Cars are necessary in today’s world, but that doesn’t mean they must eat up a huge chunk of your budget. Cutting down on car costs such as finding the least expensive fuel, not driving aggressively, looking into car insurance discounts and getting cheap auto insurance to cover your needs are all ways to reasonably cut costs and keep money in your pocket. Let’s look at other savvy ways to get you on the road in an affordable fashion.
Discover Ways to Lower Your Insurance. First, check with your insurance provider to see if any discounts exist that can save you money. There are discounts you may be able to take advantage of that will shave money off of your premiums such as taking a defensive driving course, obtaining a good student discount, driver behavior discounts and more. You can also shop around for cheap auto insurance to save money now and in the long run.
Keep Up with Maintenance. Ignoring problems with your car won’t make them go away. It will only create a bigger problem that is likely to cost you more money and more inconvenience. Regardless of how old your car is keep up with the regular maintenance as outlined by the manufacturer. Prolonging the life of the vehicle – and keeping issues at bay – lies largely with replacing parts and keeping fluids topped off and cleaned as needed.
Find a Good Mechanic You can Trust. Finding a trusted mechanic can help ease your mind with regards to fixes being done right, and the cost. Ask people in your area about who they trust most with their vehicle, and then find out for yourself. You might have to “check out” a few mechanics in town before you feel exceptionally comfortable with one of them. But, once they know you and your car, they’ll be able to help you more efficiently.
Do Some Maintenance Yourself. Taking care of a vehicle doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Sure, there are some things that need to be done by a licensed mechanic, but there are plenty of opportunities for the layperson to get their hands dirty. Consider doing these things yourself:
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- Changing the oil
- Inflating the tires and checking their pressure
- Changing fuses
- Changing out blown lights
- Changing wiper blades and fluid
- Topping off fluids
If you really like working on the car, watch YouTube videos to figure out some of the more complex things you can do yourself, and try it out. With a little bit of knowledge and determination, there is plenty of maintenance you can perform on your car without a lift.
Carpool. Do you live nearby the people you work or go to school with? Are you close enough with the neighbors to set a regular grocery store schedule and catch (or give) a ride with them? If you have a trip coming up and you don’t mind the company, consider finding a passenger (or driver) to share the miles and the costs.
Be Efficient with Your Stops. Try to make all of your stops in one day, when you go to the bank, super market, to get gas, etc. The more ground you cover, the less you’ll spend on gas and the less strain you’ll be putting on the car with extra miles and extra starts and stops if you spread those stops out over several days.
Don’t Speed. Not only is speeding dangerous it also strains your vehicle. Rapidly accelerating and sustaining speeds that are over the speed limit wastes gas and of course, your money. Instead, start and slow down more gently, avoid driving aggressively and don’t speed. You’ll notice a marked difference in how much it costs to fill your tank.
Refinance Your Loan. If you have a loan on your car it’s possible to refinance the loan at a better rate. Contact your lender over the phone or internet to see if they have any refinancing options. Or, you might be able to find another lender who is willing to give you a loan at a lower interest rate.
Sell One of Your Cars. Many families have more than one car, but if you find that your second (or third) car sits in the driveway more often than not, perhaps it is time to sell. It’s not only taking up space but you’re also paying insurance on it and maybe even making payments. You can sell it privately to a new owner or use one of the many cash for car companies to try and get your best deal.
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While cars are necessary it doesn’t mean they have to drain the bank account. There are plenty of steps you can take and changes you can make to optimize your cash flow and still be happy with your car’s performance.
