03.09.26 SAVE MORE On Groceries / NEW Airline Credit Card Advice - The Clark Howard Podcast Recap

Podcast: The Clark Howard Podcast

Published: 2026-03-09

Duration: 35 min

Summary

In this episode, Clark Howard dives into strategies for saving on groceries and updates listeners on travel credit card recommendations. He shares empirical data on grocery prices across various retailers, highlighting where the best savings can be found.

What Happened

Clark Howard opens the episode by emphasizing the importance of making informed financial decisions, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping. He shares findings from Consumer Reports about grocery prices, revealing that Walmart is the largest grocery retailer in the U.S. and typically offers lower prices. However, he highlights that BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco provide even better savings, selling groceries at 21% cheaper than Walmart. Clark also mentions other retailers like Aldi and Lidl, which are around 8% cheaper, and Winco Foods, known for its employee ownership and competitive pricing.

He contrasts these savings with more expensive options such as Whole Foods, which is about 40% pricier than Walmart. Clark humorously refers to it as

Key Insights

• Walmart is the baseline for grocery pricing in the U.S.
• BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco offer the best savings at 21% lower than Walmart.
• Whole Foods is significantly more expensive at 40% more than Walmart.
• Aldi and Lidl provide moderate savings at about 8% lower than Walmart.

Key Questions Answered

How do grocery prices compare at Walmart versus Aldi and Lidl?

Clark discusses that according to Consumer Reports, Aldi and Lidl offer groceries at about 8% cheaper than Walmart. This is a slight deviation from previous data that suggested they could save shoppers around 20%. He notes that most of the items sold at Aldi and Lidl are private labels, making it challenging to compare prices directly with brand-name products.

What are the best grocery stores for saving money?

Clark highlights that BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco are the best options for savings, providing groceries at 21% lower prices than Walmart. Additionally, Winco Foods and H-E-B are also mentioned as alternatives that can be competitive with Walmart's pricing.

Is Whole Foods worth the higher price?

Clark humorously refers to Whole Foods as 'Whole Paycheck,' noting that it is 40% more expensive than Walmart. He acknowledges that shoppers at Whole Foods often have a higher income and may not be as price sensitive, but he suggests that for everyday shoppers, it is not the best option for saving money.

What should I do about the American Community Survey?

Clark advises listeners that while it's technically mandatory to complete the American Community Survey, the federal government has not pursued criminal charges for non-compliance in many years. He suggests answering only the basic questions and skipping any that feel invasive, noting that it's acceptable to provide rough estimates if one prefers.

How can I navigate family cell phone plans?

In response to a listener's question about being 'stuck' in a Verizon family plan, Clark acknowledges that while switching to a cheaper carrier could save money, the potential family strife might outweigh those savings. He suggests considering the emotional aspect of family plans and weighing the savings against familial harmony.