Hackers target Bengal cat enthusiasts in Australia, who were targeted by cybercriminals using SEO poisoning and Gootloder. This threat is significant enough that Sophos issued an https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2024/11/06/bengal-cat-lovers-in-australia-get-psspsspssd-in-google-driven-gootloader-campaign/official warning advising people to avoid searching for Bengal cat information altogether, highlighting the scale of the issue. ''GootLoader campaigns are increasingly targeting niche interests to stay under the radar. These campaigns illus...

Vehicle prices are continuing on the downward trajectory, which is something that money expert Clark Howard has been saying would happen. “The used vehicle prices are on a steady downturn, and the new vehicles are on a downturn as well but not as steep because they don’t have as far to fall as the used […]

The post Report: 10 Used Cars With Big Price Drops appeared first on Clark Howard.

Vehicle prices have been causing sticker shock for the past couple of years, but money expert Clark Howard says used cars have normalized recently. A recent report from vehicle research site iSeeCars indicates that shoppers are still throwing their dollars toward older used cars as the price of new cars remains stubbornly expensive. Here are […]

The post New Report: The Average Price of a Used Car appeared first on Clark Howard.

Car shoppers have been dealing with inflated vehicle prices for a few years now. With the average price of a new car still pretty high, one option that may have crossed your mind is to buy a car with a salvage title. In the vehicle marketplace, there’s a major stigma attached to buying salvaged cars, […]

The post Should You Buy a Car With a Salvage Title? appeared first on Clark Howard.

It’s no secret that electric vehicles (EVs) are starting to grow on the American public. A study from vehicle research site iSeeCars.com measures the number of EV chargers in the top U.S. cities and their rate of installation as a barometer of how EV-friendly the places are. Which Cities Are the Most Electric Vehicle-Friendly? While […]

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Once you’ve been in a car accident and the insurance company decides to total your vehicle, one of the main things you’ll have to decide is whether to keep the car or not. Insurance companies will typically “total” a vehicle if the cost to repair it is more than the car’s value. And in some […]

The post Should You Keep a Car That’s Been Totaled? appeared first on Clark Howard.

The average price for a new vehicle rose over the past month, but the increase was only negligible, according to the latest sales figures from car valuation site Kelley Blue Book (KBB). How Much Does a New Car Cost Right Now? The average price for a new vehicle was $48,397 in September 2024 — 0.4% […]

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Raise your hand if you’ve ever lost something. If both of your hands are still down, I’m assuming you’re lying or don’t feel like getting questioned by those around you for looking inexplicably silly with your hands up. Whether it’s your wallet, your keys or your sunglasses, you’ve misplaced or left something at some point […]

The post What’s the Cheapest Way To Replace a Lost Vehicle Key Fob? appeared first on Clark Howard.

With all the money you spend on your car, have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive a new vehicle? If so, your options are either to sell your current car outright or trade it in. In either case, one of the first things you’ll need to know is the answer to this question: […]

The post How Much Is My Car Worth? appeared first on Clark Howard.

One major way to reduce your travel costs is to look for ways to save on your car rental expenses. That’s what money expert Clark Howard has done time and time again. Clark says he’s recently put into practice a new strategy to get car rental deals when he travels — and the deals have […]

The post Clark’s Updated Way To Shop for Car Rental Deals appeared first on Clark Howard.

When you buy a car, one of the most important factors is durability, i.e. how long the vehicle will likely last.  Car search engine iSeeCars recently analyzed and ranked the cars that people have kept for 15 years or more. For its report, iSeeCars looked at more than 929,000 vehicles to determine which models are […]

The post 10 Cars That People Keep for 15 Years or More appeared first on Clark Howard.

Welcome to Ask Clark, a column designed to answer your financial questions, by money expert Clark Howard. How Can I Find an Affordable and Legit Online School? Tim from Georgia asks: “I’ve heard you a few times in the past few months say to consider skills and knowledge that may be outside of a career job position. […]

The post Where Do I Look for Affordable and Legitimate Online Schools? appeared first on Clark Howard.

With a little research and extra hard work, there are ways to pay your tuition bills without getting buried in student loan debt.

The post 9 Ways To Pay for College Without Student Loans appeared first on Clark Howard.

It’s a natural inclination for parents to start thinking about a child’s education as soon as their baby is born. Considering the average cost of college in 2022 is more than $35,000 per student per year, a number that always seems to climb dramatically, it makes sense. Investing in a 529 plan allows parents to […]

The post When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use a 529 Plan appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’re interested in learning a new skill, hoping to get a raise at work or considering a career change, taking a free online course could help you get closer to your goal.  In this article, we’re going to take a look at 23 online resources where you can find educational videos and university-level courses […]

The post Where To Take Free Online Courses appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’ve sent kids to college, you’ve probably heard of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA offers federal government aid via loans, grants and work-study options. It determines how much financial aid your children will get for college based on your family’s income and assets. As a parent, that includes your income, investment […]

The post How Do I Avoid the Money in My Bank Disqualifying My Children From Financial Aid for College? appeared first on Clark Howard.

