Full Show: Clark’s Spring Financial To-Do List & Why Timeshares Are Still a Money Trap

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s the perfect time for some financial spring cleaning. Take a close look at your bank statements and identify the "subscription creep" that’s draining your wallet. A great pro-tip is to designate one specific credit card for all subscriptions; it simplifies your tracking and ensures you know exactly where your money is going every month. Remember, ignorance isn't bliss when it’s your hard-earned cash flying out the door for services you no longer use. Also, despite their notorious reputation, timeshares — now often rebranded as "vacation ownership" — have seen a massive resurgence, with 10 million Americans now invested. Big-name hotel brands have put a shiny new coat of paint on these contracts, offering "points" and flexibility instead of the old-school fixed week and location. Clark’s advice remains unchanged: don't let the dream of easy travel turn into a permanent financial obligation you can't escape. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the April 29, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: https://clark.com/ask 00:00 - Intro 00:29 - Clark’s Spring Financial To-Do List 07:01 - Ask Clark - Are there gyms that allow upfront payment without requiring automatic billing or bank account access? (Judi, Florida) 13:39 - Ask Clark - Is builder financing a home construction project safe compared to getting a traditional construction loan? (Mike, Maine) 16:39 - Ask Clark - Are utility company “benefit” insurance offers legitimate, or just unnecessary add-ons homeowners should avoid? (Kenneth, Georgia) 20:09 - Why Timeshares Are Still a Money Trap 25:59 - Ask Clark - What is the best overseas “trip of a lifetime” for a solo traveler who hasn’t traveled much internationally? (Terry, Pennsylvania) 27:34 - Ask Clark - How should you handle stolen credit cards while traveling, and are forced foreign currency conversions a scam? (Kirk, Wisconsin) 29:46 - Ask Clark - How can I stop persistent spam calls and texts about fake loan offers despite being on the Do Not Call list? (Jim, Georgia) Clark.com: Advice You Can Trust: SUBSCRIBE:    / clark   Listen To The Clark Howard Podcast: https://clark.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lrwhe2... iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/8-the-... Follow Us for More Money Tips: Website: https://clark.com/ Podcast: https://clark.com/podcasts/ Newsletter: https://clark.com/newsletters/ Instagram:   / theclarkdotcom   Facebook:   / clarkhoward   Need Consumer Advice? The Consumer Action Center is a free resource for advice on money and consumer issues. Call 636-49C-LARK (636-492-5275) and a member of Team Clark will assist you as soon as possible. The Consumer Action Center is available Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. If you found this video valuable, give it a like. If you know someone who needs to see it, share it. Leave a comment below with your thoughts. Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. Our Promise to You: At Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com, we do not get paid for endorsements or reviews of any product or service, nor do we allow advertisers to place paid content on our sites. More information: https://clark.com/ad-disclosure/