It is not just gasoline prices that are going up!

There will be more to worry about than just the price of gasoline

The Energy Department says that Natural Gas prices may rise as much as 71% in some places because of Hurricane Katrina! This will depend on how quickly the repairs go on the damaged Gulf coast refineries and oilrigs.

Natural gas prices for the Midwest will increase as much as 71%, while heating oil prices in the Northeast could rise 31%. Electricity prices in the South could jump 17% according to the Energy Department.

Gasoline prices have started to decrease after a record high of over $3.00 per gallon across the nation last weekend. Many people canceled their travel plans for the Labor Day holiday weekend. This also put a hurting on the tourist trade in many places.

Hurricane Katrina will have long-term effects on the entire country. I would suggest you sell your SUV and buy an economy car. Then sharpen up your axe and start chopping some wood for the winter!