12.05.25 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Recommended: Digital IDs

Summary

The Clark Howard Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Recommended: Digital IDs
Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Clark Howard, Krista

Episode Theme Overview

This episode is a classic "Clark Stinks" installment, where Clark and Krista review and respond to listener criticisms, corrections, and suggestions relating to recent financial advice or comments Clark has made. The show emphasizes humility and continual learning, with Clark openly acknowledging mistakes or oversights. In the latter part, Clark strongly advocates for adopting digital IDs, explaining their advantages and future potential.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Clark Stinks: Listener Critiques and Corrections

Taxation Differences for Savings Accounts (01:21)

• Listener Point (Chuck, PA): Clark failed to mention that U.S. Treasury money market accounts aren’t subject to state taxes—important for residents of high-tax states.
• Clark’s Response (02:13):

  "Some of the biggest states have state specific municipal money market funds... you don't pay state or federal tax on it."

• Extra Insight: State-specific municipal funds may offer even greater after-tax yields, despite some credit risk.

True Cost Comparison: Hybrids, Electric, Gas Vehicles (02:42)

• Listener Point (Chuck, MA): Clark oversimplified when comparing per-mile operating costs, ignoring higher upfront costs of hybrids/electrics.
• Clark’s Response (03:14):

  "Toyota... has narrowed the gap so much... usually it's going to be like more like a five year cycle to make the payback now hybrid versus gas engine... Electric... it's hard to make back the savings... The marketplace is going to force sellers of electric vehicles to become more efficient."

• Key Takeaway: Market shifts and manufacturer strategies are gradually shortening the 'payback period,' especially for hybrids—less so, currently, for EVs due to loss of tax credits.

Real World EV Costs: Plug-in Hybrids (04:29)

• Listener Point (Mark, CA): Despite paying extra for a plug-in hybrid, high electricity costs wiped out savings over gasoline.
• Clark’s Response (05:13):

  "Most owners of plug-in hybrids never plug them in... only 2 miles per kilowatt, that's a crazy low amount... that may be the case with the particular plug-in hybrid you have."

• Memorable Moment: Listener’s detailed cost math, and Clark’s acknowledgment that manufacturers’ efficiency claims don’t always translate to real-world savings.

Roth 401k Contributions & State Taxes (05:58)

• Listener Point (Richard, NV): Clark’s Roth advice doesn’t factor in high state taxes and plans to move to a no-tax state in retirement.
• Clark’s Response (06:37):

  "Yes, if you make the move... you're absolutely right. Most people end up staying in the state they're in. But if you were pretty clear that's going to be your intention... you're 100% right."

• Key Takeaway: Location and planned retirement state are crucial in Roth vs. traditional account decisions for high-earners.

Finding Better CD Rates (07:23)

• Listener Point (Joseph, NJ): Clark overstates that the best CD rates are always at major brokerages. Listener found a better rate (Synchrony Bank).
• Clark’s Response (07:46):

  "Companies that have very large credit card portfolios may... offer better rates... It's fairly rare, but it can happen, as you so demonstrate."

• Practical Tip: Always check both banks and brokerages when shopping for CDs.

Retiring Abroad & Medicare Enrollment (08:36)

• Listener Point (Lawrence, GA): Retirees abroad should still sign up for Medicare Parts A & B to avoid penalties if they return to the U.S.
• Clark’s Response (09:01):

  "It's almost like an insurance policy... so that if you do return, you come slide right back into Medicare."

• Memorable Moment: Stat: Around 4 million Americans live overseas, and up to 20% are considering it at some point.

Protecting Against Airbnb Claims (09:55)

• Listener Point (Kent, IN): Clark neglected to say you must take a video of the Airbnb both on arrival ​and​ on departure.
• Clark’s Response (10:35):

  "You shoot the video in the beginning and you shoot the video at the end... I'm guilty often of squirrel, squirrel, squirrel... I just forget."

• Humorous Moment: Football analogies—hosts joke about "fumbling on the goal line."

