Spending habits change as gas prices soar
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ALPENA -- The dreaded $4 a gallon price for gasoline finally became a reality in Northeast Michigan over the weekend.
The price for a gallon of gas was $4.19 at most gas stations in Alpena on Saturday, while several were selling fuel for $4.24 a gallon.
The price of fuel has been creeping upward for weeks, so it wasn't a surprise for many, but some local residents say the increased expenses will force changes to their other spending.
John Finnigan said he has suspected for months gas would breach the four-dollar a gallon mark. He said the question now is, how high gas will continue to climb and what the impact will be on his wallet.
"My wife and son also have cars and have to drive to work and school so it will have a huge impact on us," he said. "The sad thing is, I don't think this is going to be a short-term increase. We'll adjust, but we'll have to cut back on things like going out for dinner and limit impulse spending."
Breck McDonald was putting gas in his car at the Shell station on Chisholm Street on Sunday. He said he spends a great deal of time on the road traveling back and forth to work and he will have to find a way to make ends meet while prices are elevated.
"It is definitely going to impact me and impact my travel big time," McDonald said. "Honestly, I will have to spend less on other things. Traveling back and forth to work is getting more and more expensive. I'll have to really be careful with my spending."
Jane Becker was also putting gas in her truck at the Shell station on Sunday. She said the cost of filling the vehicle up is mind-numbing. She said she is considering selling her truck to get a vehicle that is more fuel efficient, but, she added, the cost of cars have increased significantly also and that makes it hard for her to do right now.
"This really sucks," Becker said. "Can't afford the gas and can't afford to buy a new car, if I could even find one. If this lasts as long as the news says it could, a lot of people will struggle to pay all their bills."
Gregg Timms said he expects high gas prices to last through the summer. He said that will impact how much time he spends on his boat and where he takes the family on vacation. Timms said complaining about it doesn't help because people who depend on their cars to get from place to place, will have to pay the rate, no matter what it is.
"I'm not happy about any of it but what are you going to do?" he said. "We have to have it. The sad thing is heating costs and electricity and water rates keep going up too. It is going to get very expensive to live. I'm lucky because my wife and I have good jobs, but what about the people who live paycheck to paycheck? What about seniors who are on fixed incomes? They were already paying more for food and other things they need and now they get this. It's not good."