Craig Johnson is a writer who covers cars, jobs and travel. He joined Clark.com in 2018. Craig has written and edited in newspapers such as The Detroit News and The Atlanta-Journal Constitution as well as for CNN.com and HLN. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he enjoys writing about ways you can get what you want for less by using apps and other money-saving platforms. He also keeps a pulse on the latest scams and tips to help you protect your personal information. You can reach Craig at [email protected].

More posts by Craig Johnson

How much money do you need in retirement?
Report: How Much Americans Say They Need To Retire Investing & Retirement July 6th, 2023
A recent financial study shows that the amount of money U.S. adults think they’ll need in retirement is increasing. Northwestern…
late summer travel deals
When You Can Expect To Find Travel Deals This Year Travel July 3rd, 2023
Travel has been very expensive this year thanks to intense demand. In fact, according to Mastercard, business and leisure travel…
student loan repayment plan
Student Loan Payments Are Restarting: 4 Things To Know Loans July 1st, 2023
Student loan payments are going to restart this fall, according to the U.S. Department of Education (DoE). Most federal student…
tires money
Should I Buy an Extended Warranty on Tires? Cars June 30th, 2023
One of the routine expenses that comes with buying a car is maintaining and eventually replacing its tires.  After you’ve…
best car colors for resale
Report: Best and Worst Car Colors for Resale Value Cars June 20th, 2023
The color of your car can make a $5,000 difference in how much you sell it for, according to a…
saving money
Are You Rich? The Amount Americans Need To Live Comfortably Investing & Retirement June 19th, 2023
With inflation and other economic pressures affecting Americans, what it means to be rich can seem like a fluid concept…
How to spot financial abuse of an elderly relative or friend
How To Spot Financial Abuse of an Elderly Relative or Friend Scams & Rip-Offs June 15th, 2023
Using a variety of ruses and common scams, criminals are steadily trying to trick America’s oldest citizens out of their…
Adjustable rate mortgage
Unprecedented Change to Clark Howard’s Longtime Home Buying Rule Mortgages June 14th, 2023
The dream of homeownership is just that for many Americans — a dream — as stubborn inflation continues to keep…
1% down payment mortgage
Why You Should Not Get a 1% Down Payment Mortgage Homes & Real Estate June 13th, 2023
Although the U.S. economy continues to hum along, current conditions have created some very real barriers for would-be homeowners, making…
Android Phone
5 Ways To Free Up Storage Space on Your Android Phone Cell Phones June 8th, 2023
If you’re like me, you use your cell phone for just about everything, from taking notes to sending emails, taking…
best cell phones and smartphone brands
New Report: The Best Smartphones for Customer Satisfaction Cell Phones June 8th, 2023
Smartphones are some of the most popular consumer products, but among the various brands, there are some customer favorites. The…
Medical data breach
PharMerica Data Breach: What To Know and How To Protect Yourself Protect Your Identity June 5th, 2023
Data breaches have become so commonplace that it's easy to underestimate how dangerous they are to our financial health, according…
Most reliable car brand
Report: The Most Reliable Car Brands Cars June 2nd, 2023
Of all the features and qualities a car can have, reliability is perhaps the most important.If you have a vehicle…
car odometer
Report: Top Vehicles Most Likely To Last 250,000 Miles Cars May 31st, 2023
Cars are one of the most significant purchases we make in our lifetime. Instead of buying or leasing the latest…
retirement plan
New Report: The Age Most Americans Expect To Retire Investing & Retirement May 26th, 2023
There's a huge gap between the expected retirement age for many American workers versus when retirees actually leave the workplace,…
cheap travel deals online
Dollar Flight Club Review: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Travel May 26th, 2023
Traveling for less is one of the most satisfying things you can do to manage your finances. Money expert Clark…
Ask Clark money column
My Social Security Number Is on the Dark Web. What Should I Do? Protect Your Identity May 25th, 2023
As engaging and informative as it is to surf the web or shop online, it’s no fun when you discover…
franchise owner
Clark Howard’s Advice Before You Buy a Franchise Business & Entrepreneurs May 23rd, 2023
Money expert Clark Howard says that the U.S. economy is experiencing a slow but sure pivot as the Federal Reserve…
5 Money Tips To Know Before You Travel Abroad
5 Money Tips To Know Before You Travel Abroad Travel May 23rd, 2023
Traveling to a foreign country can and should be a fun experience, but it can also be very expensive. Money…
Airbnb new upgrades and features
Airbnb Just Made Two Big Changes To Make It Better Homes & Real Estate May 19th, 2023
Airbnb has been an affordable alternative to hotels for many years now, but its reputation has taken a hit as…
small home size
Report: The Median Home Size in Every U.S. State Homes & Real Estate May 19th, 2023
When it comes to home size, some people believe that bigger is better. But as you know, the larger your…
Social Security money
Why Next Year’s Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment May Not Be As Big Investing & Retirement May 16th, 2023
At 8.7%, the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security was huge. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average…
car rental companies
New Report: Best and Worst Car Rental Companies in America Travel May 15th, 2023
Renting a car these days has gotten a bit easier since the rental car shortage, which began a few years…
Best thermostat setting summer
What’s the Best Setting for Your Thermostat During the Summer? Homes & Real Estate May 15th, 2023
The temperature is rising outside and that means keeping your home cool will be a priority for the months ahead.…
Eggs in the dairy aisle at a grocery store
These 13 Grocery Items Are Getting Cheaper Shopping & Retail May 15th, 2023
Going to your local grocery store for a carton of eggs or some butter has been more expensive over the…
carry-on baggage
4 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-On Travel May 11th, 2023
One of the biggest headaches associated with air travel is when you lose your baggage. Money expert Clark Howard says…
car recall
New Report: Automakers With the Most and Fewest Recalls Cars May 1st, 2023
When it comes to buying a new or used car, one thing you might not think about is how likely…
robocalls on mobile phone
New Report: Top 10 Cities for Robocalls Cell Phones April 28th, 2023
Americans continue to be barraged with robocalls, many of them involving scams, according to a new report from YouMail, a…
best time to buy a house
The Best Time To Buy a House in 2023 Homes & Real Estate April 26th, 2023
If you're thinking about buying a house sometime soon, you probably have in mind a specific time of the year…
Fake PayPal invoice scam
Scam Alert: Watch Out for Fake PayPal Invoices Scams & Rip-Offs April 18th, 2023
There’s a scam going around involving one of the most popular payment apps – PayPal. It arrives in your email…