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].
How Does Clark Suggest You Overcome the Fear of Flying?
Travel
October 20th, 2023
Fear is an emotion. As such, it doesn't follow logic or statistics. Sharks kill about 10 people per year. Mosquitos…
How Do I Find Out the Exact Discount for Bundling Home and Auto Insurance?
Insurance
October 19th, 2023
If you haven't paid close attention to your auto and homeowners insurance premiums in the past, you probably are now.…
What Are Clark’s Sports Stadium Cost Savings Tips?
Shopping & Retail
October 12th, 2023
Just a few years ago, COVID-19 took some favorite American activities and brought them to a screeching halt. Cruises. Flights.…
Clark Howard’s Advice on Buying Gold
Investing & Retirement
October 11th, 2023
Gold is one of the most popular investments in the world. In fact, according to the data-driven visual content site…
My Lawn Mower Broke. What Does Clark Think About Self-Mowing vs. Hiring a Lawn Service?
Homes & Real Estate
October 10th, 2023
Deciding whether to mow your own grass or to hire a service to do it for you is one of…
How Do I Know Whether I’m Getting a Good Price on Gutter Protection Covers and Other Household Improvements?
Homes & Real Estate
October 6th, 2023
If you own a home, you've probably considered an addition or renovation at some point. Perhaps you've even heard an…
Fisher Investments Review: Is Fisher Really a Fiduciary?
Investing & Retirement
October 4th, 2023
Outside of the biggest names such as BlackRock, Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard, Fisher Investments is one of the most recognizable…
Can I Use a Target Date Retirement Fund for Intermediate Savings?
Budgeting & Saving
October 3rd, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard loves target date retirement funds. Inside of a retirement account, they offer portfolio diversity, risk management…
The Only Two Exceptions to Clark Howard’s Annuity Rule
Investing & Retirement
September 30th, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard hates most annuities. He even calls "annuity" a "curse word" on his podcast. However, there are…
Is Clark Concerned About the Underperformance of International Stocks in Funds?
Investing & Retirement
September 29th, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard often gives investing advice based on behavioral economics. Imagine that a doctor prescribes the perfect medicine…
Should I Prepay for My Funeral?
Wills & Funerals
September 28th, 2023
"Nothing is certain but death and taxes," Benjamin Franklin once wrote. The fact that we're going to die one day…
What Is a Financial Advisor and Do I Need One?
Investing & Retirement
September 28th, 2023
Considering that as little as 1% of the U.S. population uses a financial advisor, there’s understandably some mystery about what…
Is It a Good or Bad Idea To Buy a Rental Car?
Cars
September 21st, 2023
Buying a car is the second-most expensive purchase that many of us make in our lives. So it makes sense…
Betterment Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons
Investing & Retirement
September 19th, 2023
If you're reading a Betterment review, you probably already know something about robo-advisors. But how do they work, and what…
What Do I Need To Do To Make Sure My Financial Affairs Are in Order Before I Die or Become Disabled?
Life
September 15th, 2023
A hard truth about life is that we never know how long it will last. Many of us prefer not…
Does Clark Recommend a Separate 529 Account for Each Child?
Education
September 15th, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard extolls the virtues of 529 plans every chance he gets. You put money into those plans…
How Much Charge Volume Do You Need To Make a Travel Rewards Credit Card Worth It?
Credit Cards
September 15th, 2023
The idea of a travel rewards credit card sounds fantastic. Book travel through your credit card and get rewards that…
How Often Does Clark Book Travel Via Capital One Travel When It’s Often More Expensive?
Travel
September 13th, 2023
In some ways, money expert Clark Howard is the perfect travel rewards credit card customer. He never carries a credit…
Wealthfront Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons
Investing & Retirement
September 12th, 2023
As I hope you'll understand after reading this Wealthfront review, if you want to outsource your investing but don't want…
How Do I Find a Mechanic To Inspect the Car if I Find a Used Vehicle Hundreds of Miles Away?
Cars
September 11th, 2023
The best way to get a good deal on anything you're going to buy is to comparison shop. Considering a…
I Don’t Like My Car but I’d Be Upside Down if I Traded It In. Is There Anything I Can Do?
Cars
September 11th, 2023
Test drives can convince even the most skeptical of us that we'll like a specific vehicle. It's clean. The salesperson…
What Websites Does Clark Use To Look for Deals on Airfare, Hotels and Cruises?
Travel
September 11th, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard started a successful travel agency during his 20s and sold it in his 30s. When he…
What Does Clark Do for Clean Underwear and Socks Since He Doesn’t Check Bags on Flights?
Travel
September 11th, 2023
Money and travel expert Clark Howard famously doesn't check a bag when he flies. Even when he's going on a…
Raisin Review: Can You Trust This Online Savings Marketplace?
Online Banking
September 8th, 2023
People are paying closer attention to savings accounts after the Fed raised rates more than 5% in less than 17…
How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor
Investing & Retirement
September 6th, 2023
If you want to learn how to find a financial advisor you can trust, you've come to the right place.…
IRA Withdrawal Rules: Early Withdrawal Penalty & Exceptions
Investing & Retirement
September 6th, 2023
If you're funding your retirement through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you'll want to know the IRA withdrawal rules to…
What Do You Recommend for a College Grad Who Wants a Credit Card To Establish Credit?
Credit Cards
September 6th, 2023
Establishing credit early is a good habit. It can help you secure a mortgage or auto loan, get you the…
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Flights? And Should I Buy Separate Insurance for Each Part of My Trip?
Insurance
September 1st, 2023
Planning a trip involves lots of unknowns and unpredictability including weather, family emergencies, job requirements and more. No one wants…
I Just Graduated With $5,000 in Walmart Stock. How Can I Convert It Into a Roth IRA?
Investing & Retirement
August 30th, 2023
There are summer jobs that pay decent hourly wages to students. And then there are jobs you work while you're…
How Does Booking Travel Through a Credit Card Rewards Program Compare?
Travel
August 29th, 2023
Travel rewards credit cards are exciting. Who doesn't want to be earning points toward a dream vacation every time you…