Robert McMillan's "A Closer Look at Gasoline Prices" column correctly points out that "the prices for milk, bread, postage stamps, and even bottled water all have increased at a higher rate than gasoline over the last 25 years."

While I hate paying over $4 a gallon for gas, which is a necessity, one way I am able to afford it is by never spending one cent on unnecessary luxury liquids that cost much more than $4 a gallon; including bottled water, beer, wine, liquor, and lattes.__

Richard Siegelman