Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich From America's Money-Saving Expert [Paperback]

Clark Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2002

Clark Howard answers all these questions and many more in Get Clark Smart. With practical tips and on-line resources, Howard helps readers to get rich by saving money in unexpected places and investing those savings creatively. Howard has a passion for saving money and a zealots enthusiasm for sharing everything hes learned. His strategies for getting rich by saving wisely will turn readers into financial wizards.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With the third most popular show on radio, and several books including The Consumer Survival Kit (1993), Howard advises the financially challenged on how to get great deals, stay out of debt, and create a financially sound future. With this latest installment, Howard sticks with his bread-and- butter advice on purchasing cars and homes, prudently investing for retirement, and saving money on travel, insurance, and long-distance calling. He even covers a few things we rarely think about but may be suddenly forced to deal with like funerals, small claims court, and identity theft. Howard is all for the little guy, and it's fun to cheer him on when he uncovers sharklike sales tactics, marketing scams, and some plain old good deals available for the savvy buyer. What sets this apart from similar publications is the comprehensive Internet guide, in which readers can find instant price comparisons on many of the bargains listed in the text, as well as some important consumer watchdog sites. David Siegfried
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"It could be worth a fortune to you in the long run." -- USA Today

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (April 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078688777X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786887774
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chock full of wise money advice, January 17, 2004

By 

K. Morris (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich From America's Money-Saving Expert (Paperback)

Just finished reading this book. It's somewhat mis-titled. It's not really a get rich book. It's more of a be careful and wise with your money.

This book covers things like car buying and leasing advice, how not to be taken and get a good deal, investing basics, insurance, home buying and renting, travel advice, Time-Shares, Health Clubs, etc.

Clark Howard is personally responsible for saving me $900 through this book and his radio show, all by doing simple stuff. I heard on his show about the Retirement Savings tax credit that I had failed to take in 2002 and probably would have missed this year. I will make sure to claim it this year and file an amended return last year. That was $400 saved. In the book, he also gave me a source (Costco) to shop for auto insurance that will save me $500 a year for slightly better coverage than I have now. I have checked around at many other companys and never found an offer nearly as good.

The writing is casual, fun, and full of anecdotes of how either Clark or his listeners have used his advice to save money. There's an incredible amount of common sense advice to save and protect you from getting ripped off. All of it is practical and easy. Nothing goofy like only buying 10 year old cars or recycling dental floss.

Read the book, listen to the radio show, and start saving your hard earned money!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, but easy to follow, April 19, 2002

By 

William Finkelstein (Amherst, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich From America's Money-Saving Expert (Paperback)

I didn't expect much from another book of financial advice -- but, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only do Clark Howard and Mark Meltzer cover many areas, but they write in a very clear, concise manner. There are a number of useful financial tips I have already used to save a not inconsiderable amount of money. More importantly, the book will be a great reference tool for my future purchases. Thanks Clark & Mark!

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great on the Basics; little substance beyond that, February 19, 2005

By 

Hammond (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich From America's Money-Saving Expert (Paperback)

I tend to agree with many of the other reviewers. This is a well-written and useful reference guide on how to save money and spend your money wisely. If you're struggling with your finances, this book is a great starting point (if you take his advice to heart and act on it).

If, however, your finances are already in order you'll likely be disappointed in the book. For instance, if you are saving properly for retirement, have little or no credit card debt, budget or otherwise control your spending, have 3-6 months of cash reserves for emergencies, have raised your insurance deductibles and know when (and when not) to file an insurance claim, etc., then there's not much here for you other than an affirmation of what you're already doing. Much of his advice will seem like "common sense" to you.