If you're like most people, you've probably been dreading each trip you make to the gas station. Day to day, it seems the prices at the pump continue to climb and we are left to fit the bill. With average pump prices hovering around $3.00 or more a gallon…we are left with wondering how to pay our other expenses let alone actually SAVE for anything else, be it our future or the next month's bills. We will need to find new and creative ways to deal with the enforced "pinch at the pump."
Higher gas prices and inflation may make it more difficult to stick to your savings goals. On the other hand, rising prices also make saving more important than ever: Higher costs mean you'll probably need more cash to address an emergency, whether it's a layoff or a leaky roof—and you may need a larger nest egg in retirement. For those reasons it's essential not to deplete your emergency fund or cut back on contributions to 401(k)s or IRAs in order to meet rising expenses. The good news is that planning ahead and making a few small adjustments can help you absorb higher prices and stick to your savings plan.

Streamline your budget and keep saving
Now's the time to plan for the higher costs you may face in the coming months. Taking steps today will help you navigate higher prices without sacrificing your all-important saving for emergencies, retirement, education, and whatever else is important to you. Many easy steps can be taken in order to watch your budget—during such a "budget crunch". Consider the following tips to help lower gasoline costs:
Take your time when you're behind the wheel. Fuel efficiency (like safety) drops dramatically at speeds higher than 60 miles per hour. It has been reported that every 5 miles over 60mph decreases fuel efficiency by about 7%. You also can conserve gas by accelerating gradually and—if your car has a standard transmission-shifting into higher gears more quickly.
Drive fuel-efficient cars when possible. You might be tempted to take the roomy, 15-miles-per-gallon SUV when carting your family across town or on long trips—but you'll save a bundle if you instead take the sedan that gets 25 miles to the gallon.
Keep up car maintenance. Cars use less gas when they're in good repair, with properly aligned and inflated tires, a clean, well-lubricated and properly timed engine, and a healthy exhaust system. You'll also minimize wear and tear on the auto itself, saving you still more money in the long run.
Consider car pooling. Sharing gas costs with a co-worker or family member can cut gas bills in half for certain trips.
These adjustments may seem minor, but they can have a major impact on your budget. If gas costs $3 per gallon, you may save $90 a month by improving your average fuel efficiency from 20 to 25 miles per gallon and driving 1,750 miles instead of 2,000.
Lastly, Create a budget
Inflation, unfortunately causes us to buckle down on our budget. If you don't have a budget, now is a perfect time to create one. You can start by tracking your spending in various categories for a month or two. Then, for smart ways to eliminate unnecessary costs… For example, you might bring lunch to work instead of dining out (estimated savings: $120 a month), make coffee at home instead of buying it ($30 a month), cancel the satellite radio subscription you never use, eliminate the "extras" on your cable bill ($12-20 a month), and even downgrade your cell phone service ($5-40 a month).
All of these strategies may help you free up cash to pay for higher costs on food, utilities, and other items, allowing you to continue adding to your emergency fund, college fund, or retirement nest egg. You may even find that you can stash away more than ever-and that could make today's concern about rising prices a blessing in disguise. 

have the courage to question & challenge the status quo... refuse to accept "traditional" thinking and answers as fact....
~Kimlee