There are few things in life as costly as owning a car. To start, they can cost a lot of money to purchase. Then, you have to think about additional costs that carry on while you own the car. It can put a serious burden on your finances. Luckily, there are some ways car owners can save money, and breathe easier:
Buy A Used Car
The easiest way for you to save a huge amount of cash is to buy a used car. Now, some people don’t like this idea because they feel like they’re getting a piece of junk. However, this isn’t the case with cars as many used vehicles are barely a year old. You can pick up some absolute bargains if you look in the right places.
Of course, you want to make sure you’re buying a used car that works and doesn’t have any problems. Otherwise, yes, you will be buying a piece of junk! But, if you view the car and take it for a test drive, you should be able to tell if it’s in good condition or not. Plus, you should always ask for the service history to see if it has any issues. You can pick up a used car for around half the price of a new car that’s the same make and model.
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Get A Hybrid/Drive Economically
People can spend so much money on fuel costs when they buy a car. Every other week you’re filling your tank up with expensive petrol. Okay, sure, fuel prices are low right now, but it’s still costly to fill up your car every couple of weeks, throughout the year. Thankfully, there are a couple of things you can do to save money with regards to fuel. One can be done when you’re buying your car; the other can be done after the purchase. The first thing is to try and buy a hybrid car. Hybrids will use both electric and petrol engines, meaning you don’t use up as much fuel. In turn, you fill up your car less and save money on petrol.
Understandably, it might not be possible for you to buy a hybrid. They cost a little more, and not all cars have hybrid engines. So, if you can’t get one, then you can save money by driving more economically. This means you drive to try and conserve as much fuel as possible. You’ll be amazed at how much fuel you can save by making just a few simple changes to your daily driving.
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Stock Up On Tyres
It amazes me how much people will spend on tyres for their car. This is normally down to one or two things. Firstly, they overspend on big brands when there are cheaper options available that offer the same quality tyre. I see this all the time with car owners that try and upgrade their vehicle. They spend loads on expensive tyres, even though there are cheaper and more cost effective options out there. Being smart with your tyre choice can save you lots of money.
Secondly, they don’t stock up on tyres and get them when needed, which usually costs more money. If you buy a lot of tyres in bulk, the costs can be less than if you bought the same amount of tyres throughout the course of the year. You can buy online tyres as well, and get loads delivered to your house, so there’s no excuse. The thing is, there will come a time when you need to change tyres, they won’t last forever. So, if you have the option to save money and stock up on some, why wouldn’t you? Plus, you’ll have lots of spare tyres, so can keep one in your boot in case of emergencies too.
Wash Your Own Car
My final tip is so simple, and can save lots of money over time. The majority of car owners will go to a car wash when their vehicle is dirty. They’ll pay money and get their car cleaned; it’s quick and effective. However, there’s no reason for you to do this. Why spend money on a car wash when you can do it yourself? Just get a bucket of soapy water and a sponge and you can clean your car without having to pay a penny.
Owning a car isn’t cheap, you spend money when you buy it, and then have the running costs. With my advice, you’ll soon be saving money and finding it easier to be a car owner.