Guys, sorry to say, but it's just something you are going to have to deal with.
Start with what you already have. You can increase your km per tank by changing your driving style to a more sedate one, removing all extra weight and kepping things like alingment and a slightly higher than factory specified tyre pressure in check. Got roof racks that get used once in a blue moon? remove them. Buy petrol Tue evening or Wed morning before the weekly price hike of 10c/L.
This alone can get you an extra 15-20% distance for $ spent.
Having a second economical car is not an option to be honest. Running costs are far more than just petrol in the tank. A cheap scooter will still end up costing you around $50 a week, so a cheapish yet reliable second hand car would be around $100-120 a week at least. So unless you do 1000km a week it's not worth getting a second car.
Public transport is shite house, but for me it's actually cheaper to drive the car to work than catch the train. Driving also saves around 40 minutes a day travel time. Our decision makers should see how some other countries implement and use mass rapid transport... what we have on offer is shameful to say the least.
Just take the extra money needed from somewhere else? 2 less drinks at the pub a week, 1 less night out on the town a month, 1 extra family meal cooked at home every week?
If selling your big 6 is on the cards, do it now, not when prices are $2 a litre and every man and his dog are trying to offload their large cars.
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