Gas prices have never gone up. Actually they have gone down. Back when gas was twenty-five cents a gallon and jumped to twenty eight cents we were really in a panic. We were only making fifty cents an hour. Back then you could buy a $150,000 home (at todays prices) for $9,000. But a school teacher only made $1,200.00 a year. Now around here they make $50-60,000 a year. Twinkies were .08 cents when they came out but it would take a month to save up that much when we were kids. Now, how many spoiled kids have to have a cell phone to send text messages (when 150 year old morse code is so much faster). (oh, you missed that episode on Jay Leno?) You have it made. Enjoy. One day you'll be talking how easy you have it.