amidst the constantly shifting job landscape—especially as AI changes the workplace. He shares personal experiences and advice for taking advantage of employer-sponsored or free educational opportunities. In the second major segment, Clark examines the growing trend of parents financially supporting adult children, unpacking the economic and emotional consequences of this phenomenon. The episode is rich with practical advice, relatable stories, and audience questions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Navigating the Changing Job Market & Lifelong Learning

[01:11–07:50]

• Main Idea: Lifelong learning is more important than ever, given rapid technological change and job uncertainty fueled by AI.
• Clark’s Personal Experience:
  • Clark discusses the recurring anxiety surrounding job loss due to technological advancements.
  • He shares his son’s dual pursuit of skills (commercial pilot and finance) as an example of resilience and foresight in career planning.
  • Clark’s own story: He obtained an MBA through IBM’s tuition reimbursement when only 2 out of 1,000 employees took advantage of the free education.
    • Quote:

      “In that entire facility, two of us took advantage of free education. Two people. Nobody else could be bothered. I can’t even begin to tell you what that degree I got on IBM’s dime, what that did for me over the years.” (05:38 – Clark Howard)

• Advice:
  • Don’t self-identify only with your current profession—embrace new skills and career options.
  • Take advantage of free employer training or degree programs.
  • Even if you lack free options, audit classes or pursue low-cost learning elsewhere.
  • Preparation is your best defense against workplace change.

2. Listener Questions

a. PTO vs. Responsible Time Off (RTO)

[07:50–09:39]

• Concern: RTO (“unlimited” paid time off) is often a way for companies to reduce employees’ utilization of leave.
• Clark’s Stance:
  • Most people take less time off under “unlimited” policies.
  • Quote:

    “Life is not a sprint. Life’s a marathon. You want to enjoy life as you go through it. And I’m with you. Take your four weeks. Take them.” (08:13)

  • Reminder to use PTO, especially since unused days are usually lost if you leave a company.

b. Do I Need LifeLock if I’ve Frozen My Credit?

[10:06–12:17]

• Listener’s Current Steps: Credit frozen, SIM locked, password manager in use.
• Clark’s Recommendation:
  • Discontinue LifeLock—if you’ve taken those steps, you’re adequately protected.
  • Quote:

    “You’ve done so many active things to protect your and your wife’s identity. You don’t need LifeLock. I would discontinue it. Save the money.” (10:46)

c. Gate Checking Luggage to Avoid Fees

[12:17–13:39]

• Listener suggests: Check your bag at the gate to avoid airline baggage fees.
• Clark:
  • Agrees it’s a good hack if you’re unconcerned about waiting at baggage claim.

3. Financial Support for Adult Children

[15:52–19:44]

• Survey Insight:
  • About half of parents are financially supporting adult children, with an average of nearly $20,000 annually.
  • Over 50% of those parents report this support negatively impacts their own finances.
• What Do Parents Pay For?
  • Cell phones (family plans, relatively minor cost).
  • Groceries (biggest area of help—justifiable in hardship).
  • Vacations for adult children (raises concerns).
• Clark’s Golden Rule:
  • Quote:

    “Never ever give an adult child enough money that they don’t feel like they have to work. That’s a problem.” (18:14)

• Acceptable Help:
  • Episodic, situational support (e.g., divorce, job loss).
  • Routine, large-scale support is risky to both parent and child’s financial well-being:
    • “I’m not so sure I’m comfortable with that.” (19:42)

Addressing Parental Guilt

[19:47–20:07]

• Clark: Parents often feel guilty or pressured to help, but it’s important to set boundaries.
  • Quote:

    “I want you to toughen up and have that confidence and courage to say to your adult child, you know, I really can’t afford to keep doing this.” (19:54)

4. Additional Q&A

a. Roth IRA Funding for Student Athlete

[20:07–22:10]

• Grandparent opened a custodial Roth IRA for grandson, but athletic scholarship means no earned income temporarily.
• Clark:
  • Fine to park the money in a brokerage or cash management account until earned income resumes.
  • Suggests Fidelity Zero Fund as a tax-efficient placeholder.

b. Switching from Traditional 401(k) to Roth 401(k)

[22:10–23:57]

• Listener fears switching to Roth will decrease compounded gains in traditional account.
• Clark:
  • It’s not an either/or—you’re still benefiting from both vehicles.
  • Diversification of account types is a net positive.

c. Verifying Calls from Banks & Scam Risks

[23:57–28:34]

• Listener recounts a stressful Chase application/fraud call, unsure if it’s legitimate.
• Clark:
  • Always call the number on your card or the company’s website, not the number left in a message.
  • Supports the idea of two-way verification codes for consumer peace of mind.
    • Quote:

      “Creative, inventive people out there, let’s see if we can come up with an inventive system that would help you as a consumer know that you’re actually talking to the real people.” (28:02)

  • Laments that banks rarely make security verification easy for consumers.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Change and Self-Reliance:

  “Change is constant and we’re talking about AI now. It’s going to be something else five years from now, 10 years from now… That’s why you don’t just want to see yourself as what you are. You need to think about what else you might enjoy in life.” (06:52)

• On Supporting Adult Children:

  “Routine, large-scale support for adult children is risky. Never ever give an adult child enough money that they don’t feel like they have to work.” (18:14)

• Listener Frustration with Bank Verifications:

  “We, the caller, are pretty much left in the dark about who we’re really speaking to… It would be great to come up with a system…” (26:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Lifelong Learning & Technological Change: [01:11–07:50]
• Listener Q&A – PTO Policy: [07:50–09:39]
• Listener Q&A – LifeLock & ID Protection: [10:06–12:17]
• Listener Q&A – Gate Checking Luggage: [12:17–13:39]
• Supporting Adult Children – Main Segment: [15:52–19:44]
• Listener Q&A – Custodial Roth for Student Athlete: [20:07–22:10]
• Listener Q&A – Roth vs. Traditional 401(k): [22:10–23:57]
• Listener Q&A – Verifying Bank Calls: [23:57–28:34]

Conclusion

This episode is a practical guide to thriving in uncertain times, blending Clark Howard’s characteristic mix of personal anecdote, humor, and clear, actionable advice. The key takeaways: Always keep learning, use your benefits, be prudent with financial support for adult children, and stay alert to scams. Clark’s advice empowers listeners to prioritize their own financial health and independence—for themselves and their families.

Listen & Learn More:
For more tips, resources, and to ask your own questions, visit Clark.com or check out ClarkDeals.com.