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New homes may be a better deal than used ones

Several just-released home market stats highlight how stinky the real estate market has become. In the latest session of Clarkonomics, Clark explains how the current market situation is turning some of his long-standing advice on its head. New stats show that home prices in 10 major metro areas are down 8.5 percent from a year earlier. That's the worst number since stats have been kept. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department reports that sales of new homes have dropped 27 percent -- the worst since record keeping began 44 years ago. Finally, the National Association of Realtors reports that overall home sales are down 13 percent over the last year. Add it all up and there's no denying that the new home market is in much worse shape than the used home market.

If you read Clark Smart Real Estate, you know that Clark spoke about people putting too much focus on foreclosures; and about how buying used is a better deal than Read More...

Find more real estate tips in Clark Howard's book, Clark Smart Real Estate

GH makeup survey touts inexpensive cosmetics

In Clark’s sixth book, “Clark’s Big Book of Bargains,” Clark wrote about how women can save money on make up. And he’s gotten more feedback on that section of the book than any other. Women have complained that price does matter when buying cosmetics. But Clark is smiling because a new report from Good Housekeeping says that it really doesn’t matter.

The two lipsticks that got the highest scores from Good Housekeeping were from Maybelline and Cover Girl. They cost $6 and $4 respectively, and they beat out all of the expensive lipsticks. A $4 nail polish out performed an $18 nail polish. And the same theme was repeated over and over. The testers were blindfolded, so they had no idea what products they were using. So, why spend money you don’t have to spend.

Find more tips like these in Clark Howard's Book, Clark's Big Book of Bargains!

Teach kids about money by investing

Kids have a tough time understanding money. Some don’t even know that money is real, in fact.

Clark remembers going to the candy store and buying candy bars when he was a kid. A candy bar cost 5 cents, and back then it was a lot. Today, he gives his daughter $1 for helping him and she doesn’t think it’s very much. So, how can kids learn the value of money?

One way is to open a mutual fund for your child and let him or her watch it grow. You teach your child ownership and responsibility.

Learn more about kids and money in Clark Howard's book, Clark Smart Parents, Clark Smart Kids

The real impact of saving $5 a day

Saving just $5 a day everyday can have an enormous impact on your financial future, according to syndicated Los Angeles Times columnist Kathy Kristof. When it comes to this topic, everybody loves picking on Starbucks! But people also blow a Lincoln a day on buying breakfast or lunch on the go. For those who do come up with the extra $5 everyday, here's how it can grow with interest over the years: After 10 years, you'll have $29K; after 20 years, it will be $105K; and after 40 years, a whopping $800K!

Some of us are so careful with our money that we couldn't come up with an extra $5 a day. However, most of us could. Clark challenges listeners to write down everything they spend money on while walking around during the next 2 weeks. This will help you see where you can... Read More...

Find these tips and more in Clark Howard's book, Get Clark Smart

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