'Petrol prices are bonkers, so here's how I'm tightening my purse strings'

When I was at uni, I would push my little purple Daihatsu Charade (nicknamed the 'Ribena Berry') to the very last kilometre before baulking at the $20 to fill her up.

Now I can't remember a time when fuel was under a $1 a litre.?So even though my car is now a forgettable and nameless Hyundai, I don't get much change from $100 to fill it up.

I'm not alone �C the average weekly fuel cost for Australian motorists has hit $100, after rising an extra $5 a week over the course of the past three months.

Like many Aussies, Shelly Horton is taking steps to tighten her purse strings as the cost of living increases. (Instagram/Shelly Horton)

As September looms, Albo doesn't look like he'll budge when it comes to taking back the 25c-a-litre petrol tax relief, so those little magic numbers at the servo will soar beyond $2 a litre again.?

Here are some things I'm doing to tighten the purse strings at the shops and with the car:

1. Fill up when it's cheap

Forget waiting until the red fuel light comes on �C I've started filling up whenever I see petrol under $1.60 a litre. It's a pain in the arse but it's saving me money rather than filling up where it's convenient.

2. Shop at Woolies? Bundle your insurance

Did you even know Woolworths does pet insurance? Neither did I.

Shelly Horton in bed with her dogs — Shelly with her dogs, Mr Barkley and Bella. (Supplied)

Besides offering competitive cover for your furkids, signing up will gift you an instant 10 per cent off your shop every month.?

We signed up to cover Mr Barkley and Bella, and now I plan a big monthly shop (you know, when you run out of staples like peanut butter, shampoo and washing pods) which can be $450.?That's $45 saved right there!?

3. Take your time and compare

My husband used to grab whatever 12-pack of large free-range eggs he spotted first before I opened his eyes to the cheaper option sitting right beside it. It offered a saving of a whole dollar.

Spending a bit of time comparing options, particularly on things like free-range eggs, which all taste exactly the goddamn same, pays off. Look closely at paper towels, toilet paper and sandwich bags, too.

"Forget waiting until the red fuel light comes on �C I've started filling up whenever I see petrol under $1.60 a litre." (Drive)

4. Don't drive like a fool

My mechanic gave me this next bit of advice: "Just be a better driver already."

Don't speed, because fuel consumption goes bananas once you hit the 90km per hour mark. Keep your tyres inflated because undercooked wheels will stir up drag, which is basically wind resistance making your car work extra hard. Don't accelerate off a set of traffic lights because you want the head start on the car beside you �C you're burning cash, and everyone hates you especially if your car is loud.

5. Always check ALDI!

I don't do much shopping there, but in signing up to its weekly specials email I discovered my favourite body wash was almost half the price in ALDI.

The supermarket is famed for its budget-friendly products and for good reason, so when you're after bigger-ticket items you'd normally drop up to $15 on, pop in one day and suss out their price tags.?

WATCH: The subtle tricks supermarkets use to get you to spend more �C and how to sidestep them. (Post continues.)

6. Download NSW FuelCheck if you're in NSW?

It's government-run and completely transparent on fuel pricing due to mandatory reporting laws. We were addicted to it when we lived in Sydney.

If you're anywhere else, thank Choice for doing the legwork for you and download either Petrol Spy Australia or GasBuddy �C both rely on data that's provided manually, but are known to be fairly spot-on, so Choice rates them big-time.?

7. If you're easily tempted, shop with your partner

Like a gym buddy, a shopping buddy �C especially one who's footing your bill, too �C is going to rein you right back in when Arnott's releases a weird new Shapes flavour you have to have right now. (You don't.)

You're a marketer's dream, and I feel you, but let your partner hold you accountable so your money can go towards even bigger dreams.

Shelly Horton with her husband, Darren. — "Like a gym buddy, a shopping buddy is going to rein you right back in." (Supplied)

8. Switch off the air conditioning

Sounds like Captain Obvious, but avoid using the aircon unless it's actually hot (apparently it pushes your fuel use up by 20 per cent) and get rid of heavy things in your boot and roof racks if you're not using them �C they use extra muscle, too.

9. Buy in bulk

I felt like a COVID hoarder, but I now but my toilet paper in 24-roll packs and there are only two of us. Plus, last week lamb shanks were on special, so my hubby bought eight and cooked them all up and froze them. Delicious and an easy weeknight meal done.?

10.? Walk when you can

I work out of my home office, and when I do need to meet a client the Gold Coast is pretty small so I'm never in my car for very long. But if I were still in Sydney, I'd also be taking a good, hard look at my daily commute.

Using your car even one day less per week is going to push that tank significantly further. Walk whenever you can. While these bonkers prices linger, take advantage of some incidental exercise and get fit while you save.

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