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7 Tips for Saving Money on Car Expenses

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Photo: CheapFullCoverageAutoInsurance.com

The memory of buying your first car is unforgettable. You probably remember every detail about the day you got your first car keys: The amazing and ultimate step of experiencing adulthood.

However, that quickly changes after a few weeks. The freedom of blasting music with your friends slowly stops. The flexibility you thought you’ll have also goes out the window.

Soon, you start to see all the expenses that go with owning and maintaining a car. Saving on car expenses can get real tough real soon if you’re not being careful.

These seven tips will help you save money and have fun while owning a car.

1. Buy a used car

Buying a used car could be a better move for you than buying a new car. When you buy a new car, its value decreases immediately by almost 10-20 percent. Some people also claim that the newness of a car wears off very quickly.

Buying a new car could be a bigger money waster than buying a used one. The depreciation is already there, so the price is lower.

2. Get it repaired

Once you’ve bought your car, you need to make sure you take care of it. Taking your car in for routine maintenance can seem costly and takes time, but doing so will prolong the life of your car and keep it in better health.

Failure to stick to your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule can end up costing you more money in the long run. Regular service trips can prevent potential issues from getting worse, so you can save money and avoid being stranded with a broken-down car.

You can always customize your car’s rims, lights, and even the audio system with some money saving deals.

3. Speed isn’t everything

Getting your first car is pretty exciting, and you might be tempted to speed in order to see what your new ride can do. However, it’s important to remember that speeding is dangerous. Not only do you put your own life at risk, but others’ as well.

Speeding could also land you with a ticket. That’s another cost you don’t need to add to your list.

So, be smart and do the right thing. Obey the speed limits and save yourself from paying a fine you can avoid easily.

4. Insurance options

When it comes to getting insurance for your car, there are multiple factors that can let you change the rate you pay. What you have the most control over is the deductible.

When you’re looking for the best option, compare the rates. Check if the deductible and see if the rate you’ll be paying works in your favor or not.

Sometimes it doesn’t make sense for you to go through your insurance for a minor issue. Letting your insurance paying for the issue might make your premiums go up.

You can get a safe driver discount by following traffic rules and having a clean driving record. The higher your discount, the more money you save.

5. Good driving habits

Just buying a car is not enough; you have to have good driving skills and habits as well. A wasteful driving habit can put a strain on your fuel consumption.

Go easy on the brakes when you come up to a traffic stop. It takes 20-30 percent more gas to accelerate to normal speed from a full stop.

Maintain a steady speed and you’ll find yourself saving at the gas pump. Also, don’t accelerate if you’re in an empty road. Anything can happen at any given time, and it’s always smart to be careful.

6. Save on driving expenses

There are several ways to save money on driving expenses. One of them is carpooling. Just by sharing the drive with one or two people you can save a lot on gas, maintenance costs, and also on wear and tear.

Another benefit is that is carpooling reduces the annual mileage on your car. Not only does this reduce your risk of having accidents, but your insurance company charges you less for your coverage as well.

All you have to do is update your insurance company about the average miles you drive to get additional savings.

7. Find a good mechanic

Finding a good mechanic can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. You can make the mistake of going to a mechanic you know nothing about. At the end of the day, they’ll hand you a bill you’ll be too confused to make sense out of.

However, there’s always that one person in your family, or friend circle, or around your workplace who can refer you to a mechanic that changed their lives. Make sure you ask around and take second opinions into consideration.

The road to finding a good mechanic can be hard, but it’ll be totally worth it once you do. They can help you to save costs and give you tips on how to keep your car in good condition without wasting a lot of money.

Author Bio:
Meet Ford – a content contributor at YesWeCoupon! Making your lives easier with tips, tricks, and hacks since 2010.