ATLANTA \u2014 Consumer Advisor Clark Howard<\/b> shares his top rules for protecting your money and avoiding common financial pitfalls. <\/p>\n
Clark is well known for his financial knowledge and telling viewers what they can do to better their future self, but this advice is about what you should never do. <\/p>\n
[DOWNLOAD: <\/b>Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n These are Clark\u2019s \u2018Never, Not Ever\u2019 rules. <\/p>\n Never put your prescription drugs or laptop in your checked luggage <\/b><\/p>\n If your bag is delayed or worse the airline loses it, trying to get that prescription replaced is a headache medicine won\u2019t fix. <\/p>\n Never negotiate the price of your car at the dealership. <\/b><\/p>\n \u201cNever negotiate your deal at the dealer because they have home field advantage and therefore they\u2019re going to win almost every time,\u201d Howard advised, highlighting the importance of negotiating car deals from home, \u201cSo every dealer has to compete against each other and then I get the offer I want in writing, no games.\u201d <\/p>\n MORE CLARK HOWARD:<\/b><\/p>\n Never trade in a vehicle you owe money on. <\/b><\/p>\n \u201cTrusting the dealer will pay off your old loan or adding the remaining balance to your new loan could be a disaster for your wallet,\u201d Howard said. <\/p>\n Never pay an advanced deposit with cash or a debit card. <\/b><\/p>\n Howard advises against paying advance deposits with cash or a debit card for services like renting an apartment, buying a wedding dress, hiring a contractor, or booking travel. <\/p>\n \u201cIf that business goes bust, so does your money. Use a credit card. You are more likely to get those charges reversed and get back your cash.\u201d Howard says using a credit card offers better protection if the business fails. <\/p>\n For a complete list of Clark\u2019s \u2018Never, Not Ever\u2019 rules, visit Clark.com<\/a> <\/p>\n