As gas prices surge to a national average of $4 a gallon, Americans are adjusting their daily routines to cut energy usage and discretionary spending.
From mapping out errands to avoid driving long distances to using fans instead of air conditioning, consumers are finding ways to cope with the rising costs.
For those who can afford it, electric vehicles are becoming a more attractive option, with some homeowners even installing solar panels to power their EV chargers.
However, the rising price of gas is hitting low-income families and the working poor the hardest, with little room to maneuver and cut from already stretched budgets.
Economists warn that the combination of high gas prices and inflation could lead to a broader pullback in discretionary spending, exacerbating the economic impact of the war in the Middle East.
