Most of us rely on a car to go about our lives, yet buying and maintaining a car can be expensive. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way, there are lots of ways you can look at reducing your car expenses, so let’s take a look.
- Compare insurance deals
Before you renew your car insurance package, consider shopping around, and comparing a few deals. Make sure that you take advantage of any discounts that you qualify for. Whether it’s accident-free discounts or discounts for drivers who’ve completed a defensive driving course. Some insurance providers also offer ‘anti-theft’ packages, if your vehicle has the right security protection. There are plenty of different ways to save money on your car expenses.
- Green driving habits
Green driving habits can help you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Here are a few things you can do:
- Use your vehicle less, opt for walking or riding a bike where possible.
- Drive carefully and avoid speeding to reduce your gas consumption.
- Plan out your routes carefully, to avoid excessive mileage.
- Take advantage of ride-sharing apps when and where possible.
3 . Choose the right car
When you’re looking to buy a new car, making the right choice can help you to make substantial savings. First off, choosing a second-hand car instead of a new one is the best way to save money. Second-hand cars are often less expensive to insure, plus you won’t take a hit on the depreciation. If you do choose to buy a new car, consider choosing a slow deprecating vehicle so that you won’t lose money. For an excellent range of vehicles, take a look at car supermarket.
- Consider a Hybrid or EV
To save yourself money and go green, consider purchasing a hybrid or an electric car. Hybrid cars use less fuel, while electric cars produce zero emissions. You’ll save money because you won’t need to pay out for the fuel costs associated with a traditional car. As time goes on, hybrid and electric cars are becoming more and more popular. There are plenty of affordable models to choose from, including many of the leading manufacturers.
- Regular Maintenance
With regular maintenance checks, you can spot small problems early, before they turn into big problems that cost you money! It can be helpful to use car maintenance apps like Car Minder, to stay on top of your maintenance checks. When you maintain your car properly, you’ll avoid depreciation, meaning that you won’t lose as much on the initial value.
With these five tips up your sleeve, you’ll be able to add to your savings each month. It can be helpful to work out a budget for your car expenses, to help you stay on top of things. For the general household budgeting, try checking out apps like Mint or Clarity. With the help of these, it’s easy to save, on everything from your car to your Internet provider.
