The good news: Current gas prices are about 14% below peak prices of $4.11 back on July 17, 2008.  (Source: Money.CNN.com)

The bad news: Depending on what transpires within the Middle East in the weeks and months ahead, history can certainly repeat itself. 

A March 27 Reuters article stated that “Consumer sentiment in March fell to its lowest level in more than a year, as gasoline and food prices rose.” 

So much for progress. 

Most Carrollwood and Northdale residents depend on their personal vehicles to get them from point A to B on any given day.  With that said, gasoline is an essential – rather than luxurious – expense.    

So, how are Carrollwood and Northdale residents coping with the price hikes during these tough times?

Nursing student Gabrielle Martinez, 18, commutes round-trip from Carrollwood to Brooksville five days a week, where she attends classes at Keiser. 

“I used to pay $40 a week for gas, and now I pay $80.  Sometimes I will drive to New Port Richey – the midway point – and hop a ride with a classmate if I can.  In addition, I now bring my lunch instead of buying it from the hospital cafeteria, especially since I also have to pay tolls each way."

Maleah Lockhart, 34, now spends about $50 a week on gas, up from $35 just months ago. 

“I do have to take my son to and from school each day, but otherwise, I try to keep my trips to a minimum.  I’ll condense my errands into fewer trips in an effort to save as much as I can,” said the unemployed Lexus-driving mother. 

Jamie Guner, 25, is a Brandon resident who commutes to her job at Mercantile Bank in Carrollwood.

“I haven’t changed any of my driving habits just yet, but I have cut back on eating out and now I bring my lunch,” said Guner, who usually pays approximately $40 to fill up her tank. She forked out $51.89 on a recent day, though. 

 Amy Rocha, 42, has two young sons and two cars. She’ll often choose which wheel to get behind depending on their schedules and activities. 

“We have a BMW and a Nissan Altima, which gives better gas mileage, so if I have a lot errands or appointments, I’ll try to take that car,” said the Carrollwood resident, who spends about $100 on gas a week between both vehicles. 

“We do eat out less and are trying to trim our expenses in general,” added Rocha. 

John Roberts also plays the alternating game – switching out his Ford truck with his Toyota on occasion to alleviate the burden of high gas prices. 

“If I drove the truck all the time, I’d easily be paying $350-$400 a month on gas, so I’ll switch back and forth because the Corolla only uses a fraction of the gas,” said Roberts.

A short commute is one way to way to ensure you’ll be spending less on gas.  Katie Tomeo, 27, lives about 15 minutes away from her job, and drives a Nissan Altima.

“I spend about $30-$40 on gas per week, which isn’t too bad," she said. "It helps that I live right here in Carrollwood and my job is just over on West Hillsborough and Dale Mabry."