06.06.25 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Best Sunscreens

Summary

The Clark Howard Podcast: Episode Summary (June 6, 2025)

Title: Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Best Sunscreens
Host: Clark Howard
Release Date: June 6, 2025

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1. Introduction to "Clark Stinks" Segment

In this episode, Clark Howard dives into his "Clark Stinks" segment, where he addresses criticisms from listeners and engages in candid discussions about various consumer topics. Setting the stage for an open dialogue, Clark emphasizes his commitment to providing valuable financial advice while remaining receptive to feedback.

Notable Quote:

Clark Howard [02:05]: "It's great to have you here on the Clark Howard Show... today it's time for you to remember to protect your skin when you're out and about from the sun."

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2. Top Tier vs. Regular Gasoline

Clark tackles the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of top tier gasoline. Listener Don McDonald shares his experience, highlighting that despite predominantly using non-top tier gas, his vehicles have remained reliable without issues related to fuel or internal combustion.

Notable Quotes:

Don McDonald [02:47]: "There's no difference in the quality of top tier and regular gasoline... Neither vehicle has ever needed a repair on anything regarding gas."

Clark Howard [03:54]: "When gas is shared among all different distributors... some believe that top tier gasoline is in fact safer, potentially better for your car than non top tier gas."

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3. Funeral Insurance Policies

Listener Rory raises concerns about funeral insurance sold by funeral homes, explaining that policies like irrevocable insurance annuities offer portability and validity even if the funeral home is unavailable. Clark acknowledges the benefits but warns about the high fees associated with such products.

Notable Quotes:

Rory [05:07]: "We bought a funeral irrevocable insurance annuity sold by the funeral home... it follows you anywhere and is as valid as the original."

Clark Howard [05:27]: "These policies tend to have very high fees built into them... as a general consumer purchase, it's not something that I advise because of the high costs."

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4. Challenges in the Healthcare Industry

Don McDonald criticizes Clark's views on the healthcare industry's reliance on phone-based triage systems. He argues that such systems are essential for managing patient urgency and maintaining operational efficiency despite the industry's financial pressures.

Notable Quotes:

Don McDonald [06:21]: "Clark has missed addressing how difficult it is to run a healthcare practice... a phone conversation with a patient is far more useful in vetting the severity and urgency of a problem."

Clark Howard [07:34]: "People in medical practice right now are in a squeeze play like you can't imagine... There's just not enough staff for the demands."

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5. Student Loans vs. Family Member Loans

Bill, another listener, discusses the complexities of lending money to family members for education. He advises establishing clear repayment terms and avoiding treating the loan as a gift to prevent misunderstandings and financial strain.

Notable Quotes:

Bill [09:16]: "Don't have the funds to include their payment as well. Find your side hustle... it's wrong to assume that it's a gift or no timeline expected."

Clark Howard [10:04]: "We have covered so many family drama situations... your point from the side of the family member lending money, you are completely correct."

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6. Inflation and Consumer Goods: The Case of Sugar

Laura points out that rising sugar prices have been countered by reducing the size of sugar packages, indicating a silent impact of inflation on everyday purchases. Clark acknowledges this oversight and commits to better monitoring such changes.

Notable Quotes:

Don McDonald [11:24]: "Clark used an example of sugar prices rising but then returned to normal... the normal price was now for a four pound bag instead of the traditional five."

Clark Howard [11:40]: "I was not aware of that and I will look next time I'm in the supermarket."

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7. Discounted Blood Work Solutions

Kelsey shares her positive experience with Life Extension’s discounted blood work services, recommending LabCorp partnerships for affordable tests not typically covered by insurance, such as vitamin D deficiency screenings.

Notable Quotes:

Don McDonald [12:04]: "Lifeextension.com offers discounted blood work through LabCorp... the vitamin D test was less than a quarter of the price."

Clark Howard [13:03]: "Someone brings something to the table that I didn't think of, that I wasn't aware of... thank you for taking the time to do the post."

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8. Best Sunscreens for Health and Budget

As summer approaches, Clark emphasizes the importance of using effective sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. He reviews Consumer Reports' top-rated sunscreens, highlighting affordable and high-performing options.

