Clark Howard vs Dave Ramsey - What a difference!

[Purseval]

I have listened to Clark Howard for years and knew about Dave Ramsey but never heard his radio show. Our local station recently added him so I've been listening for about a week. Talk about night vs day! Clark Howard is all about how to save money while Dave Ramsey is all about how to enrich Dave Ramsey. Every call has an ad in between, he recommends people from his website and pushes his courses and books. Clark never endorses anyone who pays him. He writes books but recommends that you check them out from the library for free rather than buy them to save money. Whenever he goes on the road it's always a free seminar.

Since this is a Disney board, Dave is pushing his entreleadership course to be held at the Swan/Dolphin in May. His site doesn't post the price other than you can get $500 off if you register early. Clark would faint if he as much as looked at the price for a room at the Swan

I don't know. Perhaps if I had never heard of Clark Howard then Dave Ramsey would sound just great. There's certainly nothing wrong with his advice or his system. As it is he's a joke. But he did say something to one of his callers that pointed out the major difference between himself and Clark. He said if you're running a business and it isn't making you money it's not a business it's a hobby. Clearly he's running a business. Clark Howard made millions in the travel industry and retired in his thirties. He could make a lot more with what he does now but saving money and being a major tightwad is his hobby and he's doing what he loves to do.

This being the age of the Internet audio stream I suggest that if you've never heard of Clark Howard you do a search and see if you can stream his show and check out the differences for yourself.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I have listened to Clark Howard for years and knew about Dave Ramsey but never heard his radio show. Our local station recently added him so I've been listening for about a week. Talk about night vs day! Clark Howard is all about how to save money while Dave Ramsey is all about how to enrich Dave Ramsey. Every call has an ad in between, he recommends people from his website and pushes his courses and books. Clark never endorses anyone who pays him. He writes books but recommends that you check them out from the library for free rather than buy them to save money. Whenever he goes on the road it's always a free seminar.

Since this is a Disney board, Dave is pushing his entreleadership course to be held at the Swan/Dolphin in May. His site doesn't post the price other than you can get $500 off if you register early. Clark would faint if he as much as looked at the price for a room at the Swan

I don't know. Perhaps if I had never heard of Clark Howard then Dave Ramsey would sound just great. There's certainly nothing wrong with his advice or his system. As it is he's a joke. But he did say something to one of his callers that pointed out the major difference between himself and Clark. He said if you're running a business and it isn't making you money it's not a business it's a hobby. Clearly he's running a business. Clark Howard made millions in the travel industry and retired in his thirties. He could make a lot more with what he does now but saving money and being a major tightwad is his hobby and he's doing what he loves to do.

This being the age of the Internet audio stream I suggest that if you've never heard of Clark Howard you do a search and see if you can stream his show and check out the differences for yourself.

Good analysis of the two show hosts. I like Clark Howard.

 

[Swimalie]

Good analysis of the two show hosts. I like Clark Howard.

I agree. Clark is by far my favorite and you have stated exactly why. I met Clark in person about 6 years ago. He's as nice in person as he is on the radio.

 

[SunnieRN]

I've never heard of him, but I dislike the constant 'selling' on Dave Ramseys site, even though the principals are sound. I'll try to find him. Thanks!

 

[Swimalie]

http://www.clarkhoward.com/

He only wears either free polos from the radio station (WSB in Atlanta) or ones he gets through Costco. He will buy 2 regular McDonald's burgers and put them together to make his own version of a Big Mac because it's slightly cheaper than buying a Big Mac (although I think he might be away from fast food now that he's trying to get healthier). Sadly, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 18 months ago. He's monitoring it well.

 

[eliza61]

I'm not a dave ramsey fan but I just chalked it up to "he's not my style"
I didn't like his constant selling, his constant political complaints and how he demonizing things he doesn't see as worthwhile (ex. new cars or time shares).

I will admit he seems to have help a lot of people including many here. so that's a good thing.

 

[Purseval]

I met Clark in person about 6 years ago. He's as nice in person as he is on the radio.

You mentioning how nice Clark is reminded me of another difference between the 2 I've noticed. Dave is big on real estate investing. Clark is also big on real estate but in a different way: he's already built 39 homes with Habitat For Humanity and I believe they are working on 3 more right now.

 

[SunnieRN]

Here ya go!

http://www.clarkhoward.com/s/podcast/clarkshow/

 

[SunnieRN]

http://www.clarkhoward.com/

He only wears either free polos from the radio station (WSB in Atlanta) or ones he gets through Costco. He will buy 2 regular McDonald's burgers and put them together to make his own version of a Big Mac because it's slightly cheaper than buying a Big Mac (although I think he might be away from fast food now that he's trying to get healthier). Sadly, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 18 months ago. He's monitoring it well.

