Freezing out your debit account for a full tank of gas even though you only want a half tank is one of those things that you always suspected, but assumed, They'd never do that to us loyal customers. Well they did. And they are. The gas stations blame the banks and the banks blame the gas stations.

On my trip back from down south, I found that gas is plentiful and expensive from Tennessee north. In Alabama and Mississippi, especially in the latter, supply is hit or miss and prices are high. But surprisingly in Louisiana (although not obviously in New Orleans) supply is plentiful and the price is cheap, in the $2.40s.

It could be worse. In some places, prices are 7 bucks a gallon, a hundred and fifty for a fillup!