Top Sunscreens Reviewed:

1. Coppertone Water Babies Lotion - $8: Perfect score of 100.
2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Lotion - $24: Score of 90.
3. Everyday Humans Oh My Bod - $15: Score of 83.

For sprays, Clark notes that only specific products meet high standards:

1. Trader Joe's Spray SPF 50 - 74
2. Userin Advanced Hydration Spray - 16 bucks, score of 88
3. Black Girl Sunscreen Kids - $12, score of 77

Notable Quotes:

Clark Howard [16:10]: "Coppertone Water Babies Lotion gets a perfect 100... it's not expensive, just eight bucks."

Clark Howard [20:00]: "Buy something that the testers have been able to find in labs and in real experience really do work."

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9. Changing Tipping Etiquette for Carryout Orders

Trina from Georgia inquires about the norms of tipping for carryout orders. Clark observes a decline in tipping practices post-COVID, noting that while tipping surged during the pandemic to support essential workers, it has since reverted to lower levels.

Notable Quotes:

Clark Howard [21:42]: "The percents people are tipping are way down... roughly four out of five people are not tipping anymore on the carry out orders."

Don McDonald [22:04]: "Is it? Doesn't seem like it to me."

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10. Purchasing Model 3 Tires on a Budget

K, a listener from Missouri, seeks advice on buying affordable tires for a Tesla Model 3. Clark recommends warehouse clubs like Costco for their competitive pricing and comprehensive packages. Additionally, he suggests Tire Rack for no-frills options, emphasizing the importance of understanding total costs at installation centers.

Notable Quotes:

Clark Howard [23:58]: "Warehouse Clubs are far and away, based on our research, the best place to buy tires... Costco is better than Sam's or BJ's."

Don McDonald [25:00]: "Tire Rack is a no frills seller of tires... make sure you have the actual total cost for everything involved."

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11. Navigating Retirement Communities: Non-profit vs. For-profit

Kerry from Ohio asks about choosing between non-profit and for-profit retirement communities. Clark advocates for faith-based non-profit options backed by charitable organizations but warns to ensure that operations aren't contracted out to for-profit entities. He underscores the necessity of verifying the financial stability of continuing care retirement communities to protect life savings.

Notable Quotes:

Clark Howard [26:10]: "Find out if it's being operated by the nonprofit rather than a for-profit enterprise that may cut corners."

Clark Howard [26:32]: "States have failed their citizens and not protected this buy-in money... it's your money, you worked hard to save."

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12. Closing Remarks

Clark wraps up the episode by reiterating his mission to empower listeners with knowledge to save more, spend less, and avoid being ripped off. He encourages continuous learning and engagement with his resources to achieve financial freedom.

Notable Quote:

Clark Howard [31:11]: "Be empowered with knowledge you learned through the week... so that you can save more, spend less, and avoid getting ripped off all weekend long."

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Conclusion

This episode of The Clark Howard Podcast offers a blend of listener interactions, expert advice, and practical tips across a spectrum of topics—from gasoline choices and funeral insurance to healthcare challenges and effective sunscreen selection. Clark's transparent approach in addressing criticisms fosters a trustworthy environment, ensuring that listeners are well-equipped to make informed financial and personal decisions.

Transcript

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[Clark Howard]

It'S great to have you here on the Clark Howard Show. You know, our mission is to serve you with advice and information that empowers you so you make better financial decisions in your life. And it's Friday and that means it's time for me to go to school. The school of Clark stinks and I can't wait to hear what I got wrong this time. Also, today it's time for you to remember to protect your skin when you're out and about from the sun. I have family members who have had skin cancers. Have them. Whatever. This is not something to mess with. And I'm going to tell you this year you can actually get skin protection ultra cheap. That's really effective. How's that for a tease?

[Don McDonald]

Sounds fantastic.

[Clark Howard]

But without further ado, it is time to hear how stinking I am. I should have never encouraged you to speak. You must think I'm pretty stupid. You should be ashamed of yourself. Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you're right, pal. So those of you watch the YouTube show get to see Krista do her Clark sinks dance.

[Don McDonald]

I was just swaying there. If I were dancing, you would know it.

[Clark Howard]

Oh, but sorry, you're not gonna see me even sway because of people who should not even attempt to dance. Nobody more than this man right here.

