Most families own at least one car and while it has truly become one of the necessities of the modern life, it can also become quite a financial burden, especially if we are talking more than one car. The good news is that a huge chunk of money we spend on our cars is more or less wasted on things that no one needs and that most of us can make huge savings on. But, how exactly do we do this?
We Buy Smartly
The largest portion of the money we spend on our cars is the price we pay when we buy them. Depending on what kind of a car you are buying, you will be presented with a variety of ways in which you can save money. For example, if you prefer to buy used, there are always places where you can get better prices and little purchasing tricks to save you some money. If you are purchasing new cars, it is also essential that you know how to find a good dealership and how to negotiate good deals. Furthermore, you have to be a bit flexible and imaginative with your payment options, always ensuring that you are not wasting too much over a long period of time.
Drive Responsibly
If there is one ultimate way to save money on your car, it is by employing responsible driving habits. The reason why this is so important is that this saves you money on two fronts.
First of all, by driving responsibly and not getting into any troubles with the law ensures that you do not pay high premiums on your auto insurance which is often a big item on the car budget. Insurance companies love people who drive safe and who never pay tickets of any kind.
Another reason why you will want to drive responsibly is that responsible driving also ensures that the car is not getting pummeled on the roads every day. In other words, you are not putting so much strain on a car and it is far less likely to require repairs if you take it easy.
Do Regular Maintenance
When we are on the subject of repairs, another way to avoid them and save money that way is to do regular maintenance on your vehicle.
If you purchase a new car, your dealer will provide you with a book that will spell out all the regular checkups that you have to take your car in for and you will do well to adhere to these. You will also be looking to do some basic checkups on your own, regardless of what is recommended.
For example, you will want to do regular oil checkups, as well as making sure that other fluids (braking fluid, antifreeze, etc.) are always replenished. You should also take a good care of your tires and make sure they are always properly inflated and not worn out. You should make sure that your battery is in a good state and that your brakes are working properly at all times.
Of course, regular checkups at the mechanic are also a must.
Use Quality Parts (but don’t overpay)
One of the biggest mistakes that people make with their cars is that they do not know which parts are good and where to get them. For instance, some people let their dealerships take care of the majority of their repairs, including getting the parts. This is the opportunity for dealerships to overcharge and they take it very gladly. Other people go the other way and they get super cheap parts that are never a good idea.
You have to know which parts are great and where to get them. For instance, everyone knows that Castrol fluids are the best, but people let their dealerships work them over instead of getting them online from reputable online sellers.
In the end it is all about being smart.