By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed August 4, 2011
Clark Howard, Atlanta's self-proclaimed cheapskate seen on HLN and heard on AM750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB, this week released "Clark Howard's Living Large in Lean Times," (Avery Trade, $18).
His ninth book, which he noted is on incredibly cheap paper, provides more than 250 tips to save money and avoid getting into financial trouble in the future. In the coming weeks, he'll do book signings across the country, including stops at the Cumberland Costco at 11 a.m. Saturday and the “Disco†Kroger in Buckhead three hours later.
And in an act unusual for any author except perhaps Howard, he encourages people who are too frugal to buy the book at retail to wait until someone puts it up for sale used.
On Monday, he taped his radio show at Ray's Killer Creek restaurant in Alpharetta. HLN tagged along to shoot segments for his weekend show as well. There, dozens of fans asked him questions live, from how to rent out a home while on vacation (he suggested two websites) to whether it's worthwhile to buy home repair insurance (no!). Sure, he's parceled the same bits of advice hundreds of times before over 24 years on the radio, but Howard always manages to sound warm, friendly and authoritative.
Clark, heard on more than 200 stations across the country, even brought his family on air, where they tried to guess how much what he was wearing cost him. Guesses ranged from $5 to $30. Since he was on TV, he said he wore a (relatively) pricey outfit, which included $19 sneakers, $12 khakis, a $10 golf shirt and $1.50 socks. His 22-year-old daughter Rebecca, who guessed $30, came closest. She got a kiss on the cheek for her efforts.
In an interview, Howard noted that years ago during better times, many people saw his tightwad ways as a curiosity but in the current economy, they are taking his advice far more seriously.
Lauren Davidson, AJC's Bargain Hunter, did a more extensive interview with him over on her blog here.
Here's the video interview I did with him while he was on break. His wife, who is an actress and knows a thing or two about the Flip camera, is the videographer:
More photos from the event:
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