NFL vs. College Football Parity Debate (11:22)

• Listener Point (David, FL): Despite being a college fan, agrees NFL offers more competitive games.
• Clark’s Extended Take (12:34):

  "College football is sowing the seeds of its demise... There has to be... an amount of money that goes into a pile and that is what a team can spend on talent."

• Memorable Quote:

  "You think you set off a storm talking about politics? No, I'm going to set off a storm talking about salary caps." (Clark Howard, 12:34)

• Key Insight: The NFL’s enforced parity is better for viewers; college football needs salary caps to remain competitive.

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2. Digital IDs: Why Use Them? (16:34)

Clark’s Enthusiastic Pitch (16:34)

• Clark’s Experience:

  "I love the digital ID. In fact, I got a digital driver's license when my state joined the system for iPhones and Androids... it's great because... at most TSA places I'm able to tap with my phone." (Clark Howard, 16:34)

• Benefits:
  • Speeds up security and other ID-checking processes.
  • Reduces need to carry a wallet everywhere.
  • States are rolling it out gradually; more widespread use is coming.
  • Digital passports are also available for easy re-entry to the U.S.
• Caveats:

  "If you get stopped... you’re still going to have to show your physical driver's license... we’re a bit away from when you’re not going to have to carry it." (Clark Howard, 17:57)

Step-by-Step: Adding Your Digital ID (18:49)

• Krista’s walkthrough:

  • Open Google Wallet (or Apple Wallet).
  • Use state-specific process: enter personal info, photo of ID front and back, selfie photo for identification.
  • Most states approve within hours.

• Security Tips (19:58):

  • Password-protect the digital wallet—Krista uses fingerprint authentication.
  • Be aware of rare but notable risks of digital theft, such as face-ID exploits in theft cases.

• Clark’s Cautionary Note:

  “...Criminals were drugging people with iPhones... using their face to get into their brokerage accounts...” (Clark Howard, 20:07)

  • But these are very isolated incidents and shouldn’t deter most people from adopting digital IDs.

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3. Listener Questions

Fast Digital Passport Renewal (20:51)

• Matt, CO: Praised the new State Department system—received a renewed passport in four days.
• Clark’s Reaction (21:48):

  “I have never heard of somebody getting just a standard renewal in four days... if you’re eligible for [digital renewal], absolutely 100% do it.”

Replacing Southwest Credit Card (22:24)

• Allen, TX: Wants to swap Southwest card for Capital One Venture X but is reluctant to thaw credit/fill application.
• Clark’s Recommendation (23:00):

  “You’re going to have to thaw your credit and... do the online application ... Do it based on when the best deal is available for bonus miles.”

  • Notes Venture X is the best free-agent mileage credit card currently.

Is Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth the Annual Fee for Rental Car Coverage? (24:07)

• Tom, CO: Considering upgrading for primary rental car insurance coverage.
• Clark’s Advice:

  “100%... at $95... it is the best deal I know of to get primary rental car coverage where you can say no to all the junk...”

  • Only caveat: liability coverage for damage to others isn't included.

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4. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Clark on Listener Feedback:

  “No, everything's like right out of my head... I do stink on that. Because think how many times somebody has said. I kept waiting for you to say blah, blah, blah. And I just forget.” (Clark Howard, 11:05)

• Salary Cap Hot Take:

  “College football is sowing the seeds of its demise... there has to be like the NFL has, an amount of money that goes into a pile and that is what a team can spend on talent.” (Clark Howard, 12:39)

• On Digital IDs:

  “I love the digital ID... it makes it so much easier.” (Clark Howard, 16:34)
  “Make sure that you password protect that app.” (Krista, 19:56) "I would not use isolated crime stories as a reason not to go digital." (Clark Howard, 20:51)

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5. Timestamps for Major Segments

• Clark Stinks: Listener feedback and Clark’s responses — [01:12–14:43]
• Digital IDs: Advocacy, how-to, and security tips — [16:34–20:51]
• Listener Questions: Passport renewals, credit cards, rental coverage — [20:51–24:55]
• Behind the Scenes: Deals team shoutout — [26:29–27:01]
• Wrap-up and final thoughts — [27:01–28:14]

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Tone & Takeaways

The tone is engaging, humble, occasionally self-deprecating, and warmly informative. The episode provides actionable personal finance advice, corrects common misunderstandings, and encourages adoption of new digital tools for convenience and efficiency—while emphasizing the need to stay vigilant about security and understand nuanced factors like local tax laws and real-world cost-benefit analyses.

