A consumer certainly doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that the cost of food and gasoline is increasing almost daily.

Food prices have increased in response to many factors: higher energy and fertilizer prices; increased demand for biofuels, especially in the U. S. and the European Union; and droughts in Australia and other countries.

Gas prices have also risen under the pressure of various factors, including much heavier demand for gas in areas of the world such as China and India.

ACCENT is asking readers of The Greeneville Sun to let us know how they are combatting higher food and gas prices. What steps are you taking to make your dollars go further?

Are you doing anything to "stretch" your dollar that you might be willing to share with other readers through ACCENT?

If so, please e-mail me at kathy.knight@greenevillesun.com, call me at 359-3158, or mail your information to P.O. Box 1630, Greeneville, TN 37744.

Thanks! We hope to share many of the suggestions in a future ACCENT.