AI Summary
5 min readOn this episode of the Clark Howard Podcast, Clark warns that winter heating bills are poised to be "ugly" for many Americans, especially in New England where reliance on home heating oil creates stark financial choices. Later, he breaks down a strange split in the grocery aisles: fresh produce is getting cheaper while packaged snack and soda makers are bragging to Wall Street about raising prices, betting that customers won't stop buying Doritos or Coke Zero no matter the cost.
Preparing for High Winter Heating Costs
The most acute pain this winter will hit households in the Northeast and New England that depend on home heating oil. Clark notes that the situation forces "really stark choices" — freeze, skip filling the tank, or fall behind on bills. For those households, he revives advice he hasn't given since the last home heating oil price spike: consider using modern electric space heaters for "zone heating." Unlike the dangerous space heaters of the past, today's models are "so much safer," cheap to run, and pull very small amounts of electricity. The idea—heating only the room you occupy at any given time—is standard practice in much of the world but never caught on in the United States.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:36) **Winter Heating Costs: Home Heating Oil Crisis & Zone Heating** - Clark warns that winter heating bills will be especially ugly for homes using heating oil, particularly in New England, and introduces a safer alternative.
- 2 (07:03) **Listener Q&A: Making a 100-Year-Old Home Energy Efficient** - Clark answers Taylor from Georgia, who paid for attic insulation but saw no savings, and gives specific guidance for older homes.
- 3 (09:27) **Listener Q&A: Costco Executive vs. United Airlines Credit Card** - Joan from Ohio asks which membership or card is better for saving money and convenience.
- 4 (12:11) **Listener Q&A: Why Clark Isn't "Gaga" Over Robinhood** - Connor from Connecticut challenges Clark to explain why Robinhood isn't a top recommendation despite its 3% cash-back card and IRA match.
- 5 (17:52) **Supermarket Price Update: The "Have-To" vs. "Want-To" Divide** - Clark explains the confusing grocery landscape where fresh foods are getting cheaper while packaged snacks and sodas are getting more expensive.
- 6 (21:36) **Listener Q&A: Explaining "Rockets and Feathers" Pricing** - James from Wisconsin asks Clark to explain asymmetric price transmission, where prices shoot up fast (rocket) but fall slowly (feather).
- 7 (24:01) **Listener Q&A: Best Card & Timing for International Travel** - Martha from Oregon asks if she should get a new travel card for a 2027 hiking trip to England, and when to book flights.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Winter heating bills won’t be pretty, especially in markets that rely on oil for heat. What can you do now to prepare? Taking control of monthly expenses comes down to knowing where the real price traps are hiding. Clark unpacks the latest updates on winter heating trends and shifting food prices to help you make smarter financial decisions.
First, discover why home heating oil prices are squeezing homeowners, how steady natural gas supplies are offering relief, and why simple home fixes can keep your home warm without breaking the bank.
Then, Clark exposes what is really happening behind the scenes at the supermarket. While store-brand basics and produce are becoming more affordable, brand-name junk food and processed snacks climb in price as manufacturers test how much shoppers are willing to pay.
Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the October 21, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.
- Winter Heating: Segment 1
- Ask Clark: Segment 2
- Grocery Price Update: Segment 3
- Ask Clark: Segment 4
Mentioned on the show:
- How To Save Money on Utilities - Clark Howard
- 10 Ways To Lower Your Heating Bill - Clark Howard
- Energy Advice for Owners of Older and Historic Homes
- Is a Costco Executive Membership Worth It? - Clark Howard
- These 4 Credit Cards Maximize Costco Purchases in 2026
- United's Credit Card Is Most Expensive Airline Card: Is It Worth It?
- Best Airline Credit Cards for 2026: Are They Right For You?
- What Credit Card Should
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