Americans, Hurt by Rising Gas Prices, Curb Spending

I know we're all hurting.

One of the grocery stores we regularly shop at, has a great deal on gas- for every $50 you spend, you get $.10 off per gallon. A couple months back, I had racked up $.80 off- I was ecstatic! Of course with gas the price it is these days (I recently saw regular unleaded at a local Speedway for $4.17), when you realize you still have to pay over $3 a gallon for gas, you quickly stop smiling.

My youngest sister-in-law is getting re-married in August, in the northern part of the state. Two days prior to this, I have a dr's appointment in PA. It's already expensive enough making one round (long-distance) trip, but two? In a matter of days? NO. So basically, we won't be attending the event. And the summer BBQ at another in-law's house next weekend? Nope. 3 weeks from now is our 10th anniversary. We need money to do something.. anything! And as much as it's nice to visit family, the thought of spending hundreds on gas to just visit them is not appealing.