Higher gas prices are not just hitting Americans in the wallets, they are hitting them in the attitude too. In addition to finding that 60 percent of employees say that buying gas has reduced the amount of money they have to spend on other things, a study at Florida State University found that the most affected by gas prices were more likely to be experiencing stress both on and off the job.

The greatest effect was distraction on the job caused by worrying about financial matters. Most employees didn’t think the company was sacrificing due to the rising gas prices and were less committed to their jobs. Employees felt alone in their sacrifices as gas prices took a bigger chunk of their paychecks.

Those personally affected by gas prices who did not see the company sacrificing were less committed to getting things done while at work. Compared to those who felt that their company was doing without, those who felt alone in their sacrifice:

* Were 15 percent less committed to the company.

* Had job performance levels that were 12 percent lower.

* Were 20 percent less willing to stay late or work extra if needed.

* Were 25 percent less likely to give “maximum effort.”

Higher gas prices leave many workers running on empty

Gas prices keep going up and the average price for a gallon is now over $3 for most of the United States. Summer is peak driving season and the demand for gas goes up.

Consumers will continue to buy gas because they need it. The prediction is that summer prices will break all records. They already have in California where gas is over $4 in one location.

Oil companies are blaming the necessity of retooling refineries to meet environmental regulations for the low supply that is driving the high prices. But do we really believe that the oil companies are going to dry up on the gas supply?

The AAA warns that prices may rise another 15 to 20 cents before they peak at the end of May.

The price of a gallon of gasoline is closing in on the $3 range over much of the country with prices in five states, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada and Washington, over $3 per gallon.

This time around the $3 mark, consumers aren’t complaining as much and seem to accept the rising prices as normal and expected.

California drivers are hit hardest with the average gasoline price at $3.35 per gallon. The lowest price in the nation is in North Carolina, where in Winston-Salem you can fill up at only $2.47 per gallon.

For those who have purchased hybrid vehicles to help them avoid the gas-crunch, there is more bad news. Traction control problems haunt Toyota’s Prius with consumer complaints increasing. Consumers living in snowy or hilly areas have had problems when the traction control, which is computer-operated, shuts down engine power in slippery conditions. Toyota maintains that the traction control is operating properly, reducing or shutting down power to the engine when it detects wheel spin. This can happen even if the car goes over a bump. Toyota has been reluctant to make any changes, causing consternation for owners.

I can remember a time not so long ago, that I would only buy a few dollars worth of gas at a time, because the price was likely to go down in a few days and it would be foolish to fill my tank with more expensive gasoline now rather than wait for a price drop.

Well, prices are headed up and up and, it seems, up. The price of a gallon of regular is up an average of 21 cents and prices are expected to increase through March.

Rising gas prices may make us groan at the pump as we watch the numbers tick off but because the increase happens over a period of time, we may not immediately notice the impact they have on our budget.

But that is the way inflation and rising prices work. Last year’s budget may not reflect your actual expenditures this year. Because we tend to include increases in income - probably because it makes us feel better about spending - and less likely to include small increases that over time take more and more of that income, our budgets can be inaccurate if not kept up to date.

Take time out, say every three months, to go over your projected expenditures and bills and adjust your budget where necessary. Only by having an accurate financial picture today can you plan and save for your future.