[Don McDonald]

Oh man. All right, here we go. Clark, there are two about this one Clark there's no difference in the quality of top tier and regular gasoline. What designates top tier gasoline is the detergent additive that is added to it that makes it different from non top tier gasoline. All the gasoline is made in the same refinery. The only difference in them is the additives which usually is added when it is delivered to the individual station. The detergent is to keep the fuel injection injectors and intake valves from building up deposits. Jim and I'm not going to try and compete with the creative people describing how you stink, but you and your top tier gas. I currently drive a 2018 GMC pickup with 100,155,000 miles and my wife drives a 2012 Buick with 117,000 miles. I'd say that 85% of the gas that has been run through both vehicles was not top tier gas. I buy most of our gas from Walmart using Walmart plus and my Sam's MasterCard. I get 10 cents off a gallon and another 5% as well. Neither vehicle has ever needed a repair on anything regarding gas or the internal combustion portion.

[Clark Howard]

Don't thank you both for this. We get anytime top tier gas ever comes up, we get a lot of posts on Clark stinks about it. So first of all, let's go back to Jim's comment. It is true that when gas is shared among all different distributors and then when the truck gets to a particular station or wherever in the process from leaving the fuel farm, they add the additives for that particular brand of gasoline. If I'm not an engineer, there are those who believe that top tier gasoline is in fact safer, potentially better for your car than non top tier gas. I'm just going to leave it at that. And Don, what I'm especially excited about is you're driving a vehicle with 155,000 miles on it, your wife a vehicle with 117,000 miles on it. You're keeping vehicles on the road, having fully paid them off. You own them free and clear, no monthly payment. And that is great news.

[Don McDonald]

On your website you advise to be cautious of buying funeral insurance because the funeral home may not be there when you need them. We bought a funeral irrevocable insurance annuity sold by the funeral home. This policy follows you anywhere and if you should lose the policy, the funeral home has a copy that is as valid as the original.

[Clark Howard]

Rory Rory, thank you. And let me say something about buying one of these insurance products. There are some funeral chains and funeral homes that are licensed now to sell insurance products or have a cooperative arrangement where they refer people to a licensed insurance salesperson. These policies tend to have very high fees built into them. They are generally for smaller amounts, so the commissions and the ongoing expenses as part of the policies tend to be higher. I am not a big fan of those. Rory. It's obviously going to work out for you, not having to worry about the cost of final arrangements, but as a general consumer purchase, it's not something that I advise because of the high costs built into them.

[Don McDonald]

Boy, did you upset the healthcare industry. I had so many posts about this. I'm going to read two, starting with this one. Hopefully Clark has enough years left in his life to go to medical or other health care school so he can see just how difficult it is to run a healthcare practice. Ranting about fax machines is not useful. And a phone conversation with a patient is far more useful in vetting the severity and urgency of a problem than online scheduling or an app. This isn't McDonald's, John.

[Clark Howard]

Thank you, John.

[Don McDonald]

And you asked why docs have you call for appointments. There is triage over the phone routine. We'll see you in weeks. Urgent. That's our definition, not yours. Sometimes you don't even know your symptoms are urgent. We fit you in sooner. Also, our margins are razor thin. Who's going to pay for that scheduling app? What happens to the patient who falls through the cracks and needs a phone call anyway? We just pointed up 25 to $50,000 with yearly maintenance fees for an electronic medical record. That fax machine is paid for.

[Clark Howard]

Jennifer, thank you both for this.

[Don McDonald]

Thank you, sir. May I have another?

[Clark Howard]

No, no. Read as many as you want.

[Don McDonald]

You can't. There's too many.

[Clark Howard]

People in medical practice right now are in a squeeze play like you can't imagine. And I know this is hard for patients to understand, but particularly doctors and primary care are getting squeezed and the profit of running a practice is becoming invisible. The income, earnings, primary care doctors not keeping up with inflation after all those years of training and learning, expertise and all the rest. And I'm talking about adding something onto it Now. Let's go to the thing from the first post about doing proper triage through phone calls. As a practical matter, maybe not in your practice, but so often, Jennifer, what happens is when someone does call in, they have to leave a voicemail and often that voicemail isn't even returned the same day because of how overwhelmed practices are with people calling. The system has essentially broken down and I don't have automatic answers for it. And I understand exactly what you're trying to do, which is triage, to see if somebody needs to be seen instantly. That day, the next day, next week are not urgent at all. The problem is there's just not enough staff for the demands to be able to respond in the normal triage kind of way. You're saying? At least that's my experience.