Clark’s willingness to own up to mistakes and the lively listener engagement make this an especially accessible and helpful episode for anyone interested in getting the most value from their money, keeping up with consumer tech, or making sense of today’s personal finance landscape.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card. With Apple Card, there are no points to calculate or rewards to claim, just daily cash back on every purchase subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and [e-mail] this message comes from AT&T, the network that helps Americans make connections. When you compare, there is no comparison. AT&T.

[Clark Howard]

It's great to have you here on the Clark Power Show. Our mission is to serve you with advice and information that empowers you to make better financial decisions in your life. In today's episode, it's time to hear your suggestions, your improvements for me, your criticisms of what I've said or done in our weekly Clark Stinks episode. Later. So many people have not taken advantage of of an easy way to store your government id. I'm going to tell you why I think you should do it right now. And right now is time for Clark Stakes.

[Krista]

I should have never encouraged you to speak.

[Clark Howard]

You must think I'm pretty stupid.

[Krista]

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Clark Howard]

Well, maybe I'm wrong.

[Krista]

Maybe I'm wrong.

[Clark Howard]

Maybe you're right, pal.

[Krista]

Okay, we're starting with Chuck in Pennsylvania. Here's your Clark Stinks. I would never say Clark stinks, but I did hear something on a recent show where think Clark could have provided a better response. A listener wrote in and asked if they should keep their savings in a high yield savings account or in a money market or brokerage and asked specifically if there were any differences. And I believe they specifically asked about taxes. Clark's answer was that if they already had a brokerage account with Schwab, Fidelity or Vanguard use the money market, but if not they use a high yield bank savings account. What he didn't mention is that there is a difference when it comes to taxes. Assuming they're a US treasury money market account, the interest earned on that account is not taxable for state tax purposes. So if someone has a sizable amount in savings and lives in a high income tax state like New York or California, there'd be a significant advantage to using the US treasury money market. Thanks for all you and your team do.

[Clark Howard]

That is a great suggestion. Something I should have mentioned, so let's take it a step further. Some of the biggest states have state specific municipal money market funds, which means you don't pay state or federal tax on it. You have some risk because of credit quality, but it is a way for you to get essentially an effective higher yield after tax.

[Krista]

Another Chuck. But this Chuck is in Massachusetts. Clark still doesn't stink. But he oversimplified the math when discussing the cost per mile to drive electricity, hybrid and gas vehicles. While it's true on a per mile basis, the comparison fails to consider the sometimes massive difference in upfront costs for some hybrid and electric vehicles versus their gas guzzling cousins. When our family needed a minivan, I really wanted to get a hybrid. But those models by Honda and Toyota were so much more expensive than traditional combustion that it would have taken 10 years of cheap miles to make up for the larger upfront cost.

[Clark Howard]

Very good point. So the good news is that from you mentioned, Toyota is one of the ones. Toyota now has narrowed the gap so much between the gas engine version of a vehicle, which they actually have less and less of, and the hybrid version available in that model to the point that the payback period is quite a bit shorter than it used to be. Usually it's going to be like more like a five year cycle to make the payback now hybrid versus gas engine because the cost of running them is so much cheaper now. Electric. This is the Achilles heel of electric vehicles is that now that the tax credit is gone and you're comparing price to price of an equivalent electric vehicle to a gas engine, it is hard to make back the savings buying electric versus gas. What that's going to do is the marketplace is going to force the sellers of electric vehicles to become more efficient to sell at a lower price than before now that they don't have the helping hand of the federal tax credit. And I guarantee you that's going to happen.

