Nearly half the people in the United States say buying gasoline for their cars is their chief economic problem - more so than getting a high-paying job or purchasing health care - according to a survey out this week.

Some 44 percent of those surveyed say gas purchases are a “serious problem” as the average price topped $3.50 a gallon this week.

In what is alarming to health-care providers, nearly three in 10 people surveyed said they put off or postponed getting medical care they needed in the past year, while nearly 25 percent skipped a recommended test or treatment or didn’t fill a prescription.

No wonder then that payday loans are increasing in popularity across the country. According to Cypress Research Group six out of 10 payday loan customers are homeowners and 65 percent have household incomes between $25,000 and $75,000 a year.

So why are homeowners turning to payday loans?

Cypress Research says most are taking loans to help with unexpected expenses such as medical bills. And, no surprise, to avoid late charges on bills also ranks high along with avoiding bounced checks.

According to the Consumer Credit Research Foundation, the $30 fee on a typical two-week payday cash advance is 391 percent when expressed as an annual percentage rate. While that’s no walk in the park, it’s a far cry from the 585 percent that a $45 charge on a bounced check will cost you. Convenience is another reason. Many sites online allow people to shop for the best rates and find nearby brick-and-mortar locations.