More often than not, a car is an essential part of being a parent – and an expensive one at that. Running your car more efficiently and finding alternative solutions wherever possible helps to cut down the costs of owning a car without giving up the convenience it provides. Having previously looked at ways of saving money at home, here are some tips on how I save money on running my own car.
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Save on fuel
When it comes to driving, one of the biggest expenses is fuel, so it’s important to get as much mileage per gallon as possible. Driving at a steady speed rather than rapidly accelerating and harshly braking avoids wasting petrol, as does turning off the engine if you are parked and waiting. Additionally, fuel efficiency typically decreases over speeds of 50mph, so setting this as the limit on your cruise control can help to reduce how often you need to fill up.
DIY maintenance
Car repairs and maintenance can also be extremely costly, so it pays to do the smaller jobs yourself wherever possible. As front tyres wear more quickly than rear tyres, rotating them ensures that both sets wear evenly, which is cheaper than prematurely replacing them. Replacing the air filter is also another way to improve fuel economy and only takes a few minutes, making considerable savings on labour costs. Replacement car parts can easily be ordered online from sites such as Mister Auto, and all the information about your car can be found in the owner’s manual.
Find alternatives
As well as driving more efficiently, using the car less is the most effective way to reduce driving costs. If your children do any after school activities, try to find clubs within walking distance, or places that are easily accessible by public transport. Alternatively, if you live in a fairly quiet area, cycling as a family is another fun way to save on fuel costs.
Car sharing
If it’s not possible to find clubs in the local area, car-sharing with other parents is another way of saving money as well as freeing up some extra time, and the same applies to getting the kids to school. If some of your children’s classmates live nearby, try and work out a rota whereby you take it in turns to do the school run at least a few days a week, reducing unnecessary petrol costs.
Cheaper insurance
On top of fuel and maintenance, car insurance is one of the biggest expenses of running a car. Instead of renewing with the same provider each year, you can make considerable savings by shopping around and getting quotes online. Online comparison sites make it easy to see which companies offer the best deals, and you may also be able to make some savings by taking out home and car insurance together. More tips for saving money on your car insurance can be found here.
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