In this past week, I have seen the price of gas go up a good 15 cents per gallon. For many of us that are struggling in the Great Recession, this makes another obstacle we have to climb over to get out of the hole.

This week, I have found three more obstacles. Each of the three hidden charges were in my monthly bills. Things that I did not realize that I was being charged, then the money coming out of my pocket. When I questioned the charges, I was told it was written in to my agreement or terms of service.

Phone Bill – $15.61 in Other Charges, What is Other Charges? When asked for specifics I go the answer, “These include non-communications related charges such as Premium Handset Protection and communication-related charges, such as certain fees”.

Setting priorities and watching where our money goes can be a very painful thing. Especially when it gets close to pay day and there is not money to buy lunch a McDonald’s.

Some time back, I was watching a group of people leaving working from a local business that employed a 1,000+ men and women. Over 90% of them make the same hourly wage. However, you would not think that by the way each one dress and the car they were driving.