[Krista]

Okay, and one more on this topic from Mark in California. Clark, you stink like a garbage truck. You always talk about how much less it costs to run an electric vehicle. So I bought the plug in version of an SUV costing $7,000 more than the regular gas model because it's going to save me so much money. After a long drive with a spent battery, I filled the SUV with gas at Costco and calculated the cost to be 20 cents per mile. Getting home and plugging the vehicle into a regular outlet in my garage. It calculates I get 2 miles per kilowatt hour. So with great anticipation, I check my electric bill to see how much I'm saving. I pay 40 cents per kilowatt hour, making it 20 cents per mile. So I'm saving nothing driving on electricity I spent $7,000 for.

[Clark Howard]

Okay, thank you for that. So we're talking about a luxury vehicle sold in a plug in hybrid version. And the biggest problem with the plug in hybrid is not what you're referring to, it's that most owners of plug in hybrids never plug them in. If it's not really easy to, they don't. So basically you paid extra for a plug in hybrid when all you basically are carrying around with you is a regular hybrid because you only get the advantage if you plug it in. Now the math of what you said, only 2 miles per kilowatt, that's a crazy low amount based on what I've historically seen. But that may be the case with the particular plug in hybrid you have.

[Krista]

Richard in Nevada says Clark, you stink like a dead fish during low tide in Venice, Italy.

[Clark Howard]

I've been there. That smells pretty bad.

[Krista]

I agree with you that roth contributions for 401ks make sense for most people. But you fail to factor in state and local taxes. If you work in California making $200,000 as an individual, you will also pay an additional 10% in state income tax. Combine that with the federal rate and your marginal rate is 34%. If you plan to retire in a no income tax state like Nevada or Tennessee, utilizing Roth contributions does not make sense when working in a higher tax state like California or New York. Love the show. Thanks for all you do.

[Clark Howard]

So thank you again. Okay, so that's the second person who's talked about the state tax impact from the ultra high state income tax states. And yes, if you make the move like you live in Nevada, no state income tax. So if you earned your money in California, then you retire in Nevada and that's your intention. You're absolutely right. Most people end up staying in the state they're in. They don't migrate to another state in retirement. But if you were pretty clear that's going to be your intention when you do retire, you're 100% right for higher income earners.

[Krista]

Joseph in New Jersey says Clark is wrong when he says the best CD rates are at Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwabisch. Search around. There are better rates out there. I found better by 1/4% 5 year rate online at a bank, which was very meaningful to me because I took out a large cd. I prefer to keep all my money at just one of Clark's favorite financial institutions. But I'm cheap like Clark and I won't pass up a few extra hundred dollars a year in interest.

[Clark Howard]

Okay, I love this. I love this so much. So go ahead and name the bank that Synchrony Synchrony bank which looks at the money they earn from people's CDs as cheap financing for the money they lend out on Synchrony credit cards. So yeah, often you'll find that companies that have very large credit card portfolios may in fact offer better than normal rates on high yield savings accounts and also on CDs. So that is true. There are circumstances where you can beat the broker placed CDs from low cost providers like Schwab, Fidelity and Vanguard. It's fairly rare, but it can happen, as you so demonstrate.

[Krista]

Okay, Lawrence in Georgia, says Clark, on more than one occasion you've talked about Americans opting to retire in another country. While it may be cheaper to live in a foreign country, you fail to point out that retirees should stay still, sign up for Medicare parts A and B at 65, even though Medicare doesn't cover overseas medical expenses. If life circumstances change and the retiree wants to return to the usa, the government will impose penalties for not enrolling in Medicare.

[Clark Howard]

And those penalties are quite large. So right now there's 4 million Americans living outside the United States. And in polling that I saw recently, 20% approximately of Americans are considering at some point in their lifetime living overseas. And a lot of it is the cost pressures, particularly later in life. But you're right, having yourself protected if you move to a foreign destination, then you decide later, you know what? I miss the good old usa. I miss my kids or grandkids or whatever. And so it's like almost like an insurance policy paying the Medicare Part B premiums so that if you do return to the United States, you come slide right back into Medicare.

