Having a car means something different to every driver. For some it means freedom, for others it means independence, but for many, it means shelling out a lot of cash. When you take a look at your budget for the week, month, or even year, it becomes incredibly clear just how much money a car can cost you. In fact, more often than not, they’re one of the biggest household expenses, coming second only to rent or mortgage payments. It’s this cost that’s causing more and more people to ditch their cars for alternative transportation, but, if this isn’t something you can do, then you need to find ways to save money. Here are nine ways you can cut motoring costs.
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Shop With Respectable Dealerships
Your savings can begin from the moment you start looking for a car, but only if you take your time and shop around. If you buy the first car you see from the first dealership you come across, then, chances are, you’re going to get ripped off. It’s vital that you do your research and ensure that you shop with a respectable and well-known business. You can speak to friends and family to ask for their recommendations, as well as look at reviews and feedback from other customers.
Make Sure You’re Covered
Car insurance can be incredibly costly, and, unless you get yourself into a huge car accident, it can seem completely useless. However, that doesn’t mean that you can eliminate this cost. After all, it’s illegal to drive without cover. It’s also important to remember that, although you haven’t got into an accident yet, you could at some point, and you’re going to need your insurance to handle the associated costs. Without it, you could end up using your savings or getting into debt.
Pay For Insurance Annually
Although you can’t live without car insurance, it is possible to get it a little cheaper. One of the best ways to do this is to pay it annually instead of monthly. This means that you won’t have to pay interest, and, as such, will save a lot of money over the course of a year. The same idea also works for your car tax. Of course, it isn’t always possible to pay out a big lump sum this way, but, if you have the money available, then you should certainly consider it.
Shop Around For Fuel
When most people think of the costs associated with cars, their minds immediately go to fuel. After all, your car can’t run without it. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to save money on your gas. One of the easiest and most obvious is shopping around. Garages just a few minutes away from one another can have hugely varying prices for fuel, so it makes sense to get to know all of the ones in your local area. You should also find out if any have loyalty cards you could use.
Don’t Overestimate Your Mileage
When you buy your car insurance, you usually have to give an estimate of how many miles you’re going to drive in a year. Before you put down any old number, consider how much you’ve driven over the last year and try to come up with a figure that’s a little more accurate. Wildly overestimating can cost you a lot of money, so it pays to take a few minutes to think. Once you’ve picked a figure, you should ensure you stick to it, or you might have to face a fee.
Ensure You Drive Safely
No one should ever drive dangerously on the road, but, if you want to save cash, then being safe is more important than ever. After all, repairs, court costs, and insurance premiums aren’t cheap. That being said, you can’t control the actions of other drivers, so, if you get into a crash that wasn’t your fault, you should ensure you contact car accident lawyers. This way, you can get compensation for any injuries and other costs that occurred due to the accident.
Wash The Car Yourself
As lovely as it is having someone else wash your car for you, if you’re trying to save money, then you can’t really justify the cost. Even a cheaper cleaning company can cost you hundreds over the course of a year, so it makes much more sense to do the job yourself. All you really need is a bucket of soapy water, a few sponges, and some elbow grease. To make the task a little more fun, you could get the entire family involved, giving each of your children a job of their own to do.
Use A Professional Mechanic
When your car needs repair, it’s important that you really think about your strengths and knowledge before you attempt the task yourself. Of course, if you do everything right, then you could save yourself money, but, if you don’t, then you could make matters even worse. If you’re unsure, it’s much better that you leave the job to someone who knows what they’re doing. This ensures that the job gets done properly, saving you from any unnecessary added costs
Find A Travel Companion
Driving to work alone every single day can be incredibly boring, but it also costs you a lot of unnecessary money. After all, you’re paying to fuel and insure an entire car that only has you inside it. Because of this, it makes sense to speak to colleagues that live near you and see if any of them need a life. This way, you can split fuel and insurance costs, saving you both money. This is also much better for the environment, as it means there’s one less car on the road.
When it comes to transportation, cars are one of the most convenient out there, but, unfortunately, this comes with a cost. If you’re looking to cut your motoring costs and save money, then consider the nine tips listed above.
