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Small business owners are feeling the crunch of rising gas prices

Gas Buddy and other experts blame the price hikes on the rising cost of a barrel of oil and oil production problems in Iran and Venezuela.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Gasoline is the lifeblood that keeps us driving, but its fluctuating prices are causing pain at the pump.

"It kills us, it hurts us, it hurts everybody," said Al Ferraro.

Gas Buddy and other experts blame the price hikes on the rising cost of a barrel of oil and oil production problems in Iran and Venezuela.

"We're always trying to beat down the numbers, but it is difficult in this business," he said.

Ferraro owns a landscape lawn maintenance company. He said these days, he is crunching the numbers more and more.

"We crunch it all the time, it is not one time during the day," he said. "It is all the day."

His business operates five vehicles and a number of gas-powered equipment. On Thursday, his company purchased 55 gallons of gas and the price difference was very obvious.

"It is difficult for everybody when it goes like this," he said.

The numbers are very revealing.

This time a year ago, he would have paid $129.25 for 55 gallons of gas.

Last week, the same amount of gas would have cost $147.95, on Thursday the price jumped to $158.95.

Ferraro said the rising gas prices have forced him be more efficient. For now, his business is taking the hit.

"It means that when you need to get tires on the equipment or blades you go a little longer than you want to," he said.

But if gas prices continue to fluctuate without a sign of stabilization, more changes are coming.

"I think we're about as lean as we can get," he said.

If it gets too lean for the company, the cost may eventually be passed on to the customer.

"That's the last resort," said Ferraro. "We try to see where we can constantly do the cutting."

Dan McTeague with Gas Buddy predicts that we are at the highest end of what we can expect to pay. He said you can expect to see a roll back in prices next week.

McTeague said the smart money now is to look before you purchase and you may be able to save a penny or two at the pump.

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