[Krista]

Kent in Indiana says even your beloved Atlanta Falcons would agree that you fumbled on the monologue on the goal line when you discussed how to protect yourself with an Airbnb reservation. You mentioned that we should follow the car rental recommendation when renting an Airbnb. You said to shoot a video inside the unit upon arrival to confirm later that something may have been broken or missing. Agreed. I was waiting for you to remind us to shoot another video upon our departure to prove nothing was broken or taken. To my chagrin, you skipped to the other side. Issues like never prepay for a hotel room or car rental, keep both on the football and give both sides of the advice when near the goal line, your Clark teammates are rooting for you.

[Clark Howard]

Okay, I can't believe that because I did that as a TV story also. And of course I said in it, you shoot the video in the beginning and you shoot the video at the end when you leave. And so I'm guilty often of squirrel, squirrel, squirrel. I'll be talking about something I'll think about Something else. And I never come all the way back around to finish up the whole point of what I was talking about.

[Krista]

It proves you don't script anything.

[Clark Howard]

No, everything's like right out of my head. And so I'm saying that Clark stinks because I do stink on that. Because think how many times somebody has said. I kept waiting for you to say blah, blah, blah. And I just forget.

[Krista]

Well, that's my job. And I think what he meant was keep both hands on the football. I love the football analogy. Okay, David, in Florida, you gotta be careful.

[Clark Howard]

Also you don't start celebrating the touchdown before you've crossed the goal line.

[Krista]

Okay. All right. Another football. That ends us here. David in Florida. Clark. Clark. Clark. A younger me would have thought you stunk to high heavens for your take that the NFL is superior to college football. But as I've gotten older, I have to admit you're right. My beloved Wolverines played your Chippewas earlier this season in a college game that was something akin to bugs versus the windshield of a big rig doing 70 miles per hour down the highway. There's no way that game should have been played as one team pays their quarterback alone more than the other pays their entire roster. Good teams should be forced to play good teams. They shouldn't be allowed to schedule their own tomato cans for guaranteed wins each year. The NFL. I don't understand that. By the way, the NFL gets this right and routinely produces competitive games in nearly every matchup while the top college teams might only play three or four equals each year. I still love college football the most. But if I want to watch competitive football, the NFL it is. Thanks for all you do and go blue.

[Clark Howard]

Okay, now I'm gonna set off a storm here.

[Krista]

Oh boy.

[Clark Howard]

You think you set off a storm talking about politics? No, I'm gonna set off a storm talking about salary caps. College football is sowing the seeds of its demise by exactly what you said in your post. Having this enormous disparity and the money being shoved into players pockets at a few dozen schools and everybody else is the have not. It's eliminating the competitiveness where any team can beat any other team in the NFL on Sunday. In college that's become a joke. So what has to happen if college football does not want to sow the seeds of its own destruction is there has to be like the NFL has an amount of money that goes into a pile and that is what a team can spend on talent. So what will have to happen in college football? There are a lot of universities are going to opt out of that kind of thing. So we're going to have to go to a super division that would be under the salary cap and then all the other schools that aren't really interested in spending just unbelievable arms race money to win a trophy in football. I mean, that's just my thing. I know that there are going to be people are going to be unhappy with me, but you just can't have a system with a few hundred colleges and then only a few dozen have all the best players because they are the ones with all the money they're shoving in their pockets. One person's opinion has nothing to do with what we normally do. Remember you're unhappy with me about that. Go to clark.com clarksthinx and then Krista can read that on Clark Stinks. Coming up ahead, digital IDs. Do you use them yet? I sure do.

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[Clark Howard]

I love the digital id. In fact, I got a digital driver's license when my state joined the system for iPhones and Androids. So I've had it for a good while and it's great because there are situations I can use instead of having to fumble or my driver's license. At most TSA places I'm able to tap with my phone just as I if they need to see my boarding pass, I can show that. But all I got to do is tap at the TSA stations. They're updated and they already know who I am. It's so much easier. And you got a backup. Now, it's not universal yet. Not everybody's going to say, yeah, your digital ID is fine, but where it is, it makes it so much easier. And now if you're one of the many, many Americans who have a passport, you can do a digital download of your passport to your iPhone or your Android. And the system is designed to be tamper proof with a process that validates you are who you say you are when you load it on your phone. And so more and more when you come back into the country, you're going to, instead of having to fumble for your passport to pull it out, you're going to be able to use the tap to pay function on your iPhone or your Android and tap your way back into the country with your phone. Is it going to make a big difference in your life? No, because at this point in most states you still have to. If you guys stop, you see the lights behind you, you get stopped, you're still going to have to show your physical driver's license. We're a bit away from when you're not going to have to carry it with you anymore, but of course that will come as well. And how nice that's going to be because I think about how often people will absentmindedly forget their ID or wallet or whatever. Do you ever forget?

