How to Pump Up Profits Despite Soaring Gas Prices

Written by Sarah Pierce of Entrepreneur.com

It's a rough time to be a business owner. Everywhere you turn, there's news about the weakened economy and cash-strapped consumers. If you haven't felt the squeeze of soaring gas prices yet, you're lucky -- but not immune.

According to a January Nielsen report, 49% of U.S. consumers have already reduced their spending to compensate for high gas prices, and that number could increase if gas hits the $4 a gallon national average that's predicted for this summer....