Study: Two-thirds of Georgians live paycheck to paycheck - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

With gas prices rising above the $4 mark and rising unemployment, many Georgians are struggling more than ever economically. A new study shows that more than half of Georgians are living paycheck to paycheck.

Hope Pennington is a waitress who depends on tips. She said that the $4.09 a gallon for gas that she paid on Thursday would stretch her finances.  

She's not alone. According to a new study by the Georgia Credit Union affiliates says that 66.5 percent of Georgians are living paycheck to paycheck.

"People are feeling the pinch of the economy," said Anita Pearl, a Georgia Credit Union Affiliate.

The survey of 7,200 credit union members also found that 85 percent of Georgians reduced their spending last year, Pearl said.

"Most likely those discretionary buys have to be put by the wayside," said Pearl.

Robert Shields said he's feeling the pinch in the pocketbook.

"You have to cut back on, you know, like no movies. Maybe take the bus instead. Stuff like that," said Shields.

Making matters worse, the Georgia Department of Labor reported on Thursday that the unemployment rate rose last month to 9.3 percent.