It's never too late to take charge of your auto repair and maintenance. This new DIYer is diving right in:

Hello Matt, I just turned 40 and it seems like my life is just beginning. Between my dad and brother I didn't have to worry about auto repair. However dad died and my brother was in a serious motorcycle acident. Well, so now here I go it alone. I was out with my mom who's 80 and while driving down a major highway, my car suddenly started acting like he didn't want to go. I was giving him gas and he wasn't moving to fast. Kinda like he wanted to "crap out" on me. I putted to the gas station, even though I had a little over empty and the light hadn't came on yet. I put 10 bucks in and that brang him over a 1/4. I figured if it was low fuel that would fix him and bam. Got back in and still he "putted". I tried to remember the common problems and came up with HOPEFULLY the cheapest and easiest problem. Spark Plugs! I read your how to change them yourself. And I was smiling when I remembered that years ago my dad, brother and grandfather had all told me that if I ever had to change them, to do them one at a time and the same with the wires. So for now, I send you thanks and hope for the best.
Signed, The 40 year old "try it" yourself-er.

Well 40, you're headed in the right direction! The first step to automotive empowerment is grabbing a tool and popping the hood. If your car is due for a tune up, changing your spark plugs is a good idea. In your case, especially considering your low fuel incident, I'd look at the fuel filter. When your gas tank gets especially low, it's possible for debris to be sucked into the fuel lines. Your fuel filter should catch them, but when the filter clogs it will really slow things down. I'd install a new fuel filter and see if that does the trick. Congratulations on your decision to become your own mechanic!