As modes of transport go, driving is far from the most cost-effective.
Firstly you have to fork out a great deal of money for your car, and then you need to insure it and pay tax.
Once it’s up and running, you have the continual fuel costs to contend with, as well as the inevitable services and repairs.
If you’re looking to save money, you might be better off with a bike and a public transport pass.
However, driving is unavoidable for some people. Particularly if you regularly travel across the country or you live in a rural area.
And the costs rack up over time. But there’s good news.
If you want to stretch your finances a little bit further, there are several ways to reduce your driving expenses.
Through careful planning, sensible driving, and acquiring a few skills, you can learn how to drive on a budget.
Be more fuel-efficient
Fuel is the highest running cost of owning a car. If you have to drive to and from work each day, you could be looking at expenses in the thousands.
But by being smart about the way you drive, you can reduce the amount of fuel you use on any journey.
By driving more fuel-efficiently, you’ll lower your costs, improve road safety, and reduce wear and tear on your car.
Here are a few ways to be more fuel-efficient.
- Accelerate gently
- Maintain a steady speed
- Anticipate traffic
- Don’t speed
- Coast to decelerate rather than braking (if safe to do so)
- Turn your engine off rather than idling in traffic
- Keep your tires inflated to the correct pressure
- Don’t carry unnecessary weight
Find the cheapest fuel
The cost of gas can vary from place to place, so it’s not a good idea to always fuel up at the same spot.
Check out the prices at gas stations in your area while driving and note any significant drops in cost. This would be a good time to refill your tank.
Drive safely
The better you drive, the less you will end up paying.
Getting into an accident will not only endanger yourself and other road users, but it will probably raise your insurance premiums.
Poor driving and inconsiderate parking are also likely to lead to a traffic ticket and a hefty fine.
Drive safely and carefully, and everyone on the road will benefit.
If you receive a traffic ticket for an offense you didn’t commit, you can always contest it using a site such as GetDismissed.
Clean your car yourself
When you can draw pictures in the dust on your car, it’s probably time for a clean. But you can save yourself a few dollars by doing it yourself.
All you need is some water, soap and a sponge. Over time, these savings will add up.
Learn to do repairs
When your car starts to malfunction, your instinct is generally to take it into a mechanic.
But in some cases, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. Don’t be too hasty to spend a lot of money on an easy repair.
Search the issue online, and you might find a YouTube video telling you how to solve it.