News 12 at 6, April 23, 2008

AUGUSTA -- The national average for a gallon of gas has reached $3.50 a gallon and experts say it could keep going up. Prices have continued to climb, and if you want to drive you have to pay.

That means many of you are saying a lot of goodbyes these days to things like, eating out and brand names so you can say hello to a full tank of gas.

A gallon of gas is reaching levels that, a few years ago, you thought you'd never see.

"Gas prices are awful. Especially in this," one driver said.

But this is a country built on guzzling gas and so to fill up, you have to pay up; a lot. And that means sacrifices.

"No vacations, nothing like that," another driver said.

Budgets are tight, so what are people cutting out to keep their tank full?

Restaurants, golf and, well, driving seem to be at the top of the list.

Some are paying attention by watching mileage.

Some are staying in again.

"I go home and try not to spend money. And my kids are just not going anywhere," one mother said.

Some are taking the bus to take vacation.

Others are improving bottom lines by taking another job or trying to find more sales.

Some are combining trips, but a few more say, they're just getting by with no changes at all.

Most are trying to avoid gas hogging vehicles.

The common theme: sacrificing to afford gas to get them where they need to be.