
The pain at the pump is getting slightly more manageable now that oil and gas prices keep falling.
Oil prices fell again Friday to settle at around $123 a barrel.
Overall, the price of oil has fallen $24 in two weeks. With that, came the fall of gas prices.
One of the cheapest prices found in West Michigan Saturday evening was in Wyoming, where it was $3.83 a gallon at Costco.
But while gas prices are falling, some are still finding ways to ease their pain at the pump.
We've heard the concept of staycations before: going someplace local for vacation; cutting down on travel times and cost.
But while some sun at the pool, others are, well doing the same thing; just on a more permanent basis.
The Matthews family from East Grand Rapids chose Byron Center's Woodchip Campground for their local getaway.
"We live close in town here and with gas prices and the way things are going it's easy to come here," says father and husband Harry Matthews. "And, it's a beautiful pool."
His family is finding comfort at the pool, and in their wallet.
"We were talking about this last night," says Harry. "I would say (we saved) $200 bucks minimum. That's enough to sacrifice going north to come here."
But when it comes to sacrifices, there's one family at the campground saying they're not making any.
Pointing out her flowers and deck, Cathy Claflin says she lives at the campground from May until October.
She is one of many seasonal campers cutting their daily commute to work in half, and easing their pain at the pump.
"I would say I probably spend about $25 a week in gas, and it would be up to $50 if I lived over by Lamar park."
Cathy's permanent home is near Chicago Drive and Byron Center. But she says with all the luxury that comes in an R.V, it's just like having a summer home.
"We have cookouts, we have church service on Sunday mornings," says Claflin. "A fire at 8 o'clock every night, so it's great, we're all a community here."
So staycation or home away from home; they're both ways to make filling up a little more bearable.
"It's hard to go three or four hours north when you can come 15 minutes and you're right here," says Harry.
Overall, the Woodchip Campground is hurting like most businesses in the economy.
However, they're hoping the concept of staycations will boost their business.
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