Gas gripes: readers speak up

Readers weigh in on how rising prices at the pump have taken a toll on their lives.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Whether the effect of surging gas prices has been a minor daily inconvenience or a major life change, it’s clear people are looking for a place to vent their frustration. The nationwide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded hit $2.61 Monday, up 39 percent in the past year, according to AAA.

CNN/Money invited readers to write in and share stories about how they are coping.
“You know gas prices are bad when my husband’s Porsche 911 is our economical car!” one reader wrote. “The other being 9.9 miles to the gallon, Lincoln Navigator!”

Another said things weren’t all bad: “I cook out in the backyard more to save on cooking gas. Maybe all of this has an upside though — we spend much more time together as a family.”

Here’s a sampling of other responses:

CNN/Money