It’s a good thing to budget your money for buying a new car. Your monthly budget can help you to make wise car-buying decisions without going overboard. Most people have a budget and stick to it. When you make a budget, you don’t have to live off of that budget. You can change it when necessary. For those who have budgeted their money and aren’t living below them, they are certainly in the minority.
Budgeting
For those who are serious about buying a car and sticking to their automotive budget, it’s important to be honest with themselves and with their lender or bank manager. If you are looking to buy a new car, here is how to keep your expenses on track and in line. Make sure you are budgeting enough money each month for all expenses. Your automotive budget should include fuel, repairs, insurance, registration fees, inspections, maintenance, and a fund for any other miscellaneous costs that might pop up.
Save Before You Buy
If you are planning to buy, or lease a new car, it is important that you save up for a down-payment ahead of time. Interest rates on purchase loans, and to an even greater extent leasing options are all variable based on the amount of money that you bring to the table. Start by reviewing your household budget. Look for savings at every turn. Even small savings on recurring expenses can add up quickly. If you are lucky enough to live in a state that gives you the ability to choose your energy providers, you can probably even save some money on your utility rates. Review the amount you are spending on such things as travel, clothing and eating out. These are places where you may be able to make significant monthly spending cuts without changing your lifestyle.
Pay Your Car off Early
Every month, add twenty dollars to your monthly car payment. If your car is financed, your lender will require you to pay down the principal by the end of the term. These payments will reduce the amount of savings that you can begin to build.Add another to a savings account for the cost of insurance. You can often get better rates by paying you insurance annually, or semi annually. If you save up monthly, you can easily take advantage of these savings. The same with your property taxes and inspection fees. Divide the annual amounts by 12, and contribute that amount annually to a different savings plan. If you drive a used car, or one that is out of warranty, it is especially important to budget for repairs.
One way to save money on your insurance expenses is to increase your deductible and your interest rate at the same time. When you have an affordable payment, your monthly car budget can be greatly increased. Most people agree that they like to drive new cars and purchase them every six months. However, if you spend your savings on routine maintenance and repairs on a car that needs an oil change or spark plugs every three thousand miles, you will begin to see significant savings within just a few years.
If you take advantage of these savings, you will have extra cash for items such as entertainment systems, clothing, and vacations.
Leasing Options
In addition to building savings by buying your next car at a reputable dealership, another way to save on your monthly expenses is to lease. When you lease a vehicle, you often receive significant discounts on your monthly outlay. If you are planning on leasing a vehicle for five years or more, your savings will be substantial. Many auto lease agreements provide generous financing options, which can make your monthly payments much lower than they would be if you purchased your vehicle from a dealer or a used car lot.
Credit Score
Your credit score is a major factor in deciding when and where you purchase your next car. Many people today find it difficult to purchase a new car because of their credit scores. If you want to purchase your next car without paying a large amount of interest, you should contact a loan lender to obtain a pre-approved or guaranteed loan. Interest rates today are very low and many people are unable to obtain a loan interest rate that they can qualify for. In order to improve their credit score, many people consult a loan expert who can help them establish a plan for improving their credit score.
