From working families to young professionals to senior citizens, rising gasoline prices and the slumping economy, in general, are taking a toll.
The average price for regular unleaded gas at the pump hit $3.723 in Miami-Dade County, and $3.669 in Broward last week, according to figures compiled by AAA. That's up about 10 percent from a month ago and 20 percent from a year ago. Nationwide, the average gas price was somewhat lower but still rose to a record $3.623 Thursday before falling off slightly.
Here's what a few South Floridians had to say one day last week as they pumped gas at a Shell station at 36th Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami:
• Five days a week, Terry Menendez drives from her Deerfield Beach home to Miami to care for an elderly woman, a long-time family friend. The woman's daughter pays for Menendez's gas, but if prices get much higher, she's thinking she may look into taking Tri-Rail.
The train wouldn't be convenient, but perhaps it would be cheaper. A round-trip weekday Tri-Rail ticket would cost $7.75 for this distance.
A retired medical office manager, Menendez is getting by on Social Security and help from her five kids.
''Blessed be God, they help me out,'' she said, adding that without them, ``I wouldn't make it at all.''
• Several young professionals interviewed said they are cutting back nonessential spending to compensate for higher prices for gas and groceries.
Vernita Williams, an accountant, said driving is the only practical form of transportation for her. And that means paying higher gas prices -- $75 to fill up her Lexus SUV. Premium, which is required by many high-end vehicles, was $4.159 at the Shell station. ''You have to get around, and to get around you have to pay more,'' she said.
Instead, she said, she is cutting back on restaurant meals and shopping.
• Daniel Cedeño of Coconut Grove said he has been spending $200 a week on gas for his and his wife's vehicles. He owns a video store; she's a nurse's aide.
The video store, he said, is getting more business as a growing number of customers rent DVDs instead of going to the movies. But it's not enough to offset rising prices for basic necessities.
''The only thing that hasn't been up,'' Cedeño said, ``is what people earn.''
