The increase in fuel costs is expected to have a cascading effect on the price of essential commodities. With inflation at an all-time high, people are having a hard time managing their household budget. The Rs 5 hike in petrol, Rs 3 in diesel and Rs 50 for LPG has forced the the common man to ponder over the means to tide over the current crisis. Rajinder Walia, Assistant Section Officer, Panjab University, has a monthly income of around Rs 20,000. With a family of four to support, Walia says managing everyday expenses has become a Herculean task. "Careful planning is the key here,' he added. Walia's wife, who was working till a few years ago, left her job when the department she was working in closed down. His son is pursuing MBA at ICFAI, Hyderabad. Having taken an education loan to finance his studies, Walia pays Rs 5,000 a month as installment apart from the day-to-day costs of staying in Hyderabad. His daughter will soon take admission in a city college this year. Walia admits having given up on his two-wheeler as well as mobile connection. He also has to pay a house loan. "With the prices of petrol soaring, I prefer commuting by the bus. I do not need a cell phone connection any longer, though i am getting one for my daughter. The expenses on essential commodities is on the rise. The salaries do not increase as much as the prices do. It is difficult to save for the rainy days,' he laments. Varun Dada, Regional Sales Manager, The Edrington Group, has a salary of around Rs 60,000 per month. With his wife Vandana Dada also working, he feels that the increase in the prices of fuels would have an impact on their household budget. "I stay in Sunny Enclave near Kharar. Commuting to Chandigarh everyday would surely burn a big hole in my pocket. My monthly expense on fuel is around Rs 6,500,' he says. There are some who feel that the pattern of consumption is not likely to change much. Dr Nita Malhotra, an orthodontist at the General Hospital, Sector 16, says that apart from making a difference to the amount of travelling one undertakes, the hike would not make much of a difference. "One's way of life does not change much due to this,' she smiles.