Pinched at the Pump, 'World News' Viewers Share Personal Stories

May 13, 2008— -- With the price of a gallon of gas jumping more than a dime in just the last week, the e-mails we've received show the pain is being felt far and wide. We located three people who posted comments on ABCNews.com and submitted e-mails.

Single mother Caroline Saunders wrote to us from New Jersey: "I now skip breakfast to save the extra $4 per day. That gives me an extra $20 added to my gas budget."

How Are You Dealing With Gas Prices? Tell ABC News

"I've cut my meals to two meals a day, that's every day. I drink free coffee at the office, but as far as breakfast, I don't eat," Saunders said.

Saunders uses the extra money saved by skipping meals and drinking free coffee to pay for the gas needed to drive her 11-year-old daughter wherever she needs to be.

"I'm hoping that it won't get much worse because I don't know what else I can do."

Nor does Sandra Harreld, who, with her husband Bob, co-owns a small trucking company outside Chicago.

"My husband drives and I keep the books plus work a full-time job," she said. "And diesel prices ... a 60 percent increase in two years."

The Harrelds spend much of their time on the road, but at a huge cost. It costs $1,600 dollars a week to fill their truck.

"Personally, it's very stressful on a daily basis," Sandra said.

She added that only the important bills are being paid right now. "Shutting down that would be a last resort, and we'd be forced into bankruptcy."

The e-mails were sent to us from from coast to coast and across economic lines. Economists say families everywhere are now feeling the effects.

"Most people are saying, 'every time I drive past a gas station, it just makes me think about how I'm not getting ahead, I'm just not,'" said Wayne Hochwarter, a professor of management at Florida State University's College of Business.

That includes people like Sandi Bowen in Reeders, Pa., who finally found a job after seven months without one. But it came with a hitch.