[Don McDonald]

Okay, a few about this one as well. Clark, regarding the recent college graduate who asked about student loans versus investing, you. You missed a great opportunity by not addressing the family member loan. If I lent a loved one 20k for their education and they were putting me last on their fiscal responsibility list, I'd be perturbed. Better suggestion is to review with them your desire to pay off high interest and then company match 401k, then make payments to them, share the amount and timeline for their payback and make sure you stick with it. Don't have the funds to include their payment as well. And time to find your side hustle, Uber lyft, wait tables, etc. It's wrong to assume that it's a gift or no timeline expected. Worst case, the lender will feel appreciated that you want to consider their needs before your own. Love your show, Bill.

[Clark Howard]

Bill. Thank you. Okay, so over the years we have had so many family drama situations that we've covered from people who lent money to a family member or friend or people who are the borrower from a family member or friend. And it gets really messy and there's no way around it. And your point from the side of the family member lending money, you are completely correct in everything you said. That was an oversight on my part that I didn't address the family member loan at all.

[Don McDonald]

A lot of times too, you know, somebody's been in a relationship, we'll get that one. Like, oh, we do that. Boyfriend.

[Clark Howard]

Oh, I knew you were gonna bring that up.

[Don McDonald]

Is it a car loan or something for them? Right.

[Clark Howard]

Okay. So some of the nastiest situations we've ever dealt with is where somebody signs for a vehicle as the owner on the loan or as a co signer on the loan, which is the worst possible situation. And they have what's now an ex girlfriend or boyfriend driving around in the vehicle not making payments and they're responsible for it. Those stories are really ugly.

[Don McDonald]

Clark used an example of sugar prices once rising but then returned to normal. What he didn't mention was that the normal price was now for a four pound bag of sugar instead of the traditional five pound bag. Laura.

[Clark Howard]

Laura. I'm going to check on that.

[Don McDonald]

That's Inflation, right?

[Clark Howard]

Yeah, inflation. Laura. I was not aware of that and I will look next time I'm in the supermarket. I don't go normally to traditional supermarkets. I'm usually at warehouse clubs or discounters. You ever seen the size of the sugar you have to buy in a warehouse club? Yeah, I wonder how many pounds those are.

[Don McDonald]

First, the non stinky part about Clark. I've been listening to his radio show since I was a kid and my parents constantly had the local radio station on in their kitchen. Also, when I recently went through a bout of depression, not the scary kind, but no fun nonetheless, his podcast was about the only thing I could stand to listen to. His pure positivity and enthusiasm felt comforting and familiar and I'm excited to finally have a Clark Stinks. Recently on the show, someone asked about options for discounted blood work and Clark didn't have any very helpful suggestions. One avenue that folks should explore is lifeextension.com it's a company that sells supplements, but they also offer discounted blood work through a large lab chain, LabCorp. I can attest that the vitamin D test was less than a quarter of the price I paid by going directly to a lab and was recommended to me by the neurologist who diagnosed my symptoms as a vitamin D deficiency because most insurances won't cover that test.

[Clark Howard]

Kelsey Kelsey, thank you. First, I'm really, really thrilled that you're doing better. Second, this is one of the reasons we do Clark stinks. Really, the principal reason. Someone brings something to the table that I didn't think of, that I didn't know, that I wasn't aware of. And then you become a member of Team Clark by helping your fellow listener viewer. So thank you very, very much for taking the time to do the post. But most important, I'm so glad for you that you were doing better. Coming up ahead, we're going to talk about something that I talk about every single spring going into summer because I've seen the consequences of people not using sunscreen with the health problems that result from skin cancers. And I want to tell you it doesn't have to be expensive for you to get effective protection. And I'm going to share that with you straight ahead.

