Consumers frustrated with gas price outlook

BROWN COUNTY - Here we go again: Gas prices are increasing.

"I think they're getting ridiculous again," said Sandra Maes, as she filled up her Jeep Friday afternoon.

The hike has folks wondering when relief will come.

"I’m unemployed, I have health problems, and there are a lot of people like me out there, and they can't afford these raises," said Maes.

Gas prices in the Green Bay area Friday ranged from $3.35 to $3.39 a gallon. According to AAA that's up from last week's $3.26. A year ago, a gallon cost $3.14.

Analysts with gasbuddy.com say prices could hit more than $4 a gallon by early this spring.

“That terrifies me," said Maes.

But AAA says the possible prices for later this year are nearly impossible to predict right now.

"The economy is still so sluggish, and the demand right now is still down. So the expectation that it's going to be a record year is pretty hard to say, because it could be just like 2011," said Jack Simono with AAA.

Drivers say they're trying to plan out their budgets on shrinking income. The most recent census data show the median household income in Wisconsin dropped nearly $2,000 between 2009 and 2010. Budgeting for the rising cost of gas continues to be a problem for families.

“Individuals and families are having a really tough time as far as keeping up, trying to deal with static incomes or incomes that have been reduced," said Judy Knudesen, a family living educator with the Brown County UW-Extension Office.

Family living educators say there is a small bright spot for consumers.

"If you look at food costs in 2011, they increased fairly steadily. But in the last three months, food costs have actually decreased," said Knudsen.

Even though they may have saved at the store, drivers say they're not looking forward to the pains of paying more at the pump.

"It still takes a big bite out of my budget," said Maes.

AAA says this latest increase on the ending of a tax credit for ethanol production and the recent troubles with Iran.

But, it says it doesn't predict 2012 to be worse than last year. Green Bay saw its highest recorded average price last May at $4.09 a gallon.