Full Show: Holiday Tipping Guide and Tax Credit Warning

It's the holiday season and you may be wondering how much to tip the people who provide services in our lives. Clark has some guidance to help. Also, in a few weeks, new tax credits are coming for energy-efficient purchases. Clark predicts the new heat pump tax credit may be particularly tricky with the math of the tax credit and the cost of equipment.
Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the December 15, 2022, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

00:00 - Intro
01:24 - Holiday Tipping Guide
06:42 - Ask Clark - Sell Old Life Insurance - Viatical
09:07 - Ask Clark - Warehouse Clubs and Auto-Renewal
11:41 - Ask Clark - Different Streaming Services
13:25 - Tax Credit Warning
19:25 - Ask Clark - Solar Panel Issues
22:39 - Ask Clark - Lease Farm Land for Solar Farm
24:39 - Ask Clark - Rent or Sell House Before Moving Abroad

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Our Promise to You:

[samtx]

Hit the nail on the head Clark & Co. dual use of land…! 👏

[autohelix]

As someone who works as a sanitation worker Christa gets a thumbs up. We definitely appreciate it and it makes the job suck a little bit less. I would consider my wife and I generous tippers. I find that when you are generous that generosity seems to always come back to you. I am 32 years old Clark, and I have been listening to you for over 20 years I appreciate what you do.

[noreenn]

That's a good idea Christa! I bet they appreciate a snack and water on a busy delivery day.

[barbaras]

My ex husband installed solar panels a few years ago and it’s generated enough power to heat the entire house for several years. The house is in a relatively shady area in No California. But…they were $70k, and it will take decades to recoup the cost.

[skrome]

My mailman makes a hell of a lot more than I do. Think I'll ask him for a tip this year.

[JasonTaylor-poxc]

My aunt and uncle lived in Russia for a few years in the early 2000s as part of a corporate assignment. Before they left, they bought property in Tennessee because of the tax advantages (no state income tax). I don't believe they rented it since they kept it as their official residence within the US. Anyway, not exactly the same situation but it might spark some ideas.

[garbo]

We usually have 3 or 4 different people delivering the mail every week so its been a few years since I tipped them. Always tip at least 20% at restaurants. Recently took my grandkids to a place that you make you own you yougart or ice cream creations. Left my bifocals in the car and was having trouble laying for it with my cash back credit card . Young lady only how to tell me to hit the ok key but first she asked if I wanted to leave a tip. Told her that I only tip when a service is provided. She didn't like that answer. Cost over $20 for 3 cups. My friend had two heat pumps in his new over insulated house that had natural gas. Told him not to run the heat pump. First year service company had to come out twice in the winter for a great pump not working but under free parts & labor warrsnty. Second winter theory had to cone out twice for problems with heat pumps. Cost him over $400. .The service tech agreed with me and told him in the long run it to would be cheaper in his case due to great insulation & very good low E triple pane windows to heat his house on natural gas. He did that and in next 5 years did not have any service calls.

[insidelectronics]

If you can install enough solar panels you wouldn't need to have a very large battery because they will be recharged when the sun comes up.

[xwtw]

Don't sell your life insurance. Unknown owners of the policy will have an "accident " happen to you. I remember Larry King sold his policy because he needed the money, and later it caused him a lot of worry (although many years later he died of natural causes -- or at least that's what we are led to believe).

[manilowmaniak]

Tipping? Really Clark? Showing appreciation for people is important but enough of this tipping everyone and anyone. It is bad enough that restaurant owners have some strange loophole that no other business has where they are not required to pay the minimum wage every other company must pay, but tipping has got so out of hand. I worked as a limo driver for 6 years and I refused tips and that caught all my passengers off guard. I got a good hourly pay. I did not need to be tipped for doing my job or being a kind human being to another human being. Since when do we need to be rewarded monetarily for being who we are supposed to be or doing our job? From delivery drivers to sanitation workers to the hairstylist and beyond, tipping is completely out of control. A simple Thank You is all that is needed. Everyone gets paid well now with states raising the minimum wage so high now. You can make $17 an hour at a fast food joint. Kindness to someone who serves you can be shown in so many other ways than by just giving them money or a gift bag.

[jbeav]

There will be no tips in Florida due to impending housing crash.

[xwtw]

Do these hosts film multiple shows on the same day? They seem to be wearing the same clothes all week, even the lady host.