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If you've filled up your car lately, you've probably noticed the falling prices at the pump. Nationally, prices have dropped 35 cents per gallon in just a month. AAA predicts that trend will continue into the holidays.
People we talked with are glad to see gas prices are dropping. But as we found out, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be spending more this holiday season.
Consider it an early Christmas present; a gift by the gallons.
"I think people will travel given the prices; they are a lot cheaper than they have been in a very long time, I think," Ruth Stewart said.
Stewart is from Lake Andes and thinks the more money people can save here, the more they'll spend elsewhere.
"They get excited about gas prices, makes you want to spend money for other things," Stewart said.
"It's definitely timed real well with the holidays," Hannah Cooley-Hise said. "It will increase my chances to go home for the holidays for sure."
Cooley-Hise normally travels to Platte for the holidays, which is a two-hour drive.
"With as many kids as we have going, that far costs a decent amount of money. But with gas prices a little bit lower, kind of helps with making our budget a little more friendly," Cooley-Hise said.
But not everyone thinks lower prices at the pump will translate into spending more at area stores; at least not on big ticket items. But they say it's better than $4 a gallon gas.
"The more money in the pocket always helps," Jennie Getting said.
"We'll probably just try to save because you never know when gas prices are going to increase anyway," Cooley-Hise said.
The cheapest gas in South Dakota we found on AAA's website is in Vermillion where a gallon of regular unleaded is selling for $3.14.
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