[Krista]

Not very often, but I did just do this because you talked to me about this the other day and it's really easy. You go into Google Wallet in my case, or Apple has this Apple Pay and you store, you click. There's a place where you can add an identification which would be, you know, your driver's license, whatever, and then that you put your state, which state you're in. So there's a different procedure for every state. I put in all my information, took pictures of my license, the front and back. And then they submit it to my state to get it approved. And it came back within, like, an hour, and it was approved. And in there, it's very, very. They really do walk you through it.

[Clark Howard]

And you also have to take a picture of yourself.

[Krista]

Oh, yeah.

[Clark Howard]

That. It validates where you're looking up. Yeah, they. They. It validates that the person adding it is actually the person whose driver's license or passport is. And so if somebody steals your phone and you're not carrying your driver's license, you say, clark.

[Krista]

Well, but I.

[Clark Howard]

You're an idiot.

[Krista]

You should have your wallet or in your Apple pay, you should. You should close that app after every time.

[Clark Howard]

Oh, no, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about. Then you don't have it.

[Krista]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Clark Howard]

You don't have.

[Krista]

I do want to say that physical.

[Clark Howard]

Driver'S license it every time.

[Krista]

And make sure that you password protect that app with the. I use my fingerprint. Just because you don't want. If someone does get a hold of your phone in that way, too, they could have access to all these things.

[Clark Howard]

Yeah. And I talked about last year, not to get ghoulish, but the terrible crime wave that happened in New York and Miami. And I forget what other cities where criminals were drugging people with iPhones who they had scoped were wealthy, and then they were using their face to get into their brokerage accounts, bank accounts, and transfer out their money. Those were ugly crimes that ended up some of the people they drugged unfortunately overdosed and died. So that's an extreme case. But for the most part, that kind of thing is so isolated. I would not use that as a reason not to go digital with your driver's license or your passport.

[Krista]

All right, let's go to some questions. Matt has one about passports. This is Matt in Colorado. Actually, it's not a question. Hello, Clark. In one of your podcasts, you were talking about your passport and when you can renew. I just wanted to tell you about an outstanding experience I had with the State Department website when I went to renew my passport through their online option. You cannot renew your passport online until it's within one year of expiring. The process was quick and simple, with me taking a selfie, which will be used on my passport. On the website, it said it would take four to six weeks for delivery. I filled the form out on a Sunday afternoon, submitted it, and I received my passport in the mail that Thursday. I did not pay for any expedited service or expedited postal service delivery. And yes I received it in four days. It was amazing. And to add to that, it was during the government shutdown. I am usually the first to criticize the efficiency of our government bureaucracy, but I also have to give credit when the government goes above and beyond like the State Department did with my passport.

[Clark Howard]

All right, other than people who are in a death emergency situation and get an ultra expedited passport, I have never heard of somebody getting just a standard renewal in four days, three days, whatever. I mean that's incredible. But the new digital renewal process, if you're eligible for it, absolutely 100% do it. Not the old fashioned way of having to fill out all that mind numbing paperwork and go have it submitted in person.

[Krista]

This is from Allen in Texas. I love your show and advice. Like you, I'm put out with the Southwest Visa card and I plan to cancel it just before the renewal date. I would like to replace it with the Capital One Venture X card. My credit is currently frozen and my FICO score is 839. I own my house and cars and I have no debt. I would prefer not to submit a credit application for a new card. I how should I go about obtaining the new card? I can open a checking account with Capital One and hope they pre approve me for the card. Is there another way or I just have to fill out an application? The Southwest Visa expires in June of 26. Thank you for being you.

