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]
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September 23rd, 2021
What if you could buy furniture, clothes or other household items by paying just 25% upfront? That's the basic premise…
Opinion Outpost Review: Is This Survey Site Legit?
Make Money
September 17th, 2021
If you want to make money by answering surveys online, Opinion Outpost is an option that will most likely turn…
InboxDollars Review: How Much Money Can You Make?
Make Money
September 9th, 2021
Do you dream about making money online at any time of the day while you relax by the pool or…
Honeygain Review: Is This a Safe Option for Passive Income?
Make Money
September 1st, 2021
Honeygain's slogan is "Passive Income -- Effortlessly." That's pretty catchy and could be quite the lure. But what is Honeygain…
Wells Fargo To Maintain Some Lines of Credit After Criticism
Banks & Banking
August 23rd, 2021
Wells Fargo announced in July that it was shuttering all personal lines of credit. This week, CNBC reported that the…
Swagbucks Review: How Much Money Can You Make?
Make Money
August 19th, 2021
If you're searching for ways to make money online, you've probably come across Swagbucks. The online rewards portal awards you…
16 Ways To Make Money Online as a Teenager
Make Money
August 17th, 2021
Thanks to a booming digital economy, online jobs for teens are plentiful. If you're a teenager who wants to learn…
23 Best Passive Income Ideas To Build Wealth
Investing & Retirement
August 11th, 2021
Passive income can help you achieve financial freedom and live the life of your dreams. Who doesn't want to get…
Acorns Review: How It Works, Pros & Cons
Investing & Retirement
August 11th, 2021
If you're looking for companies to help you invest your money, one big player is the Acorns platform. In this…
There’s a New Way To Invest Money: With Your Cell Phone Bill
Budgeting & Saving
August 9th, 2021
There's a new corporate partnership that can help consumers get a boost in their efforts to save and invest. If…
What’s Happening With Robinhood’s Stock?
Investing & Retirement
August 6th, 2021
Robinhood's stock has sent investors and short-term traders into a frenzy less than one week after its IPO. Trading under…
Need Money: How To Make Quick Money in One Day
Jobs
August 3rd, 2021
Maybe you need money now, but your paycheck isn't hitting your bank account today. Or maybe you're just interested in…
What Are Dividend Stocks and Should You Invest in Them?
Investing & Retirement
July 28th, 2021
Is building a dividend portfolio a good idea, and what are the best dividend stocks? In this article, I'll tell…
High-Interest Savings Accounts With Conditions: Are They Worth It?
Investing & Retirement
July 21st, 2021
We're in the midst of a long stretch of historically low interest rates. Getting much more than 0.50% APY in…
Clark’s Take: Should You Invest in Stocks at All?
Investing & Retirement
July 12th, 2021
Money expert Clark Howard isn't a fan of investing in individual stocks. Clark thinks putting an outsized percentage of your…
Wells Fargo Is Closing All Personal Lines of Credit
Banks & Banking
July 11th, 2021
In a move that surely will make a negative impact on the credit score of some of its customers, Wells…
How To Calculate Compound Interest
Investing & Retirement
July 9th, 2021
Whoever came up with the phrase, "It takes money to make money," was probably a big fan of compound interest.…
ETF vs. Mutual Fund: Which Investment Is Better?
Investing & Retirement
July 1st, 2021
The difference between an ETF vs. a mutual fund may seem trivial, as both are available as part of professionally-managed…
Target Date Funds vs. Index Funds: Which Are Better for You?
Investing & Retirement
June 22nd, 2021
Money expert Clark Howard is a huge proponent of target date funds as a way to invest for retirement. He…
What Is a Mutual Fund?
Investing & Retirement
June 22nd, 2021
A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that gives you access to a diversified, professionally-managed portfolio. In this article, I'll…
Best Target Date Funds: 3 Top Picks
Investing & Retirement
June 17th, 2021
The best target date funds offer a one-stop solution for low-cost retirement investing. In this article, I'll highlight the target…
Ally Bank Eliminates Overdraft Fees
Banks & Banking
June 14th, 2021
Ally Bank has stopped charging overdraft fees to any of its customers. Ally temporarily waived some overdraft fees starting in…
What Are Index Funds?
Investing & Retirement
June 10th, 2021
Index funds are among the most popular retirement investments. But exactly what are they, and what are the best index…
What Is a 401(a) and How Is It Different From a 401(k)?
Investing & Retirement
June 7th, 2021
A 401(a) retirement plan is much less common and more quirky than a 401(k). However, there are many similarities between…
What Is a SIMPLE IRA and How Does It Work?
Investing & Retirement
May 27th, 2021
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Full-Service Financial Advisor vs. Hybrid Robo-Advisor: What’s Best for Me?
Investing & Retirement
April 30th, 2021
Money expert Clark Howard often recommends Vanguard Personal Advisor Services (PAS) to people who want to hire a financial advisor.…
IRA Withdrawal Rules: Early Withdrawal Penalty & Exceptions
Investing & Retirement
April 26th, 2021
If you're funding your retirement through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you'll want to know the IRA withdrawal rules to…
401(k) Withdrawal Rules: Early Withdrawal Penalty & Exceptions
Investing & Retirement
April 26th, 2021
If you're thinking of retiring -- especially if you’re considering retiring early -- it's important to understand the 401(k) withdrawal…
401(k) Match: What Is It, How It Works
Investing & Retirement
April 21st, 2021
If your company offers a 401(k) match, get excited. You have an opportunity to stockpile free money for your retirement.…
Comparing Hybrid Financial Advisors: Vanguard vs. Schwab vs. Fidelity
Investing & Retirement
April 19th, 2021
Are you looking for a financial advisor? Money expert Clark Howard loves to recommend the hybrid advisor options from Vanguard,…