NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures rallied to a record high of $1,000 an ounce on Thursday, fueled by a combination of a weakening dollar, strong investment demand and inflation fears due to rising crude oil prices.

Record gas prices push energy spending to near 1980s levels

So gasoline prices are at an all-time high. But after adjusting for inflation, rising incomes and better fuel efficiency, how bad are they really? The experts' answer: Bad. Nearly as bad as they've ever been, and not likely to get better anytime soon.