Workers Cut Back to Buy Gas for Commute

Forty-seven percent of workers who say they drive to work report that they have had to give up something in order to afford the gas needed for their commute, according to an online survey.

Of the more than 8,700 workers who responded to the survey, 89 percent said they drive to work. When asked to identify what they had to forego in order to accommodate higher fuel prices, workers reported they:

  ● Ate out less (35 percent)

  ● Spent less money on entertainment (31 percent)

  ● Bought less expensive groceries (27 percent)

  ● Went shopping for clothes less (24 percent)

  ● Did not go on vacation (21 percent)

  ● Eliminated cable, magazine subscriptions, etc. (11 percent)

  ● Did not attend a function where they would be expected to bring a gift (9 percent)

  ● Cut back on their child's extracurricular activities (4 percent) 

Given the cost of gas today, 60 percent of workers said they would be willing to drive up to 20 miles to the office. Twenty-nine percent would only drive up to 10 miles, while 10 percent would only drive up to five miles.