Petrol hike: When the going gets tough …
Did you know with yesterday's fuel hike we are paying up to R40,20 (petrol) and R26,40 (diesel) more per tank? Here's what to do now ...
Is the fuel hike pouring fuel on your fire while you’re already barely scraping by?
South Africa has fallen on tough economic times, that’s for sure, said DebtSafe – a registered debt counsellor – and experts predict that fuel hikes might worsen in the months to come.
The important question you have to ask yourself is: What to do now?
Matthys Potgieter, spokesperson and debt expert at DebtSafe said, “When the going gets tough, you need to get going.” But how do you do that exactly? “You need to get some perspective – improve your budget and plan better.”
Assuming the average fuel tank for consumers is between 40 to 60 litres, with the increase of 44 cents a litre for diesel and 67 cents for petrol, diesel users can pay up to R26,40 more per tank while petrol users can pay up to a nail-biting R40,20 extra.
This is where planning comes in. You have to add extra money for your monthly fuel usage this month as well as the upcoming months. And you have to also take into account that a fuel hike has an influence on your private and public transport. Think about the direct line of people it affects: individuals that work for you and family members (students for example) that need to use a vehicle or other form of transportation.
DebtSafe asked a few workers about transport costs and discovered they already pay up to R2 000 a month for public transport trips (depending on whether it’s a direct trip or not). The fuel hike basically has an effect on everybody and other things like food prices as well.
“Plus, low-income groups are affected by the increase in the paraffin price,” added Potgieter.
The most important thing you can do to keep your budget intact is to cut back on the nice to haves. A quick evening out can easily cost you R200 (per person) – which could cover the increase for a few tanks of fuel.
Here are other tips to consider:
• If you have to drive a long distance to go to work, join a lift club – it will save you extra money as everybody clubs together to pay the fuel.
• If you have to travel during the coming holidays and friends or family members are also driving from your area to the same destination, drive together in two cars instead of three, for example.
• Avoid toll routes where possible and take alternative roads instead.
• Make use of your rewards systems (if you have any) to fuel your car.
• Make use of convenient phone apps like fuellog or fillapp to regulate your fuel usage as well as saving money by knowing when to fill your tank.
• Remember diesel is not regulated, so if you need to fill your tank with diesel, have a bit of patience and do your homework on which fuel stations to use, beforehand.
• Check your tyre pressure regularly to improve fuel efficiency.
Maybe you should sweat the small stuff by getting some action steps in place, as teeny habits do make a difference. You’ll make the big things (like fuel hikes) seem a little less scary for yourself. Although the fuel hike is a huge blow for your pocket, you don’t have to throw in the towel – get going.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
