Full Show: Clark Stinks! and Clark's Job Market Prediction | Clark Howard Video

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, there’s a term being used to describe the job market: frozen. Clark explains what this means and predicts what he thinks will happen to jobs over the next several months, including where the opportunities will likely be.

All this and more on the April 11, 2025, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Clark Stinks - Clark, I still love you, but you missed a key point on maximizing credit card rewards for a $40K airline ticket purchase. The caller already had the Chase Sapphire Preferred, so the Chase Reserve bonus wouldn’t apply. Instead, they should have opened multiple cards to stack sign-up bonuses—easily netting 300K+ points! Love the show, and my cat is named Costco! (Linda)
03:40 - Clark Stinks - Following Clark’s used car financing advice left a bad smell! Took a loan for $42K, planning to pay it off immediately—but hit unexpected payment limits and delays with the title. Also, interest accrued faster than expected. Maybe we should’ve just paid the dealer upfront? Lesson learned, but still love Clark! (Maureen)
05:45 - Clark Stinks - Clark’s oil change advice smelled fishy! Never trust the owner’s manual—car companies want your engine to wear out sooner. With tighter engine tolerances today, owners should change oil every 5K miles. Oil is cheap, engines are expensive! (Warren)
07:06 - Clark Stinks - Clark’s HVAC energy-saving tip was almost right, but he missed a key point. Setting the thermostat too high in humid areas like Georgia means the AC won’t run enough to remove humidity, which can cause damage like warped wood floors. Clark, you don’t stink—but you should always smell like fresh linen! (Hemang)
08:35 - Clark Stinks - Clark, give it up! Birthdays are unavoidable. Google Play, Amazon, and healthcare systems all demand proof of age. Even for pepper spray, Amazon sellers want your driver’s license. Resistance is futile! (Christa & Team Clark Fan)
09:36 - Clark Stinks - Clark, your Roth IRA income limit advice smelled like a moldy gym locker! On March 31, you said phase-outs start at $250K (single) and $500K (married)—but for 2025, the IRS says it’s $150K-$165K (single) and $236K-$246K (married). Big difference! (JG)
11:23 - Clark Stinks - Clark, your credit card bonus and merchant fee transparency takes had a funky odor! Someone spending $40K on flights should open 2-3 cards for stacked sign-up bonuses. And while Australia discloses merchant fees, thinking the U.S. will follow? We can’t even get full concert ticket prices upfront! (Pete)
11:23 - Clark Stinks - Clark, you stunk up my 529 plan question! You said I "can’t just transfer" a 529 from parent to grandparent, but my Ohio College Advantage plan allows it via a simple form. Schools might ask about grandparent-owned accounts, but I’m willing to take that risk. Can you clarify? (Barry)
12:43 - Clark Stinks - Clark, thanks to you, I stink now too! My Detroit hotel wanted $49 for valet, but thanks to your show, I found a $10 spot next door. Saved $39—but got some dirty looks from the valet. Keep us on our toes! (Jennifer)
16:00 - Clark's Job Market Prediction
20:57 - Ask Clark - Some cruise lines offer a Purchase Protection Program to refund price drops for an extra fee. I used it and saved $500. Is this worth it, or is there a better strategy? (Dan in Florida)
23:22 - Ask Clark - A podcast host mentioned 3–4 credit bureaus that only track payday loans, separate from Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, and Innovis. Do you know which firms these are? (Gary in South Carolina)
25:45 - Ask Clark - My boss called an 800 number on her bank statement to dispute a charge, but it was a scammer. Should we always contact companies directly instead? (Lisa in Florida)

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