It’s one of daily life’s more troublesome dichotomies. That the freedom afforded to you on four wheels is one so many of us struggle to afford. Costs can mount up, crazily, and suddenly the dream of the open road becomes something of a nightmare. Fortunately, for those with the willpower, there are ways and means to help your motoring make ends meet. These are those; our 5 IDEAL money saving tips for motorists.
WALK THE WALK
Auto pilot is a dangerous thing. As any driver will know, it’s all too easy to sink into the habitual, to simply grab the keys and jump in the car when you need to go anywhere, whether that’s a quick trip to the local Spar or a gym journey which shouldn’t need to burn fuel. That trip also burns money. Next time, think about whether you really need to drive and whether you could walk or cycle instead. In addition to lowering fuel costs, you’ll be doing your health some good and most importantly, being that little bit kinder to the environment.
SWITCH TO AN ELECTRIC CAR
Whether you call it climate change or crisis, global warming or heating, the facts are inescapable; we need to do all we can to arrest the terrifying damage human activity has wreaked on the planet. One way to do this is by switching to an electric car. The added bonus of this is a reduction in road-based spending. Although they can cost more money upfront, you could make significant savings in the long run as you do not have to worry about fuel and road tax. The proposed 2040 ban on petrol and diesel also means that it is only a matter of time before you need to make the switch, so stay ahead of the pack and get in there early. That’s if the earth even lives to see 2040.
LEASE IT
Let’s cut to the chase. Leasing a vehicle instead of purchasing outright often works out cheaper, and you also don’t need to worry about depreciation, which can cost a significant amount, so it is a smart financial move to make. Again, it’s also kinder to the environment, as you won’t be running a car every single day, rather as and when you need it. What’s more, you can get approved for personal car hire deals even if you have bad credit as there are companies that offer no credit car finance for affordable prices. Excellent news for those needing to make the odd, valuable journey.
LOOK INTO LOWERING YOUR INSURANCE
Insurance is a legal requirement, and that’s the long and short of it. No excuses, no get-out-clauses, it just has to be done. However, it’s also one of the most expensive aspects of owning a car. Fortunately, there are a handful of ways that you can lower your insurance premium, which could help you to make big savings in the long run. You can lower your insurance by:
- Keeping it parked securely
- Adding security features
- Reducing annual mileage
- Telematics
- Increasing your excess
- Adding a named driver
Check out our article on more ways to lower your insurance premiums here.
CLEVER COVERAGE
In addition to your car insurance, you should also make sure that you have adequate protection in place in case something were to happen – to you or your car. An extended warranty if the manufacturer warranty has expired will protect you against the costs of mechanical or electrical faults which can occur at any point in the car’s lifetime. GAP insurance is also a smart purchase as this will cover any shortfall between your insurer’s payout and the amount originally paid in the event of a write off (insurers only pay the current market value). Essentially, a little financial foresight is a savvy way to reduce potential costs in the future.