Christopher Smith is a writer who covers investing, banking, insurance, and making extra money. He joined Clark.com in 2020. He has more than 14 years of writing experience. Christopher has always been interested in personal finance. When he was in elementary school, he would read the Sports and Money section of the newspaper at the breakfast table every morning, tracking the prices of his favorite stocks. He joined the investment club at school and even chose to make his fourth-grade presentation about the stock market. When he’s not working, he spends most of his time with his wife, a first-generation Colombian immigrant and a Physician Assistant. He also likes college football, NFTs, rock climbing and good restaurants. You can reach Christopher at
[email protected]
What Is an ETF?
Investing & Retirement
March 21st, 2023
An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, is a type of investment that you buy and sell through a stock exchange or…
Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts
Online Banking
March 21st, 2023
The best online banks charge you fewer fees and pay you more interest. If you don't mind doing your banking…
7 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in March 2023
Banks & Banking
March 21st, 2023
The best savings accounts help you grow your money safely. But there are major differences in the interest rates you…
Should You Allow Your Auto Insurance To Monitor Your Driving?
Car Insurance
March 21st, 2023
Americans have become more privacy-conscious this century with the maturity of the digital age. There are practical reasons for that…
Should I Turn To Costco for a Home Renovation Project?
Homes & Real Estate
March 20th, 2023
Costco sells all sorts of unexpected items beyond bulk groceries. That includes engagement rings, vacations, furniture, caskets and swimming pools.…
Are Credit Union Deposits Insured Up To $250,000?
Banks & Banking
March 17th, 2023
Silicon Valley Bank, one of the 20 largest banks in the United States, collapsed out of nowhere earlier this month.…
Can I Trust the FDIC’s Recommendations on Getting Insured for More Than $250,000 at a Single Bank?
Banks & Banking
March 16th, 2023
The Silicon Valley Bank meltdown at the end of last week caused a temporary massive panic about the security of…
Should I Prepay for My Funeral?
Wills & Funerals
March 15th, 2023
"Nothing is certain but death and taxes," Benjamin Franklin once wrote. The fact that we're going to die one day…
How Can Discount Drug Apps Offer Such Big Savings on Prescription Medications?
Health
March 14th, 2023
Paying a fair price for healthcare, including prescription medications, often seems needlessly difficult. Sometimes the differences in cost are so…
How To Open a Roth IRA
Investing & Retirement
March 13th, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard thinks Roth IRAs are just about the best tool around when it comes to saving for…
Is Your Money Safe at Your Bank Right Now?
Online Banking
March 13th, 2023
Last week, Silicon Valley Bank became the second of three notable banks to collapse in short order. It took about…
Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card?
Credit Cards
March 13th, 2023
The financial transition from childhood to adulthood can be rough. In addition to gaining responsibilities that you've never held and…
Best 529 College Savings Plans By State
Investing & Retirement
March 10th, 2023
A 529 savings plan gives you a tax-free way to invest in your child's education. But what are the best…
What Is the Largest Homeowners Insurance Deductible That Clark Recommends?
Homeowners Insurance
March 10th, 2023
Raising your homeowners insurance deductible in order to save money may sound counterintuitive. But it's a common strategy to lower…
Is It a Good or Bad Idea To Buy a Rental Car?
Cars
March 9th, 2023
Buying a car is the second-most expensive purchase that many of us make in our lives. So it makes sense…
Is Booking a Cruise Last-Minute Still a Good Bargain Strategy?
Travel
March 8th, 2023
Cruises are a gold standard for people who love traveling the world at relatively affordable prices. If you can find…
What Are Fractional Shares and Where Can I Buy Them?
Investing & Retirement
March 7th, 2023
Fractional shares allow investors to create a diversified portfolio of stocks and ETFs without needing much capital. In this article,…
Will the United States Default on Its Debt Obligations?
Money & Credit
March 7th, 2023
The United States debt ceiling has become a popular, and controversial, topic in the media recently. According to CNN, "the…
9 Best Free Checking Accounts in March 2023
Banks & Banking
March 7th, 2023
The best checking accounts in 2023 are free, and most offer perks to their customers. If you're looking for a…
2 Ways To Guarantee Yourself a Lifetime Stream of Income
Insurance
March 6th, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard hates most annuities. He's even called "annuity" a "curse word" on his podcast. However, there are…
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Offers New, Convenient Rewards Method
Credit Cards
March 6th, 2023
Stacking benefits is one of life's simple pleasures. If you're a Costco member and frequent shopper, that's precisely what you…
Can You Trust Retirement Calculators?
Investing & Retirement
March 3rd, 2023
The premise of a retirement calculator is fascinating. Based on my income, savings rate and assets today, when will I…
What Fee Level Does Clark Consider Acceptable For a Company 401(k)?
Investing & Retirement
March 2nd, 2023
It's easy to find information about investing fees with the best investment companies. If you'd rather not wade through the…
I Need Plane Tickets for an International Trip. Should I Buy Now or Wait?
Travel
March 1st, 2023
Who doesn't want the best deal possible on airfare? Especially if you're traveling internationally, a round-trip ticket can sometimes rival…
Which Is More Practical: Financing a Home Addition or Buying a Bigger House?
Homes & Real Estate
February 28th, 2023
Your current home no longer meets all your needs. Should you buy a different house or renovate the one you…
What Do I Do If Someone Stole My Social Security Number To Get a Job?
Scams & Rip-Offs
February 27th, 2023
Data breaches are unfortunately a common part of our modern digital life. However, Hackers grabbing one of your old passwords…
Target Date Funds: Clark’s Favorite Retirement Investment
Investing & Retirement
February 24th, 2023
Target date funds are the “easy button” for retirement investing. They can take the confusion and research out of investing…
What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work?
Investing & Retirement
February 24th, 2023
If you agree with money expert Clark Howard’s investment philosophy and the term “Roth 401(k)” doesn't already make you smile,…
IRA vs. 401(k): Which Is Better?
Investing & Retirement
February 24th, 2023
If you're contributing to a retirement account in the United States, you've probably debated IRA vs. 401(k). The good news…
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: What’s the Difference?
Investing & Retirement
February 24th, 2023
If you're funding an Individual Retirement Account, your first decision will be a Roth vs. traditional IRA. But what's a…