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[Clark Howard]

All right, so summer means a lot of sun, a lot of out and about. And you know what you need to be using sunscreen. And this is something that is so important to your health because not using it means that you could become very familiar with the dermatologist. You don't want that have your checkups. You don't want any problems and also I don't want you to waste money. Consumer Reports, once a year does, appropriately enough for summer, does a sunscreen test. And this summer again, there was a sunscreen that got a perfect 100. A perfect score. And it's not even expensive. I mean 100, that was something beyond my reach in school. This Sunscreen is about 8 bucks. It's the Coppertone Water Babies Lotion. It's in a pink container, not just for kids, it works for adults and it's not a spray. Sprays do not give the protection you're going to get from a lotion. So just put up with it, spread that lotion on you. Save your money, save your health. Coppertone Water Babies Lotion. So again, it's eight bucks gets a hundred. The next highest gets a ninety. I'll mess up this name. La Roche Posay Anthelios Kids Lotion. This one is three times the price of the copper tone that gets at a hundred. I know when you're looking at sunscreen in a discount store or warehouse club, you think the more exotic sounding the name of it, it's got to be better, right? No, I mean Coppertone's been around forever. It's absolutely best. Now third place with an 83. Again, a lotion. Everyday humans. Oh my bod. 15 bucks. So that's when play, Show, Coppertone, Larouche, Posay and Everyday Humans. Oh my God. Now if you do insist on buying a spray, only one spray gets a top, top, top rating. And I want to tell you it's not this year. Trader Joe's, which in recent years trader Joe's spray SPF 50 actually a couple years ago got a perfect hundred score. Now it's still recommended, but it got a 74. So if you don't want to listen to me about using a lotion, you want one that's reasonable in price, you got three choices. In first place, Trader Joe's. Third place, first place, Userin Advanced Hydration Spray. 16 bucks gets a score of 88. Really good for a spray. Second place, Black Girl Sunscreen Kids. 12 bucks gets a 77. And then in third place, formally in first, Trader Joe's Spray SPF 50. Now you may think, well I mean this other one, I'm buying this one because it's on sale or whatever. Let me tell you, it is shocking how low a lot of brand name sunscreens rate. I mean really, really, really low. I hit you with the ones that are recommended. Lotion the best. If you want to buy a spray, buy one that is effective. Why play Games with yourself, Pretend you're protecting yourself and buy something and put it on just because it's what you bought. Buy something that the testers have been able to find in labs and in real experience really do work. And so you better know that we have in our household the Coppertone water babies lotion just like we had last year. Why? Because you can always aspire to be a perfect hundred and this way I can be buying that lotion.

[Don McDonald]

All right, Trina, Georgia says when ordering a to go order and I've you pick up the order, is it customary to leave a tip and if so, how much and how does the tip get distributed?

[Clark Howard]

So Trina, I don't think I shared that. Tipping is way down.

[Don McDonald]

Is it? Doesn't seem like it to me.

[Clark Howard]

Yeah, the percents people are tipping are way down. Oh, during COVID a lot of places that people historically did not tip were accepting tips and the percent people were tipping for essential workers. They were working in restaurants, working in stores, whatever. The tipping percent went way, way, way up. And there's like been a reversion to mean a return to more normal kind of levels of tipping. There's a place I go to for a bagel regularly. So being the nosy person I am, I watch because they have a thing for carry out bagels and when you pay it asks if you want to leave a tip. And what I've noticed is that roughly four out of five people are not tipping anymore on the carry out orders when they're buying bagels. Where before it was kind of universal. So this is something that everybody's trying to find what works for them. And you talk about the dreaded iPad, right? The flip.

[Don McDonald]

They flip the iPad at you and.

[Clark Howard]

You always feel like they're prying eyes watching what you put in as a tip. So this is really personal choice. When I go somewhere, I do tip. Whether it's carry out or not. It's just what I do. And everybody's got to do what you feel best about, what feels right to.

[Don McDonald]

You in terms of how it's distributed? I think it depends on the individual restaurant completely or place how they do it.

[Clark Howard]

If I become a regular place, I ask okay, do you actually see any of the tip? And they'll kind of look at you and say well maybe or whatever. You know, when the money's not going to the employees, if you're a regular and you just kind of a little nosy like I am watching what people punch in. Okay, another is that bad that I watch like that I'VE just been curious.

