Survey: Gas prices cut commuters' spending

CHICAGO, July 9 (UPI) -- Nearly half of U.S. commuters say paying for gasoline has forced them to cut spending in other areas, a survey released Wednesday said.

The poll by CareerBuilder.com found that of the 89 percent of workers who use their cars to get to work, 47 percent have had to forgo something else, such as eating out, vacations or even extracurricular activities for their children.

"Workers have had to modify personal budgets, spending choices and commuting habits to manage the adverse effects today's gas prices have had on their pocketbooks," said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com. "One-in-10 workers said they would take a pay cut for a job with a shorter commute."

According to the survey, 35 percent said they ate out less, 31 percent spent less on entertainment, and 27 percent spent less at the grocery store.

Another 4 percent said they cut back on their kid's activities and 21 percent scrubbed their summer vacation plans.

The nationwide survey of more than 8,700 people was conducted May 22-June 13 with a sampling error of plus or minus 1.05 percentage points.