Clark Howard

Clark Howard is a nationally syndicated consumer expert who advises consumers how to save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off. His radio show is heard every day on more than 200 radio stations throughout North America. He is also co-host of HLN's nightly news program Evening Express with CNN's Ryan Smith and Isha Sesay.

"Save more and spend less" is more than just a motto for Clark; it's a way of life. As a successful lifelong entrepreneur, media star and best-selling author, the Atlanta-based "consumer champion" is dedicated to helping Americans of all means get ahead in life.

Clark's career included stints in both government and private sectors. He was a civilian employee working for the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Vietnam War. He launched a travel agency in 1981 that grew into a chain with locations across metro Atlanta. In 1987, he sold the company at 31 and retired.

Clark found his way into the public eye almost by accident. While enjoying retirement on the pristine beaches of Florida, he was asked to be a guest on a radio show about travel. The response was so positive that he was given his own program, The Clark Howard Show. The show originates from Atlanta's AM 750 and NOW 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB and is syndicated by Dial Global.

In his TV work , Clark uses Evening Express as a venue to provide actionable consumer information and tips, plus personal financial perspectives to the day's news. Evening Express airs live every weekday from 5-7 pm ET from HLN's world headquarters in Atlanta.

He is also a TV reporter on Atlanta's ABC affiliate WSB-TV. In addition, Clark's weekly newspaper column in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is syndicated to multiple papers throughout the Dayton, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, markets.

The consumer champ's most recent book, 2011's Clark Howard's Living Large in Lean Times: 250+ Ways to Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter, and Save Money, covers everything from cell phones to student loans, coupon websites to mortgages, investing to saving on electric bills, and beyond. It became his first No. 1 New York Times bestseller in Sept. 2011.

Clark has published nine books in total -- with 2002's Get Clark Smart and 2003's Clark's Big Book of Bargains also charting on The New York Times' "Best Sellers" list (No. 6 and No. 7, respectively). Clark's books are available through GetClarkSmart.com.

As an Atlanta native, Clark has always been very involved in improving his community. He started several civic programs, including Atlanta Volunteer Action, Volunteer Action, Inc., The Big Buddy Program and Career Action. With the help of his listeners, he has built 43 homes over 16 years throughout metro Atlanta for Habitat for Humanity.

In 1993, he opened Team Clark Howard (formerly the Consumer Action Center) as an extension of his radio show to provide free off-air advice on consumer issues 45 hours a week. Team Clark Howard is now staffed by more than 140 volunteers.

The consumer champ is also a member of the Georgia State Defense Force. Clark joined after the terrorist attacks of 2001 to do his part in helping to prepare and assist our military. He attends monthly training workshops around the state as part of his service, and has performed medical evacuation work in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.