07.31.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Property Taxes
July 31, 2026
AI Summary
5 min read"I've Got Like a Visceral Hatred of Standing in Line to Check a Bag"
Clark Howard opens his Friday episode with a confession: he's been taken to school by his listeners in the Clark Stinks segment, where callers and emailers point out where his advice has been incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong. The episode then pivots to a brewing crisis that's hitting homeowners across the country — property tax reassessments that are triggering sticker shock, anger, and in some places, outright revolt.
The Clark Stinks Corrections
The listener corrections cover several areas where Clark's advice needed updating. On prescription drugs, Ed from Massachusetts reminded Clark that GoodRx remains a powerful tool, saving hundreds of dollars on both human and pet prescriptions — a service Clark acknowledged he'd recently stopped mentioning. On bill pay, multiple listeners pushed back hard against Clark's warning that paper checks sent through bank bill pay could leave you liable if altered. Anne from California cited the Uniform Commercial Code, arguing that banks can only charge your account for "properly payable items" — altered checks don't qualify. Clark conceded the point but stood by his broader concern: paper checks get stolen in the mail, and by the time you discover the theft, your right to dispute under banking regulations may have expired. "Paper checks are a problem," he s
Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.
Read Full Summary →Free • No credit card required
Never miss an episode of The Clark Howard Podcast
Get every new episode summarized in your inbox — free, ~5 minutes to read.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
What you'll learn
- 1 (01:05) **Show Opening & Clark Stinks Introduction** - Clark introduces the show's mission and teases two main segments: Clark Stinks listener corrections and a deep dive on property tax reassessments.
- 2 (02:24) **Listener Ed: GoodRX Omission** - Ed from Massachusetts calls out Clark for not mentioning GoodRX as a prescription drug savings tool, including for pet prescriptions.
- 3 (03:07) **Bank Bill Pay: Check Safety & UCC** - Several listeners challenge Clark's warning about paper checks sent via bank bill pay, citing the Uniform Commercial Code and bank protections.
- 4 (05:52) **529 Penalty Clarification** - Lisa from Indiana corrects Clark's framing of the 10% 529 penalty, noting it only applies to earnings, not contributions.
- 5 (07:22) **Travel: Checking Bags vs. Carry-On** - Tim from Michigan pushes back on Clark's "never check a bag" rule, describing how checking luggage allows freedom to walk and explore during long layovers.
- 6 (09:03) **Tax Records & Fraud Statute of Limitations** - Joe from Wyoming notes Clark forgot to mention the IRS can go back indefinitely for fraud, so fraudsters should keep records forever.
- 7 (10:52) **Zelle Debate: Security vs. Convenience** - Multiple listeners challenge Clark's long-standing warnings about Zelle, arguing it is more secure than paper checks and that his information is outdated.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, with real estate values skyrocketing past the rate of inflation, homeowners across the country are facing massive property tax hikes—and in some cases, people are literally being priced out of their homes. The core idea should be simple: no one should be forced out of their home due to runaway tax bills. You can appeal on your own, hire a specialized company, or bring in an attorney for larger commercial properties. The key is to act fast: pay close attention to your assessment, check the math, and fight for your money!
All this and more on the July 31, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark.
- Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2
- Property Tax Sticker Shock: Segment 3
- Ask Clark: Segment 4
Mentioned on the show:
- 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs - Clark Howard
- Why Clark Howard Has Ditched Bill Pay and What He's Doing Instead
- When You Should (and Shouldn't) Use a 529 Plan - Clark Howard
- How Long Do You Need To Keep Tax Documents? - Clark Howard
- Safer Ways To Send Money: Clark Howard’s Rules for Protecting Your Cash
- America is in the middle of the biggest property tax revolt in 50 years
- Report: The States With the 10 Highest and Lowest Property Taxes
- A Single Change to Your Car-Buying Habits Could Add $250,000 to Retirement
- The Sneaky Web Tricks Costing You Money - Clark Howard
- Stop Paying for a Credit Card You Barely Use - Clark Howard
Clark.com resources:
More from this podcast
The Clark Howard Podcast →