The Clark Howard Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Save More On Gasoline And Printer Ink
Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Clark Howard

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clark Howard offers practical advice on how to reduce spending amid rising gasoline and printer ink prices. He discusses current trends affecting gas costs, brings questions from listeners about car purchases (including EVs), investigates the pricing structures of places like Costco, and calls out the massive markups in printer ink. The show follows Clark’s characteristic tone: straightforward, consumer-focused, and occasionally lighthearted.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Gas Prices—Why They’re High and How to Save

(00:35–05:57)

• Context: Gasoline prices have surged nationally due to global supply-demand volatility and issues such as Middle East conflicts affecting oil supply.
• Price Gaps: There’s a wider-than-usual spread in local prices—Clark observed as much as a $1.75 difference per gallon within a five-mile radius.
  • Quote: “Normally in most areas...there’ll be about a dollar a gallon difference ... I was looking around and ... it was about a buck 75.” (02:28, Clark Howard)
• Strategy: Shop around—don’t just go to your usual gas station. Use GasBuddy.com or pay attention to prices along your route and fill up when you see a deal, especially at half a tank.
  • Quote: “When you're at half a tank and you see, oh, that’s a good price ... go fill up.” (03:45, Clark Howard)
• EV Advice: Don’t buy an electric vehicle (EV) just because of a temporary spike in gas prices. Used EVs, however, can be good deals due to declining prices—but always check battery warranties.

2. Electric Vehicles (EVs) vs. Hybrids — Listener Mailbag

(05:59–08:00)

• Listener Question: Mark in South Carolina asks whether the supposed savings of an EV are outweighed by depreciation, insurance, repair costs, and charging challenges.
• Clark’s Take:
  • Charging reliability and speed have improved greatly, and home charging is generally much cheaper than fueling with gasoline.
  • Why drive an EV? “Because it’s fun.” Clark admits his choice wasn’t just financial: “For once, for me it wasn’t about the money.” (07:30, Clark Howard)
• Pure Savings: For the absolute cheapest new-car transportation, hybrids still win.
• Chinese Breakthrough: Clark noted that Chinese tech now allows a five-minute charge to 80%—he’s hopeful this tech will soon be available elsewhere.

3. Buying Used Cars—Getting the Best Value

(08:00–10:16)

• Listener’s Dilemma: Richard in Maryland needs a reliable used car (<$10,000) for just 18 months—CarMax and Carvana or a traditional dealer?
• Clark’s Advice: CarMax and Carvana offer transparent pricing, warranties, and a no-questions-asked return window.
  • Key Tip: Always get the car inspected by your own mechanic within the return period, regardless of how “clean” it looks.
    • Quote: “During the time period with CarMax or Carvana that you have the right to return...have it inspected by a mechanic of your choosing...” (08:44, Clark Howard)
• Traditional Dealers: You own the car as soon as you sign, so always get it inspected before finalizing any sale.

4. Costco Gas and Pricing Discrepancies

(10:16–12:59)

• Listener Inquiry: Why do two nearby Costcos have different gas prices, even when local taxes don’t account for it?
• Clark Explains: Costco does a five-mile survey of competitor prices and aims to be 20 cents lower than competitors, even though maximum markup is 15%. Price differences are thus driven mainly by the competition, not just cost or taxes.
  • Quote: “Each location sells gas based on what the competition is around it... But the most they’ll mark up is 15% above their cost.” (12:18, Clark Howard)
• Fun Moment: Playful banter about where producers live (“snobby” vs. “rundown” neighborhoods), ending with a running joke about naming their next dog after retail stores.

