Howard, Clark 1955-

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Howard, Clark 1955-

PERSONAL:

Born June 20, 1955, in Atlanta, GA; married; children: two daughters and a son. Education: American University, B.A., 1976; Central Michigan University, M.B.A., 1977.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Atlanta, GA. Office—News/Talk Radio 750 WSB-AM, 1601 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309.

CAREER:

Radio and television host, consumer advocate, columnist, and writer. Founded a travel agency, Atlanta, GA, 1981-87; The Clark Howard Show, Atlanta, host, beginning at WSB-AM, 1991—; WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News, Atlanta, reporter. Started civic programs, including Atlanta Volunteer Action, Volunteer Action, Inc., the Big Buddy Program, Career Action, and Consumer Action Center in 1993. Also member of Georgia State Defense Force. Previously worked as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force.

WRITINGS:

WITH MARK MELTZER

Clark Howard's Consumer Survival Kit, Longstreet Press (Atlanta, GA), 1993, revised and expanded edition, 1995.

Clark Howard's Consumer Survival Kit III, Longstreet (Atlanta, GA), 1998.

Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide for the Savvy Consumer, Longstreet Press (Marietta, GA), 2000.

Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich from America's Money-Saving Expert, Hyperion (New York, NY), 2001.

Clark's Big Book of Bargains, Hyperion (New York, NY), 2003.

Clark Smart Parents, Clark Smart Kids, Hyperion (New York, NY), 2005.

Clark Smart Real Estate, Hyperion (New York, NY), 2007.

Author of monthly "Top Ten Tips" column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

ADAPTATIONS:

Clark Howard's Consumer Survival Kit was adapted in a CD-ROM format, Mescon Group (Atlanta, GA), 1994.

SIDELIGHTS:

Clark Howard built a chain of successful travel agencies in Atlanta and essentially retired at the age of thirty-one. However, an appearance on a radio program led Howard to a career in radio and to eventually become host of the syndicated Clark Howard Show. On his show, Howard answers consumers' questions and provides the latest in consumer news. He has also written several books with Mark Meltzer which are aimed at educating the consumer.

Although Howard became wealthy via his travel agency business, he has greatly increased his net worth through his immensely popular radio program and books. In addition, through his column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and his work as a television consumer reporter, Howard has garnered even more revenue. Nevertheless, Howard follows his own advice for living well but cheaply. In a profile of the author, Jane Bennett Clark wrote in Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine: "How cheap is multimillionaire radio host Clark Howard? So cheap he once vacationed in Rochester, N.Y., to take advantage of a $69 plane ticket. So cheap he bought his living-room couch for $99 from the repo man. So cheap he waits for the burgers to go on sale at McDonald's. So cheap his dogs are named for his two favorite places: Costco and QuickTrip."

Howard's foray into writing books with Meltzer began with Clark Howard's Consumer Survival Kit, followed by a series of other consumer advocate books, such as Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide for the Savvy Consumer and Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich from America's Money-Saving Expert. Howard and Meltzer focus on helping people with limited finances in Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide for the Savvy Consumer, which was published in 2000. In their book, the authors write about how to stay out of debt, how to get good deals on everything from cars and homes to travel and insurance, and how to create a good financial foundation for the future. They also cover more unusual topics, such as how to be prepared for funerals and identity theft. "What sets this apart from similar publications is the comprehensive Internet guide" for getting good deals and comparing prices, noted David Siegfried in Booklist.

Howard's 2007 book, Clark Smart Real Estate, written with Meltzer, provides a realistic look at making money in the real estate market. The book is divided into five sections, buying, selling, investing, financing, as well as taxes and insurance. "Honest and direct advice," wrote Barbara Jacobs in Booklist.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 2002, David Siegfried, review of Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich from America's Money-Saving Expert, p. 1492; March 15, 2007, Barbara Jacobs, review of Clark Smart Real Estate, p. 9.

Indianapolis Business Journal, November 5, 2001, Jim Cota, "National Public Radio," p. 59.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, March, 2002, Jane Bennett Clark, "Cheap Talk: Does Clark Howard Have a Deal for You!," p. 112.

Mediaweek, July 31, 2000, Katy Bachman, "Consumer Advocates Proliferate," p. 15; February 4, 2002, "Jones' Radio Syndie Stable in Flux," p. 30; December 9, 2002, "Radio's Howard Renews with Jones," p. 24.

Publishers Weekly, September 10, 2001, John F. Baker, "Big Buy for Radio Star," p. 16.

Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2001, Rodney Ho, "Why Would a Guy with No Kids Buy a Carful of Diapers? For Radio Miser Clark Howard, the Price Was Just Right; Brown-Bagging It to Riches," p. 1.