Have you ever wondered why gas prices are so absurdly posted. $3.699! Why is gas prices reported to the third digit. The difference between $3.699 and $3.70 is 1/1000 of a dollar. That means that if you buy 10 gallons of gas, you will save a penny, $.01 cent. On 10 gallons of gas. Now that is a budget item!

The cheapest gas we ever bought was in Texas, $.199. Yes friends, under 20 cents a gallon. There was a supply line directly from the refinery in that location, but gas was often in the $.20 to $.30 range in those days (now you know I am OLD!) The most expensive gas was $5.50 a gallon in 1980s dollars. If you have travelled internationally, you know that gas is a bargain here. Just go over the border into Canada if you question that.

But back to the 9/1000s of a cent regularly reported. It originated with the gas war. When I was a child, they were a regular feature, and believe me, my parents watched it. We looked for the cheapest gas where they gave away the best glasses with each fill-up and the attendant (a person who comes out and fills the tank) not only fuels the car, but also washes the windshield and vacuums the carpet under your feet. Yes, that happened.

Rival stations would proudly announce their prices and people paid attention to the gas price. It mattered because budgets were tight. (Is that what was great about America?) One clever gas station owner saw a way to steal the customers from his rivals, post a price 1/1000 of a cent less than them. $.399 just feels less than $.40. OK, it is less, but not a whole lot!

And now we have started a tariff war with our neighbors. Our closest neighbors. Neighbors we have long traded with, to advantage of both. We have become the corner bully.

Know one thing, we are people to pay for this little tariff war. We will pay for it at the grocery store. I made stroganoff Friday with evil mushrooms from CANADA. The extra $.40 cents for mushrooms will not break my budget, but it is not going to be good when added to the grapes, tomatoes, meats, eggs, etc. imported from other countries. Trade is a lifeline and we have just detoured trade by syphoning off 25%.