With gas prices approaching the pre-apocalyptic price of $5.00 gallon, it isn't just an issue that impacts the budgets of the working poor. Unless you're a Shell executive, the average Jalopnik might start feeling the pinch soon. Even if you take advantage of our seven ways to save gas, the cost of a fill-up for those having to commute long distances to work is moving towards a sex-in-the-back-of-a-VW level of discomfort.

This begs the question: Are current gas prices starting to seriously alter your driving habits? Worse, is fuel starting to cut into your regular income in a way that means balancing the checkbook now requires a graphing calculator, grad student and Ouija Board?

Send an email to Matt Hardigree, the author of this post, at matt@jalopnik.com.