The Detroit News has this story today: High pump prices hurt gas stations.

A snippet:

Mark Griffin, president of the Michigan Petroleum Association, which represents independent station owners, said in recent months stations have been routinely losing money on gas sales.

On average, gas stations can earn as much as 9 cents per gallon of gas and lose as much as 30 cents. If a gas station sells 3,500 gallons of fuel a day and loses an average of 10 cents per gallon, it would have to sell $350 worth of merchandise in the store just to break even.

“That’s a lot of Twinkies,” Griffin said.

I don’t think gas prices are the only factor. The cost of on-the-go snacks also has gone up. It’s been months since I bought Hostess cupcakes, and that used to be one of my favorite treats. I occasionally buy a coffee when traveling, but we bring our own pop cans in a small cooler because that’s a lot cheaper than buying pop at a convenience store. Etc.

The other day, I needed to put air in my tires when I was at the gas station, and realized I had two quarters instead of three that were required to start the air machine.

I went into the store, thinking there was certainly a candy bar or something small I could buy with a dollar bill where I would get correct change back.

I could have bought an out-of-town newspaper, but it wasn’t coupon day : )

I looked at the candy bar prices: 3 for 99 cents.

Very good.

What would it cost for one candy bar?

99 cents.

The sale price required me to buy three candy bars — and that would not solve my problem.

I went up to the cashier and said “I need to use your air machine. Can I break a dollar? I would have bought a candy bar, but that won’t give me the correct change.”

She was really nice about the situation, and pulled out four quarters for my dollar bill.