is on track to have the highest fuel bill ever, based on statistics just compiled by OPIS Retail Group.  There is a consolation prize: The estimated monthly household cost for buying gasoline did drop in October by 3.5 percent to $332.40, thanks to a decline in retail pump prices to a national average of $3.44 per gallon, the lowest since February.  Still, when compared to last year household fuel bills are $50 per month higher.  Moreover, American's are on track to cough up a record $490 billion for gasoline in 2011.  That would top 2008?s fuel bill of $448 billion.  Last year's tally was around $390 billion, so the current pace of spending would exceed last year by $100 billion or 25 percent.  Year-to-date Americans have spent 8.4 percent of their income on gasoline, up from 6.7 percent last year and on track surpass the 7.9 percent number hit in 2008. Crude oil remained volatile again this week, reacting to national and international economic news.  New claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell last week to their lowest level since early April and the trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in September, both indicators of a recovering economy that will ultimately boost fuel demand.  Progress in Italy's efforts to resolve its debt problems, in addition to leadership changes in both Italy and Greece, have demonstrated Europe's willingness to take the necessary steps to contain the region's debt crisis.  The commodity closed at a 15-week high Thursday of $97.78 and continued gains