For parents of children with disabilities, tax-free Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts can be an invaluable tool.

The post What Is an ABLE Account? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Money expert Clark Howard extolls the virtues of 529 plans every chance he gets. You put money into those plans and invest it, where it grows tax-free. And then you get to spend it tax-free to pay for your child’s education. The law just got even more friendly toward parents choosing to make use of […]

The post Does Clark Recommend a Separate 529 Account for Each Child? appeared first on Clark Howard.

In past years, contributing to a 529 plan presented a clear risk to parents and grandparents. It’s always been a tax-advantaged way to pay for college. But if the intended beneficiary didn’t go to college, or if they got a scholarship and didn’t need the 529 plan funds, it created a dilemma. You’d have to […]

The post Should I Contribute to a 529 Plan Only To Roll It Into a Roth IRA Later? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Once you’ve decided to continue your education past high school, the next step is choosing where you want to go to school. From less debt to smaller class sizes, community colleges have more to offer than you may realize. In this article, I’ll look at five key benefits of community college you should consider before […]

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If you’ve ever looked for a quick, simple answer from a professional, maybe you’ve stumbled across JustAnswer. I first used the website after my cat had surgery and I wanted to ask a few follow-up questions after the veterinarian’s office had already closed. Recently, I signed up again just to see what new users can […]

The post JustAnswer Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up appeared first on Clark Howard.

The number of drivers who let their insurance monitor their driving has more than doubled in less than a decade! While many drivers were once skeptical of the practice, the benefits are becoming more and more appealing as people make the switch to usage-based insurance. And as car insurance rates continue to climb, even more […]

The post Should You Allow Your Auto Insurance To Monitor Your Driving? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of identity theft! And the AARP found that, “American adults lost a total of $43 billion to identity fraud in 2023.” So, it makes sense that — if protection exists against identity theft exists — you want it. There’s no shortage of […]

The post What Is Identity Theft Insurance and Should You Buy It? appeared first on Clark Howard.

At a time when insurance premiums are skyrocketing, especially for home and auto insurance, people are looking for ways to save money. At 2.4% in September, inflation is much closer to the Fed’s stated 2.0% goal and a far cry from its 9.1% peak. From Dec. 31, 2021, to Oct. 27, 2023, the S&P 500 […]

The post Should I Insure My Cars and Home With the Same Company? appeared first on Clark Howard.

It’s estimated that 27% of people in America live in a condo or homeowner’s association (HOA) property. If you’re one of them, then you’re all too familiar with the double-edged sword that is your HOA. On the one hand, your HOA can ensure that your community is kept to a certain standard. On the other […]

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There’s a high chance your car insurance has gone up recently. If not, the bad news is it might increase at your next renewal. But there’s good news, too. You don’t have to simply accept an auto insurance increase! Take money expert Clark Howard’s advice to save. He says: “This year coming up in ‘25 […]

The post Why You Need To Re-Shop Your Car Insurance Right Now appeared first on Clark Howard.

Deed theft happens when someone steals your home’s title and takes action — or tries to take action — against your property for financial gain. Also called home title theft, this crime isn’t new. But it’s gained more attention as high profile properties, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland, have been targeted. The good news is there […]

The post 4 Signs You’re a Victim of Deed Theft (and How To Avoid It) appeared first on Clark Howard.

Worried about living a life of poverty during your golden years? Longevity insurance is a little-known policy that could prevent that.

The post Longevity Insurance: What Is It and Do You Need It? appeared first on Clark Howard.

With more than 67 million beneficiaries, around one in five Americans is enrolled in Medicare. The federal health insurance program has helped ensure adults over 65 and individuals with disabilities have access to health insurance since 1965. But with regular changes to the program — and our health system at large — it’s no wonder […]

The post Medicare: 10 Things To Know appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you may have been offered the option of an HSA. So what is an HSA? It’s a Health Savings Account. It’s designed to help you pay for health care, but it can also be a great way to plan for the future. In this article, I’ll explain […]

The post What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’ve got comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then there’s a good chance that your insurer will cover the cost of windshield repair or replacement. And insurance companies make it hard to resist! If you live in in Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina, for example, then your insurance can’t charge a deductible on […]

The post Should I Make a Claim on My Car Windshield? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Some credit cards pay you back when an item you've purchased with that card goes on sale later.

