Gas prices gouge eating, shopping habits, too

Our family has put off all unnecessary purchases — clothes, non-sale food items, milk, shoes, etc. Our planned vacation dollars have been re-adjusted to pay for fuel to get to work and home again. All entertainment budget has been canceled. No movie tickets, movie rentals or spring break day trips will be taken at this time.
— K A Stevens, Dallas, Texas

I am stopping my cable/broadband service since $110 a month is absurd and doesn't offer value-added each time the bill goes up. I have already stopped using the local grocery store chain since companies like Trader Joe’s offers a better value for the dollar. I stopped eating out once a week because restaurant food is already pricey. I moved down one grade in gasoline since it's too damned expensive.
— Ed, Sacramento, Calif.

We are only running one vehicle, we no longer have cable or satellite TV, [and] no Internet at home. We are walking to work more [and] having to work more. Trying to figure out how to keep our home warm is a huge problem this year too.
— Jay McKenney, Ft. Fairfield, Maine

Nothing. I drive a ‘95 Honda Civic that gets 30-35 [miles per gallon]. I'm in favor a levying a 20 percent gas tax on each gallon purchased. I think this would incentivize the creation of new technology and reduce our dependence on oil. It would also keep us out of the Middle East and end the ethanol craze.
— Clint Stonacek, Stamford, Conn.

We make sure the kids have what they need and my husband I just do without. Milk, cheese, fruit — we don't buy as much as we used to. I'm taking more and more off my list each week to stay within my budget of $150 a week, and for a family of six it has become quite a task. It's made life more difficult than ever and I am so tired. … We are forced to give up everything except the basic necessities in order to provide for our families.
— Mary Matetzschk, Bleiblerville, Texas

I am cutting back on anything I don't need. The problem is that the companies know we will pay the price no matter how high it gets. If the government truly wants to stimulate the economy, they would find a way to bring down the price of gas and stop letting the billion-dollar oil industry gouge the people.
— Helen Briskey, Hamilton, Ind.

I am not cutting back on anything because I saw this coming years ago and got a fuel-thrifty car.
— Richard Poor, McDonald, Penn.

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