With gas prices rising, everyone has realized how much our lifestyles and economic activities depend on vehicles. In many places, it’s almost impossible to imagine living without a car. At the same time, people who are dependent on cars see their expenses rising with each passing day.
Whether you use your vehicle for doing business, commuting to work, or running errands, you may be interested to know how to keep your costs down. Cutting your car expenses means you’ll have more money to spend on other important things.
Here are three money-saving tips for car owners.
Prepare for Potential Breakdowns
The most significant car expenses are associated with repairs and maintenance. New parts or systems can cost thousands of dollars. This is especially worrying if you have a luxury vehicle. Unfortunately, just because a car is new, it doesn’t mean it cannot break down.
Car manufacturers are aware of this issue, which is why they offer factory warranties. Once the factory warranty expires, car owners must pay for repairs out of pocket.
How do you minimize the financial impact of a mechanical breakdown once you’re no longer covered by the factory warranty? Having an emergency fund for repairs is a good idea.
However, the best overall strategy is to get an extended warranty, which offers protection for many more years and miles beyond the factory warranty. Do you own a Lexus? Read more about the Lexus extended warranty to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
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Save Money at the Gas Pump
Saving money at the gas pump is an excellent strategy for reducing your overall car expenses. You can save on gas by driving less. However, for many people, this is not an option. Thankfully, there are many ways to save on gas without changing your lifestyle or habits. Does your car have good fuel economy? New car models are designed to run better on less fuel. It may be cheaper to purchase an older vehicle, but you’ll pay more for gas in the long run.
How to save money at the gas pump? A great tip is to use a gas station app that shows you the nearest gas stations sorted by distance and price. Another helpful idea is to check if there’s a price difference between cash and credit card payments. Some gas stations offer a lower price if you pay cash.
Deduct Car Expenses on Your Tax Return
If you’re self-employed or run a business, you probably use your car for various business-related activities. Maybe sometimes you drive to client meetings or carry business materials. If you use your vehicle for business, you may be able to write off car expenses when you calculate your tax deductions.
There are many nuances to consider here. If you use the car for both business and personal purposes, you must split the expenses accordingly. Although doing the accounting can be challenging, writing off at least some of your car expenses is an effective cost-reduction strategy.
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Final Words
Looking at the current economic climate, it’s obvious we’ve entered an era where we need to be more mindful of our expenses. Follow our tips to keep more money in your pocket at the end of the month.