The post Everything you need to know about credit card price protection appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you recently signed up to receive cash compensation from the Equifax breach settlement, you must do this now to validate your claim.

The post Your Equifax claim will be denied if you don’t take this additional step appeared first on Clark Howard.

Your Yahoo account may make you eligible for a settlement check. Here's what to know about the Yahoo data breach settlement.

The post Yahoo Data Breach Settlement: How to File a Claim & Get Paid appeared first on Clark Howard.

To help protect you from criminals online, let's look at some tools that store, secure and let you manage all your passwords in one place.

The post 4 Free and Cheap Tools to Safely Manage Your Passwords appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you're in trouble with collection agencies, you have strong rights under federal law to prevent those agencies from harassing you.

The post How To Send a ‘Drop Dead’ Letter to a Collection Agency appeared first on Clark Howard.

When should you give your Social Security number and when should you not? Giving out your Social Security number is something you shouldn’t do unless you know it’s absolutely, positively required for what you’re doing. Companies and institutions ask for our Social Security numbers all the time. Unfortunately, they do a mediocre-to-terrible job of securing […]

The post Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places appeared first on Clark Howard.

You can’t be too vigilant when it comes to computer security. It’s way too often that we hear of a new virus or another type of malware making the rounds. Email is often used to implant malware into a computer or direct the user to a malicious website. Once the computer has been compromised or […]

The post 13 Steps To Keeping Your Email Safe and Secure appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you're going away for a while, you don't want your mail piling up. Here's how to submit a USPS mail hold request.

The post 3 Ways To Set Up a USPS Hold Mail Request appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you're fed up with coming home to a mailbox full junk mail, you should know that there are some things you can do to stop it.

The post 4 Ways To Stop Junk Mail appeared first on Clark Howard.

Have you ever been browsing a website and then later received an email from the company even though you didn’t provide your email address? Or maybe you added items to your cart on a shopping website but decided not to follow through with the purchase. Then you get an email asking whether you forgot to […]

The post How Spammers Get Your Email Address appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’re looking for cheap flight options in the United States or around the world, there are some discount airlines you need to know about.  They may be “flying beneath your radar” because they’re relatively new or they service routes that aren’t at the mega-airports. In this article, I’ll fill you in on where these […]

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Google Flights has released a new feature that allows travelers worldwide to find the best possible airfare deal with one click. The feature is currently being rolled out and should be available globally over the next two weeks. Google Flights Introduces “Cheapest” Tab Look for the new “Cheapest” tab (next to the “Best” tab) to […]

The post Google Flights Just Announced a New Feature To Find Cheap Flights appeared first on Clark Howard.

Wondering how to travel cheap? Money expert Clark Howard has a lot of experience and advice to share when it comes to answering this question!

The post Follow Clark Howard’s #1 Rule To Travel Cheap appeared first on Clark Howard.

Waiting in security lines at the airport has to be on the list of least enjoyable things about traveling in 2024. It’s right up there with traffic jams and canceled reservations. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Thanks to three very affordable programs, you could be skipping to the front of airport security […]

The post TSA PreCheck® vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: Which Is Best for You? appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’re traveling to a faraway place for a long time, there’s a good chance that a car rental would be money well spent for you. A recent survey from CheapCarRental.net indicates that rental rates have dropped just 0.5% compared to a year ago but by about 28% compared to earlier this summer. That means […]

The post Report: 10 Most Expensive U.S. Cities for Car Rentals appeared first on Clark Howard.

Are you holding airline tickets for an upcoming trip? The odds are favorable that you will fly on schedule. However, be aware that the airlines can tweak departure times, flight frequency, and in some cases even swap aircraft models based on customer demand. Monitor Your Flight Status and Know Your Passenger Rights If you’re trying […]

The post Follow These Tips if an Airline Reschedules Your Flight appeared first on Clark Howard.

Many people don't understand their rights as a an airline passenger or when they're due compensation. Here's what you need to know before your next flight.

The post What To Do if Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled appeared first on Clark Howard.

Travel expert Clark Howard holds deep convictions when it comes to travel. Shop the deal first and then figure out what you want to do at the destination. Be flexible on travel dates. Take early flights if you can. Never check a bag. You also won’t find Clark with designer luggage that costs hundreds of […]

The post What Luggage Does Clark Howard Recommend? appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’ve traveled enough, you’ve experienced a horror story with lost or misplaced luggage. Money expert Clark Howard says that airlines often struggle to get baggage from Point A to Point B. Airlines have gone through a roller coaster of sorts. The onset of COVID-19 sank travel demand in 2020 and 2021. When restrictions were […]

The post Should I Buy an AirTag for My Checked Airport Luggage? appeared first on Clark Howard.