Will the rising cost of gasoline drive us to Recession part deux? In Charlotte NC gasoline prices about about $1 higher per gallon than last year, currently $3.20/gallon. By Memorial Day it is estimated to be $3.75/gallon. By Memorial day a family with two cars that use an average of 30 gallons a week could be paying nearly $200/month in gasoline costs. Higher fuel costs will also drive increases in food and consumer goods. Sounds a lot like inflaton, doesn't it? If families are paying more for fuel, food and clothing will there be a second housing bubble? Will there be another round of job losses that push unemployment to 15 or 20%? If the consumer drives the US economy, having less disposable income will certainly kill any recovery that might be starting.