[Clark Howard]

Well you are so kind and no thank you to Southwest becoming something else. Oh my goodness.

[Krista]

Just a little upset.

[Clark Howard]

I booked a flight for January 28th. It was the first. That's the second day that they have the seat assignments and it felt so creepy with all the attempts to charge me more money for seat assignment anyway so I already have canned my rapid rewards card as I shared before. So yes, you're going to have to thaw your credit and you're going to have to do the online application to get the Venture X. Do it based on when the best deal is available for bonus miles because they rotate in and out with better and worse deals for sign up bonus miles. Capital One Venture X today in my opinion is the best of the free agent mileage credit cards 2x minimum earned on every purchase. Nobody else does that.

[Krista]

This is from Tom in Colorado. Is it worth paying an annual fee to have a credit card with primary insurance for rental cars? I have several cards with secondary insurance, but after a recent scare my son had with a cracked windshield in a rental car, I'm considering converting My Chase Freedom Unlimited to a Chase Sapphire Preferred. I'm usually very opposed to paying annual fees, but I wonder if $95 is worth it in this case. My wife and I probably rent a car four or five times a year and I'd plan to add our son as an authorized user so he can piggyback on the benefit. And yes, I know I could get a signup bonus and apply for the card, but I don't want yet another card sitting in the drawer that I don't use and yet I need to try and keep it and then you need to try and keep it active. Oh, and the lower cashback rate doesn't matter as our everyday card is the Fidelity visa with a 2% cashback.

[Clark Howard]

Yes, 100%. You rent cars four times a year. Without doubt having the Chase Sapphire Preferred with primary coverage is 100% a brilliant idea. It's not a smart idea. It's a brilliant idea because at $95 till they change their mind and eliminate primary coverage, it is the best deal I know of going of any card in the United States to get primary rental car coverage where you can say no to all the junk they try to sell you at the car rental counter and not have to worry about how much of it you're going to have to pay or having to involve your own automobile insurer. Now you have to involve your own automobile insurer whether you're in a rental car or your own vehicle. If you know Krista, what if the damage to your vehicle came from you being in a wreck with another vehicle? Because all this stuff we talk about with credit cards providing car rental coverage doesn't cover your liability if you damage somebody else's vehicle and it's your fault. But it does handle all the stuff with the car rental agencies which is priceless. You not having to be involved in a back and forth with them about what the car rental agency is trying to charge you for damage to a rental car. Primary coverage. It's the deal.

[Krista]

And I just want to give a quick shout out before we go to the deals team. Speaking of deals, yes, this is probably the last week you probably want to ship stuff if you're going to buy holiday gifts. And they have been working so hard like they are just working around the clock seven days a week to try to find the best deals if you're looking for them and you can afford them and, and I'm so impressed with them. Charis, who runs that team, the whole team, they're just awesome.

[Clark Howard]

Through Black Friday month, the month of November. I don't know that anybody on our deals team ever slept.

[Krista]

I know, I know because they were.

[Clark Howard]

Posting stuff all the time. So what we do that I'm so proud of our team for, so we don't waste your time, we don't tout a non deal deal just because you.

[Krista]

Know, to get paid for it or something.

[Clark Howard]

Right? Kristen and I were talking about the other day, not on the podcast, we were talking about the investigation of Amazon that the Prime Day deals, a lot of them were completely bogus, that the prices were actually higher than they'd been on Amazon both before and after prime days. That's the problem with sales, is that people say something's a deal, but how do you really know? And that's one of the things that we do at Clark Deals that I think is so great to help you save more, spend less by telling you when a deal really is a deal. Because we never want you to feel after you just heard what I said about Amazon Prime Days that you got ripped off. So have a great, great weekend and we will be at your service Monday.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. You know one of the perks about having four kids that you know about is actually getting a direct line to the big man up north. And this year he wants you to know the best gift that you can give someone is the gift of Mint Mobile's unlimited wireless for $15 a month. Now you don't even need to wrap it. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Mint Mobile Commercial Voice]

Of $45 for three month plan equivalent to 15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes if network's busy. Taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.