5. The Printer Ink Rip-Off and How to Escape It

(17:07–22:12)

• Main Argument: Printer manufacturers follow the Gillette razor-and-blades model—cheap printers, exorbitant ink.
• Stats: Printer ink can be “potentially 2,000 times more expensive per gallon than gasoline.”
• Alternatives:
  • Epson EcoTank: Real price printers, super-cheap ink—but reliability can be an issue.
  • Best Value: For most, “buy a monochrome black ink laser printer” (especially Brother brand), which offers the lowest cost-per-page.
    • Quote: “For most of us, the best answer... is buy a laserjet, a monochrome black ink laserjet printer.” (19:19, Clark Howard)
  • Subscription Ink Services: Viable for very low-volume users who need predictable costs.
    • Producer Note: Savings possible using generic refills, but beware of DRM (digital rights management) blocks.
  • Clark’s Print Volume: “I print per month now, maybe five pages a month.” (21:01, Clark Howard)

6. Listener Questions: Consumer Advocacy

(22:12–29:10)

StubHub Ticket Fiasco

(22:12–24:50)

• Eric in California: Bought Dodgers opening day tickets through StubHub, received “upgraded” (worse) seats, got a refund, but can’t afford new similar seats at tripled price.
• Clark’s Response: StubHub’s “guarantee” only promises a refund, not the tickets you purchased.
  • Quote: “StubHub’s guarantee ... is they give you your money back and wash their hands of the situation just like they did to you.” (23:16, Clark Howard)

Life Insurance as Potential Family Caregiver

(24:50–28:24)

• Jessica in Georgia: Nearing 40, single, could become primary caregiver for parents—should she buy life insurance?
• Advice:
  • Needs more than one times salary if the goal is to provide for parents.
  • Buy “level term insurance” (25 or 30 years), medically underwritten for lowest cost.
  • Primary issue: Set up a trust managed by a reliable person for your parents, ideally with help from an elder law attorney.
    • Quote: “You want to talk with an elder law attorney ... in this case it would be money very well spent.” (27:25, Clark Howard)

FedEx Tariff Invoice Dispute

(28:24–29:10)

• James in Wisconsin: Received a tariff bill and “disbursement fee” from FedEx many months post-delivery.
• Clark’s Guidance: Hold off paying; contact FedEx to see if the tariff was ruled invalid by the Supreme Court. Only pay if it’s valid; if not, contest especially the “junk fee.”
  • Quote: “Let them answer that first because I want you to imagine if you just paid ... you want to hold your breath that you’re ever going to somehow get that back.” (28:52, Clark Howard)
  • Clark’s Personal View: “I’ve always hated tariffs. Conversation for another day.”

Notable Quotes

• “Even though [our newsletters] are free, they’re priceless. Where you learn ways to save more, spend less, and never, never, not ever get ripped off.” (30:55, Clark Howard)
• “Printer ink—2,000 times more expensive than gasoline per gallon!” (00:54, Clark Howard)

Memorable Moments

• Listener banter about dog names inspired by warehouse clubs and retail brands—lightens up the financial discussions. (12:59–13:43)
• Real world gas price anecdotes make the advice tangible (“Krista lives in a really snobby part of town… your Costco has the highest gas prices of any Costco I know…”).
• Candid take on ticket marketplaces: Clark unpacks the “peace of mind” myth about StubHub’s guarantee.

Key Timestamps

• 00:35 — Opening discussion on gas prices
• 03:45 — Clark’s strategy for saving on gasoline
• 05:59 — Listener questions: EVs, depreciation, and more
• 08:20 — Tips for buying a used car (CarMax/Carvana pros & cons)
• 10:59 — Costco gas pricing explained
• 13:43 — Transition to printer ink pricing
• 17:07 — “Printer ink is the world’s biggest ripoff” and alternatives
• 22:12 — Real-life ticket sale dispute with StubHub
• 24:50 — Life insurance advice for caregivers
• 28:24 — FedEx tariff charge guidance and anti-junk fee stance

Final Takeaways

This episode delivers exactly what Clark Howard’s listeners expect: actionable saving strategies, myth-busting consumer advice, and a friendly, empowering tone. Whether you’re grappling with gas prices, deciding on car purchases, or tired of overpaying for ink, Clark has practical and well-explained tips to help you keep more money in your pocket.