[Don McDonald]

It's fine, you're curious. Okay. K in Missouri says where can I purchase Model 3 tires for a good deal?

[Clark Howard]

So K we've [e-mail] we've done extensive research on this. The first answer you're going to hear from me won't surprise you at all because of my built in bias. And it is a clear bias that the warehouse clubs are the best place to go to Costco, Sam's or the regional warehouse club, BJ's Wholesale. Their markups are so much lower on things sold in the store than they are other places. But only Costco has a 14 maximum markup on branded items and all the tires they sell are branded. I don't think they sell any Kirkland Signature tires. So the Warehouse Clubs are far and away, based on our research, the best place to buy tires. Costco is actually better than Sam's or BJ's wholesale though because they include a long list of things in the purchase of the tires and the per the tire price includes all those things. There's no extra junk fee. If you go to a traditional tire store, you've got fee on top of fee on top of fee. In addition, Tire rack a really good source if you're looking for the lowest cost tires for a Model 3 or really any car. Tire Rack is a no frills seller of tires. They deliver them to where you want them delivered usually to a tire center that you've chosen. They also own a big tire center that's a retail and you just want to make sure with tire rack that you have what the actual total cost is for everything involved at where the tires are installed for you.

[Don McDonald]

And this came in from Kerry in Ohio. My husband and I are in our mid-70s. We're retired educators. We've been generous to our kids and grandkids education expenses and now we're in good health. But we're beginning to look at options for the next step in our journey. Retirement Communities we would like your take on not for profit versus for profit options.

[Clark Howard]

Okay. I'm so glad that you posed this question, Carrie. I'm a big believer in the faith based retirement communities. The reason is that you have the charitable organization standing behind the facility. But you got to make sure of something with this and that is some of the nonprofit retirement centers have now been contracted out to for profit operators. You want to find out is it actually being operated by the nonprofit rather than being a non profit that is simply a front for if you will a for profit enterprise that may cut corners and all the rest on the care facility or retirement community. Continuing care retirement communities are a big deal. That's where you move to a campus and they have typically all four levels of care, from what I call semi independent living to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing. These facilities you generally have to buy into with a big upfront amount of money that varies widely from facility to facility. Unfortunately, most states in the country have not put in place strict requirements to protect the money that you use to buy in a facility will go bust and your money goes bust with it. Sadly, this is happening a lot around the country. So if you're investigating facilities in Ohio or in other states, let's take Ohio. If you stay in Ohio, you want to know from the state department in Ohio that handles it what is required? Is there a bond, an active bond that is required to be in place that covers making sure you get your money back in the event the operator of that continuing care retirement community fails to operate, you know, goes insolvent? This is really important because many times you're taking a big chunk of your life savings and putting it in to this. And again and again, states have failed their citizens and not protected this buy in money. That can be more than a million dollars to buy into a community, but most often half a million to 750,000. And I don't know any of us that have a spare half a million that like how. Well, I'll talk to accounting. No, it's your money. You worked hard through your lifetime to save and you can't replace. So this is really important when you're going examining any continuing care retirement community that has a buy in. Depending on the state laws, they may have to file with public record their financial condition, what their financials are. This is one of those times you actually want to get those records. And if you need to take them to somebody who's really good at numbers, an accountant or a family member who doesn't nod off reading documents like that and can tell you there's a problem here. This is solid financially, at least according to what they're filing with the state. And if you find out, as an example, Ohio does a really bad job, but adjoining states that you might consider living in do a good job of protecting the money that you would use to buy in. You should look at facilities in those neighboring states. Just a thought for you. And you can hire a fee only person who operates as a fiduciary to help you find facilities. Know that this business has a lot of people who say this is no cost to you, but they're getting paid commissions and kickbacks by facilities to steer you to them if you're not actually paying them for their expertise. Gosh, that's a lot. Just know positively that what we're about is you having an absolutely great weekend in front of you.

[Don McDonald]

Yes.

[Clark Howard]

Right. That's what I want you to have. And all weekend long, be empowered with knowledge you learned through the week on our podcast or on clark.com or clarkdeals.com so that you can save more, spend less, and avoid getting ripped off all weekend long. And we'll see you Monday on the podcast.