Just a few weeks ago, around the long weekend, we saw a rise in petrol prices. They have stayed high and the NRMA is tipping the average price for regular unleaded could soon be $1.68.

That’s the “average price” – many people are already seeing prices above that now across the state.​

For families at this time of news, that is horrendous news. And as much as our Federal government wants to rave about the state of the economy and tax cuts, the average Australian would counter with power and petrol prices.

It’s the classic “giveth in one hand and taketh with the other”.

There is little the average consumer can do in this circumstance other than shop around and fill up now.

For many families, filling up the vehicle or vehicles is the biggest weekly expense they face.

The NRMA and NSW government have fuel apps where you can search for the cheapest prices, but that is often not practical or convenient.

The worst thing is the NRMA is predicting there is “no relief in sight”.

(And if you thought you’d just stay home and have a few beverages when the Christmas break rolls around because it’s too expensive to drive anywhere, think again – the price of alcohol is set to increase as well, along with most other things Australians hold dear.)

About 17 million road trips are predicted to occur across the country this Christmas season, so of course petrol companies have no issue hiking up the prices.

Even some service station owners across NSW struggle to understand the reasoning behind the increased prices.

Arguably, something as essential as petrol is never too expensive when your job, social life or family’s movements depend on it, but it’s the deliberate price increases that hurt the most, even though we are told there are a lot of mitigating factors that contribute to the prices.

It’s hard to take at any time of year, but especially in the run into Christmas.

We can only hope that instead of a lump of coal, Santa leaves us a tinnie of petrol instead.