How To Make Driving More Affordable For Your Family

 Pexels - CC0 License


It’s true that owning and operating a vehicle, no matter what it is, will come with some cost. You not only need to buy and fuel the car but register it, maintain it, ensure that your insurance and tax is correctly paid, and of course factor in toll roads and parking. Sometimes the check engine light will come on for seemingly no reason at all, and that can be a few hundred down the drain.


But you can of course make driving more affordable for your family. Note that this doesn’t always mean “perfectly cheap.” What is affordable for your family depends on your income and lifestyle standards of course, so for one family condensing into a smaller vehicle like a Hyundai i20 will be a good idea, for others investing in an electric for longer term savings could be enough.


In this post, we’ll go over some of the basic practices that may be most relevant to you. With that in mind, please consider:


Combine Insurance


Many insurers offer multi-car discounts that make it cheaper to cover all vehicles under one policy rather than separate ones. You can also look into bundling your car insurance with other types of insurance too, like home insurance, to save a reasonable amount of money. This also works with your children who may be growing up and learning to drive - putting them on your policy could save a great deal in the long run.


Teach Your Child To Drive (With Some Lessons Peppered In)


If you have a fair few less-traveled roads near your house or open parking lots, you could help teach your teenager to drive and save them some cash, just make sure to be careful and show them how to emergency brake when commanded. That said, it’s a good idea to book a few professional lessons too. Am instructor can teach essential safety techniques and make sure your child is well-prepared for their driving test, so start with that, then pepper in practice with them later on.


Use Fuel Station Loyalty Points


Fuel costs are one of the biggest ongoing expenses for car owners, so it makes sense to take advantage of any savings you can get. Many fuel stations offer loyalty programs that reward you with points every time you fill up, and having the entire family using a card on one station or brand can be a huge benefit. Over time, these points can add up to discounts on fuel or other rewards.


Befriend A Local Mechanic Service You Can Trust


You’re not going to get car work done for free of course, but finding a reliable, honest mechanic is one of the best ways to save money on car maintenance over the long term. A trustworthy local mechanic will provide quality service at a fair price and may help you in some respects, never overly upselling you, or perhaps providing help such as purchasing an older car of yours to use as a practice vehicle for their apprentices. It can’t hurt to make a friend in this business, as those who do often find themselves saving later on.


With these principles, we hope your family can save more money on driving.

No comments