Full Show: Countries That Will Pay You To Move & Simple Trick To Pay Down Credit Card Debt Quicker

Are you dreaming of a new life overseas but worried about the price tag? From cash grants and tax breaks to startup funding, countries like Chile, Ireland, Italy, and Japan are actually offering incentives to get you to relocate. Whether you are a remote worker or someone looking for a fresh start, Clark explores the reality of these relocation programs and the vital differences between being a traveler and a permanent resident. Also, Clark tackles the "debt trap" by sharing a simple, often overlooked strategy to lower your credit card interest rates. Data shows that simply calling your card issuer and asking for a better rate works up to 75% of the time, yet many consumers never try. We discuss how to leverage this tactic, the role of balance transfers, and — most importantly — how to change your financial habits to ensure that once your debt is down, it stays down for good.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the February 18, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: https://clark.com/ask

Mentioned today:
https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/countries-that-will-pay-you-to-move/
https://clark.com/debt/negotiate-a-lower-interest-rate/

00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Countries That Will Pay You To Move
05:52 - Ask Clark - If airlines force you to check a carry-on at the gate and then lose your bag, do you have extra rights or compensation compared to voluntary checked bags? Is forced gate-checking now common? (Daniel, GA)
10:21 - Ask Clark - Can HSA funds be withdrawn tax-free after age 62 for non-medical expenses, or do they still need to be used for medical costs to avoid taxes? (Jeff, GA)
11:07 - Ask Clark - If I can firmly say no, is there any real risk in attending “free dinner” or “free vacation” sales presentations? (David, OH)
15:12 - Negotiate a Lower Credit Card Interest Rate
20:09 - Ask Clark - What should people do to protect elderly family members from scam follow-up emails and remote-access fraud after a credit card charge is disputed? (CJ, AK)
22:04 - Ask Clark - Is it common for wireless carriers to leave customers on outdated, more expensive legacy plans, and should people regularly review their plans even if they don’t plan to switch carriers? (Charles, TX)
23:38 - Ask Clark - What should Clark name his next dog to continue the Costco-themed naming tradition: Buck-Fifty All-Beef? (Aaron, MN)
23:38 - Ask Clark - Should Clark name his next dog Savannah Banana as a tribute to the fan-first baseball team and its customer-first culture? (Jan, GA)


Clark.com: Advice You Can Trust:
SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/Clark

Listen To The Clark Howard Podcast: https://clark.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-clark-howard-podcast/id207724573
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lrwhe2fO5GjZQKntfJZf6
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/8-the-clark-howard-podcast-28200731/

Follow Us for More Money Tips:
Website: https://clark.com/
Podcast: https://clark.com/podcasts/
Newsletter: https://clark.com/newsletters/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclarkdotcom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarkhoward/

Need Consumer Advice?
The Consumer Action Center is a free resource for advice on money and consumer issues. Call 636-49C-LARK (636-492-5275) and a member of Team Clark will assist you as soon as possible. The Consumer Action Center is available Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

If you found this video valuable, give it a like.
If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.
Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later.

Our Promise to You:
At Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com, we do not get paid for endorsements or reviews of any product or service, nor do we allow advertisers to place paid content on our sites. More information: https://clark.com/ad-disclosure/