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]
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
How Long Will Walmart’s Free Curbside Pickup Continue?
Shopping & Retail
February 24th, 2023
If you're not a regular Walmart customer, it sounds like a myth. But it's real and it's spectacular. The retail…
What Is a SEP IRA and Who Is Eligible?
Investing & Retirement
February 23rd, 2023
If you're self-employed, contributing to a SEP IRA may be a great way to fund your retirement. In this article,…
Should You Ever Decline a Credit Limit Increase?
Credit
February 23rd, 2023
Congratulations. We just approved you for a credit limit increase of $1,000. Your new limit is $10,000. If you've held…
What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work?
Investing & Retirement
February 23rd, 2023
A solo 401(k) is a retirement plan for the self-employed. If you're a business owner, a solo 401(k) is a…
Who Should Consider Setting Up a Trust?
Money & Credit
February 22nd, 2023
When you prepare your estate for the end of life, you'll probably create a will. But what about a trust?…
Should I Borrow Money To Pay for a Wedding?
Money & Credit
February 21st, 2023
Some people plan their wedding for decades. It's often the happiest day of someone's life. And it's certainly a day…
Empower Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons
Investing & Retirement
February 20th, 2023
This retirement-centric company helps you track and optimize your retirement planning with free tools. It also combines automated investing with…
Do My Spouse and I Need Life Insurance With a Baby?
Insurance
February 20th, 2023
Do I need life insurance? And if so, how much coverage do I need? Those are basic financial questions that…
What’s the Best Place To Sell a Car in 2023?
Cars
February 17th, 2023
As car prices finally start to moderate, it may be time for you to sell the vehicle you're currently driving…
I Have $60,000, Owe $6,000 in Student Loans and Want To Invest in Real Estate. What Should I Do?
Investing & Retirement
February 16th, 2023
Oh, to be young with a bank account full of money and four decades to go before retirement age. That’s…
What’s the Safest Way To Send Money To Buy a Car Out of State?
Cars
February 15th, 2023
Sometimes the best deal on a car or another major purchase isn't anywhere near where you live. That can present…