by Bora Bora

Created on: May 23, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

As the economy continues to plummet, one's provision to support its affects on our daily lives, has called for re-organizing and re-prioritizing. One of the biggest problems I struggle with everyday is the rise in gas. I can't help but reminisce about when gas was just $1.29 a gallon for regular unleaded. Ten dollars use to give me a half tank of gas in my Honda Accord. Ten dollars now - just barely moves away from the empty line. How on earth will I compensate for the extra money I now spend to keep gas in my vehicle?

These are the exact words I murmured to myself, as for the second time in a week I was filling my car up with gas. Every day, five times a week , I have to get my 9 year old daughter to school, I have to drive out about 10 miles to get to work, I have to pick up my son from basket ball practice 3 times a week, take my daughter to gymnastics twice a week, as well as pay the monthly tuition. I immediately began to worry. The extra money I spend on gas was slowly taking away from the money I use to support the things I believe are necessary and important to and for my family.

Would I have to take my daughter out of gymnastics, would I have to get up a couple of hours early and catch the bus instead of drive? For the schedule that my children and I have, and with the possibility of me riding the bus - would definitely throw us way off our schedule. Riding the bus takes way more time than driving a car because of the predestined stops. Who would then get my nine year old daughter from her school bus and who would keep her until her 14 year old brother arrived home from high school? Would that add more problems than it was to begin with?

These are just a few thoughts I struggled with. I didn't want to disappoint my children. But what was a single mother to do? I had a pretty decent job that supported my current budget, but the gas prices have definitely thrown that budget out the window. The rise in gas is one ordeal, but also the rise in groceries added to my dilemma.

If my children and I were going to survive the economy crisis. I had to do something quick. It was evident that the rise in gas wouldn't be an ephemeral event. It's expected to peak at $7 a gallon soon.

I decided to write out a new budget. I had to cut down on some things that weren't necessary though enjoyed. I decided to eliminate the dry cleaning, heck lots of people ironed, and so could I. I decided to let go of the extra television programs, like HBO, Cinnemax, and Starz. Heck it was

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