Americans are feeling the economic pain as consumer prices rose nearly 7 percent over the past year, a reality that is causing tough choices and belt-tightening at home as a hedge against the higher cost of living. The jump in prices of gas, food, and durable goods has changed the travel plans and Christmas shopping habits of the Alexander family of Carsonville, Mich. Greg Alexander, 53, commutes 30 miles a day from his farm in rural Sanilac County to his job as director of utilities and community development in the small farming town of Croswell. He was out last on Dec. 10 to buy a few groceries for dinner and fill his pickup with gas at J & D Market in Croswell. “Under Trump gas was way less than $2 a gallon. Today it’s over $3. We’re cutting back on discretionary travel,” Alexander said. “Bulk purchases of agricultural-use diesel were less …