The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the average price of milk in Oklahoma dropped from $4.20 per gallon in Nov. 2007 to $3.95 in Nov. 2008. However, the bureau showed overall price increases in most other food areas for the same period. For example, bread prices rose by more than 16 percent from Nov. 2007 to Nov. 2008.

Downum said she tries to buy items all at once, especially when they are on sale.

“We try to get food a month ahead,” she said. “It’s more expensive to buy every week than it is to buy in bulk.”

Yet, she said she finds herself buying incidental groceries almost every day.

“I have two teenagers,” she said.

Downum said she comes to Muskogee from Eufaula once a week to go to her OB/GYN. She said she takes advantage of these visits by shopping at Save-A-Lot.

“We don’t do a whole bunch of splurging anymore,” she said. “With gas prices down, even if it saves $10, it’s worth it.”

Gas prices aren’t staying down, though.

Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma, said the state average price of gasoline in the pump rose by eight cents in the past six days to $1.58 per gallon.

“It really depends on the price of crude oil going up to $40 per barrel based on concern in the Middle East,” he said.

Mai said the best way to budget gasoline or travel costs is to “expect the worst and hope for the best.”

“It’s always good to overestimate what you think you’ll be paying for,” he said.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email