Can't Drive, Can't Eat... What Can You Do?

In a word, we're screwed. Gas prices are expected to escalate to a national average of $4.25 a gallon by July 4, up from today's already unbearable $3.82 a gallon—the highest early spring cha-ching in history.

Prices have already tipped above $4 a gallon in California, Alaska, Illinois, Connecticut, D.C. and Hawaii ($4.47 in the latter), with New York state pennies away, at $3.96. Since Labor Day 2010, prices at the pump have jumped 42% nationwide—and have increased every day for the past month.

In addition, food prices hopped 0.8% in March, the largest increase in almost three years. Prices for fruits and vegetables, dairy products, chicken and beef all increased. Coffee costs rose 3.5%. From a year ago, it costs 2.9% more to eat.

I suppose it helps, at least indirectly, that I don't own a car. Now if I could just figure out how to survive without food. Can man survive on gin alone? Hiccup. Actually, I'm really not laughing. At all.