Desperate Australians are turning to hacks – including app stacking and vouchers – to survive the current fuel crisis, which many experts describe as the largest oil supply disruption in global history.
With the national average for unleaded petrol soaring to $1.98 per litre on Sunday – a staggering 17 cents above the 12-week average – Aussies are struggling to justify their daily commutes.
Many have now turned to forums to share their clever workarounds for keeping their cars on the road.
The 7-Eleven hack
One post that went viral this week revealed a little-known partnership that had users calling the poster a “hero” for sharing.
A man took to Reddit to share a receipt from a 7-Eleven in Victoria showing a $3 discount on a 50-litre diesel fill-up.
While the user described the $2.53-per-litre price as a “rip off,” they managed to reduce it slightly using the Wilson Parking app.
“Given fuel prices are so high, maybe this can benefit you,” the user wrote. “Every [bit] can help.”
While the poster noted that 7-Eleven’s famous ‘Fuel Price Lock’ is already well-known, the Wilson discount is the perfect backup “if your 7-Eleven is already the cheapest around (and rendering your price lock redundant)”.
All you need to do is have the parking company’s app and activate the fuel discount voucher in the ‘Perks’ section.
However, you can’t use the fuel lock and Wilson discount at the same time.
The tip was met with instant praise from struggling drivers.
“The hero we need!” one person replied.
“Didn’t know this, thanks,” another added.
Other tips
The post sparked a huge thread of Aussies sharing their secret weapons for dodging rising prices.
One of the most popular strategies involved a “buy now, save later” approach via ShopBack.
“I figured it’s a good time to buy servo vouchers through ShopBack,” one user shared. “Earn $6 back off a $100 Ampol voucher, and then at least it’s sitting there for when I inevitably run out of fuel and money at the same time”.
The Ampol gift card works with ShopBack like a prepaid digital voucher, offering cash back on purchases, usually within 48 hours of the transaction.
Others are turning to their banks and toll accounts for relief.
NAB customers can currently find a 10-cent/litre discount at 7-Eleven in the ‘Goodies’ section of their app.
“You don’t even need to use your NAB card to pay,” a user pointed out.
Meanwhile, those with a Linkt account for tolls can get two 6-cent/litre coupons per day at 7-Eleven.
Experts warn of growing financial stress
Experts suggest that the surge in prices is becoming a primary source of financial instability for commuters.
According to data from Finder, 13 per cent of Australians – roughly 2.8 million people – now rank petrol among their top three most stressful expenses.
The pressure comes amid research showing that 41 per cent of Australians have less than $1000 in the bank, with a staggering 73 per cent of Aussies saying they are either somewhat or extremely stressed about their current financial situation.
Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, told news.com.au that the speed of the current price hikes has left many drivers in a state of “absolute shock”.
“Soaring fuel prices have really taken Australians by surprise,” Megginson tells news.com.au. “I was really lucky to fill up at $1.59 days before the conflict in Iran began, and by the time I refilled this week, I paid $2.38. That’s a 50 per cent increase practically overnight,” Megginson said.
“But there are a few things you can do to take the sting out.”
“You can use fuel price comparison apps before you fill up,” she explained.
“Apps like FuelCheck NSW, PetrolSpy and RACQ’s Fair Fuel Price finder show real-time prices at nearby petrol stations … You can save around $20 a tank with almost no effort.”
She also endorses stacking discounts with supermarket and loyalty apps.
“Digital wallets and supermarket apps like Woolworths Everyday Rewards and Flybuys give discounts of 4c per litre, which doesn’t sound life-changing, but that money is better off in your pockets than theirs,” she said.
Meanwhile, financial educator and author of Money School, Lacey Filipich, said it’s time to start thinking long-term.
“Can you reduce your reliance on petrol vehicles so this kind of shock doesn’t catch you out again?” she asks, speaking to news.com.au.
“An electric vehicle might be on the wish list (it’s on mine!), but options like public transport and cycling are available today. I’ve personally been catching the bus and train a lot more this last fortnight.”
Filipich also urges anyone who feels like petrol prices are the final straw to call a financial counsellor.
“You can call the National Debt Helpline, or look up a local one on NDH’s site and make an appointment,” she suggests.
Financial counsellors are free, available to all Australians, and can help you get on top of debt and sort out budgeting.
She says that during periods of global and financial turmoil, our mental bandwidth is significantly stretched – a state formally known as “reduced cognitive capacity”.
According to research she cites, the stress of these situations can impair decision-making as severely as losing 13 IQ points, making it important to seek external help.
Extracted in full from: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/the-littleknown-fuel-hacks-australians-are-using-to-fight-record-petrol-prices/news-story/1f618e4ab9cf7dfd9097c2a0d6cd07d9