Gosh, I was a day late and a dollar short! I like this guy already!!

 

[punkin]

I also agree.

 

[palavra]

I love Clark Howard! He gives money saving advice that makes sense. I did read one of the Dave Ramsey books, but, for my family, his suggestions just
didn't fit our family. In theory, I know it makes sense to live bare bones until everything is paid off, but, in reality, with a child, I would find that next to impossible to do. We are following some of Dave's principlas on a modified scale.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Clark Howard is great!

I know a lot of peole have been helped by Dave Ramsey, which is a good thing, but there is plenty of free sound financial advice without paying for Dave Ramsey. I dont blame him for making a living, but it does make me sad to see how much he charges for his things (like Financial Peace University) when the people I know who have taken FPU are really living paycheck to paycheck. I guess it is a worthwhile investment to those that he helps get back on track, but I really prefer Clark Howard's style.

 

[FanofWalt&Mouse]

Very interesting. Never heard of Clark Howard. I may now check him out. I've always enjoyed listening to Dave Ramsey. I've read his books, and my church offers FPU. I also used the student version of financial peace while homeschooling my daughter. It has served our family well. I have plenty of room in my life for another guru on money & budgeting!!

 

[Purseval]

Very interesting. Never heard of Clark Howard. I may now check him out.

A basic biography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Howard

 

[ceecee]

I like Clark Howard better too. Dave Ramsey is very much about advertising himself. I have used some of Clark Howard's tips...about drying razors and it actually works...I get double the time out of my razors.

 

[Soben]

I've never really heard of CH, can anyone give me the nutshell version?

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW, it's simple enough to get DR's info for free. llnoe.com, the public parts of his website (I got a ton of info just toodling around that site in the beginning), and checking out his books from the library. I have absolutely no problem with DR running a business, it's the American way. Sounds like CH got incredibly lucky in his early days, and that's great for him, but not really something that happens to everyone. Whereas working your rear off, making something from nothing, developing a product that people want and will pay for it...that's something that many people can do. So...advice aside, I'm cool with DR running a business.

Even though I haven't contributed a thing to it.

 

[Sagginit]

ive been poking around this board for a year or so and never heard of clark howard. DR advice is sound, but just does not seem to work for me. thanks for the tip, i will have to check him out!

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

I live in Atlanta and am 41. I have listened to Clark Howard since I was 20. Actually alot of young people call in. His motto is "Save More, Spend LEss, and avoid getting ripped off". He is incredibley knowledgeable. uplifting, and caring. No matter what mess you have gotten into he will never make you feel bad about it but will help you come up with a solution if there is one. It is not just budget advice but all things financial. He wants to protect the public from scams and help you be financially responsible. He is also the first to admit he is wrong if that is the case. Part of the website and show is called "Clark stinks" where people air out where they disagree with him. He puts the complaints on the air and admits if he was wrong or forgot to consider an angle to a problem. He is very well loved in atlanta and is syndicated and on CNN. He has had many hour specials on TV and always speaks for free. If he ever ran for mayor of Atlanta I think he would win without any effort he is such a smart, successful, and funny personality. He is adored by many. He also does a huge Christmas campaign for foster kids in Georgia where he travels around and does a show campaign to make sure every foster child in Georgia has what is on their Santa list for the year( and keep in mind that he is actually jewish). He is also very involved in the AFLAC childrens cancer center fundraising as well as habitat for humanity. If you think Clark Howard you think of all these things. It would be hard to think of a more decent guy. My kids have been listening every day since birth. AFter you listen to his show you feel good about things, never down on yourself. Encouraged to do better.

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

Also Clark Howard has gotten where he did to day from being extremely thrifty, working his way through school( I believe he worked at somewhere like IBM during the day and got some work assistance for college.) Started his own business, worked, hard, invested in rentals etc. Listen to him for a day and you will see how his viewpoint toward customer service etc. would lead to him being extremely successful. Don't believe any of it was luck. He still takes great pride in being frugal to an extreme. He is huge priceline, costco fan. He won;t shop in a store that does not have concrete floors. He makes frugal seem cool in a geeky kind of way. No name brands etc. which I completely am on board with. He would not make fun of you if you did by name brands but he completely would not get why? He has some funny antedotes and stories about where his wife has had to draw the line on their frugalness.