OK, this puts us at threat level: midnight. I'm not doing the Chicken Little thing; it's just my usual budget reminder, baby. Crude hit 139 bucks a barrel, gas prices hit $4 a gallon over the weekend, and it's hitting us where we hurt.

What I'm about to say is more twisted than a high school nerd's shorts after running into the football bully near the goalpost, but this might actually be a GOOD thing for most joes and jills out there. With gas prices being higher than a helium-filled Space Shuttle, it's the first time most people have looked at their checkbooks in a loooooooong while.

If that's what it takes to get people to pay attention, then have at it. If they cut out the morning latte to afford gas, then they'll start thinking about what else they can trim to get ahead. Carpooling. Coupons. Run around the block instead of paying $100 to do it on a health club treadmill. Think about what you REALLY need each day. If you can get by without it, then deep-six it so you can do some debt reduction. Once you're debt free and want some of the fun stuff back, then we'll talk.