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].
Do I Need To Re-Visit My Homeowners Insurance Coverage After Years of High Inflation?
Homes & Real Estate
April 18th, 2023
Inflation in the United States has remained above 5% for 25 consecutive months. It overlaps in part with the onset…
Should I Be Upset About the Way the Government Handled My IRS Tax Refund?
Taxes
April 17th, 2023
Until the moment you finalize your tax return, the big question for most people is whether you owe money to…
Fabric By Gerber Life Insurance Review: Designed for New Parents
Life Insurance
April 17th, 2023
If you’re a new parent, you may feel a level of financial stress and responsibility that you haven’t experienced before.…
Should I Ever Buy the Extras That Car Dealerships Sell in Their Finance & Insurance Departments?
Cars
April 14th, 2023
If you buy a car at a dealership, be prepared to get a litany of offers from the dealership's F&I…
Webull Review: Free Stock, Charts Galore
Investing & Retirement
April 13th, 2023
Webull provides investors with a free, mobile-first trading app. In this article, I'll review Webull to help you understand what…
Can I Afford a Penthouse Condo in South Florida?
Homes & Real Estate
April 13th, 2023
A comedian sold his house near Los Angeles and wants to buy a penthouse condo north of Miami. No, there's…
Should I Tap Into My Emergency Fund To Max Out My IRA?
Investing & Retirement
April 12th, 2023
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans and IRAs are crucial tools as you invest for your future. If you've…
Comparing Hybrid Financial Advisors: Vanguard vs. Schwab vs. Fidelity
Investing & Retirement
April 11th, 2023
Are you looking for a financial advisor? Money expert Clark Howard loves to recommend the hybrid advisor options from Vanguard,…
How To Find Missing or Lost Retirement Accounts
Investing & Retirement
April 10th, 2023
Americans have reportedly lost or abandoned more than $1 trillion in retirement funds from previous employers. Fortunately, if you've lost…
Do I Need To Adjust My Tax Withholdings at Work To Account for a Tax Credit?
Taxes
April 7th, 2023
To get a tax credit, you need to owe the IRS at least the full amount that the credit is…
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium Review
Investing & Retirement
April 7th, 2023
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium provides a way to invest your money and get inexpensive access to a team of financial…
Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice Review
Investing & Retirement
April 6th, 2023
Fidelity Personalized Planning and Advice offers robo-investing plus unlimited financial planning and coaching. In this article, I'll explain why money…
I Mailed My Credit Card Payment and They Processed It Late. Will This Hurt My Credit for Years?
Credit Cards
April 6th, 2023
If you still mail payments for monthly bills, the processing times on the other side can impact when your payment…
Is Southwest Airlines’ Early Bird Check-In Worth It?
Travel
April 5th, 2023
Southwest Airlines is unique in that it doesn't offer assigned seating. Its first-come, first-served system is based on how early…
Acorns Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons
Investing & Retirement
April 5th, 2023
If you're looking for companies to help you invest your money, one big player is the Acorns platform. In this…
Why Are Insurance Premiums Skyrocketing Across the Board?
Insurance
April 4th, 2023
The price of eggs, up 70%, is the latest headline-catching price increase during this period of high inflation. But, more…
How Do I Decide Whether To Raise Rent on My Tenants?
Homes & Real Estate
April 3rd, 2023
Money is at the forefront of our minds more often than normal as Americans. Inflation, down from its peak, still…
How To Start Investing for Beginners With Little Money
Investing & Retirement
March 31st, 2023
Want to learn how to start investing with just a little money? You're in the right place -- and more…
My Parents Are Divorcing and My Dad Wants Me To Buy Half of Their House. Should I Do It?
Homes & Real Estate
March 31st, 2023
Mixing family and business can be challenging even in the best of circumstances. How about doing it with your aging…
Should I Pay My Tax Bill With an Introductory 0% APR Credit Card?
Taxes
March 30th, 2023
The IRS requires you to file your 2023 income tax return, or request an extension, by April 18. If you're…
Emergency Fund: Everything You Need to Know
Save Money
March 29th, 2023
You may know what an emergency fund is, but are you sure about where to put it, how much to…
I Want To Buy a House but the Prices and Mortgage Rates Are Expensive. Should I Stay Patient?
Homes & Real Estate
March 29th, 2023
The housing market has been challenging for people in the market since the tail end of 2021. Prices skyrocketed late…
Should You Manage Your Own Investment Portfolio?
Investing & Retirement
March 28th, 2023
Thanks to the internet, managing your own investment portfolio has become more accessible than ever in the last decade. In…
When Do You Tell a Car Dealership You’re Paying Cash?
Cars
March 27th, 2023
Paying cash for a new or used vehicle at a dealership? Chances are you've heard this common advice: Don't tell…
401(k) Rollover: How To Roll Over a 401(k)
Investing & Retirement
March 23rd, 2023
If you've decided to move the funds from your retirement account at your former company, you need to understand how…
What Is a 401(k) Plan and How Does It Work?
Investing & Retirement
March 23rd, 2023
You've probably heard of a 401(k) retirement plan. You may even contribute to a 401(k) plan at work. Even so,…
How Can I Get Rid of My Old Mattress Cheaply?
Shopping & Retail
March 22nd, 2023
Mattresses don't last forever. When you're ready to get rid of your old mattress, you may need to hire someone…
Can You Really Get a $2,000 Bonus for Opening a Citibank Account?
Banks & Banking
March 22nd, 2023
Citibank is offering a bonus of up to $2,000 to new customers who open a checking account. That sounds great.…
Who Should Use a Robo-Advisor?
Investing & Retirement
March 21st, 2023
Robots are slowly invading society, but at least so far, the relationship isn’t adversarial like you see in the movies.…
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…