Motoring can be very expensive. Depreciation of your car, riding fuel costs, tax, insurance, maintenance... However, there are many ways in which you can cut driving costs and save money.
“If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.” - Earl Wilson
Wash your own car Wash your car yourself where you can, this is a great way to cut back on extra spend.
Search for cheaper fuel Find the least expensive fuel in your area by visiting www.petrolprices.com
However, don't spend pounds on petrol driving huge distances to save a few pence!
Lift sharing Lift sharing is becoming especially popular with escalating fuel costs and 'two-person only' lanes on major roads. Car-sharing not only reduces carbon dioxide emissions - it is also an effective way of saving money and reducing pollution and congestion. Visit www.liftshare.org and www.catcharide.co.uk
Get together with other parents and look to see if you can share the school run or even set up a walk to school club on which you can all take turns in. You will save money, reduce car emissions and traffic congestion, and if you take up the walk to school option also give your children extra fresh air and help them stay active.
Change your driving habits! Switch off the engine if you think you’ll be stationary for more than half a minute. Idling this long burns more energy than it takes to restart the engine. By checking that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for your journey and car load, you save on fuel. If your tyres are under inflated by 20% then you'll use 10% more fuel. If you have unnecessary items in your car or boot, the additional weight could increase the amount of fuel that your car uses. By decluttering your car, you could cut down your carbon emissions. By keeping within the speed limits, you can save on fuel. At 70mph you could be using up to 15% more fuel than at 50mph. Stopping and accelerating in traffic uses up more fuel than slowing down early and keeping the car in gear.
Change cars Look at your car emissions and see how much you will save by changing to a low emission car. Plus, you will save on road tax, insurance and running costs.
Get fitter Where possible take the healthier option of walking or cycling instead of automatically jumping in the car. You'll save money, get fitter and help the environment.
Car insurance Renewing your car insurance policy with the same insurer won't always be the cheapest option so shop around, compare and check out cash back sites. Go ahead and change your insurer if that is what you find saves you the most money! Visit comparison websites. If you can afford to pay in full then do so; you will pay more if you choose to pay in instalments. Do not be lazy – switch!
Breakdown cover Choose cheaper breakdown insurance cover. Don’t just think about the AA or RAC: there are numerous cheaper alternatives. See if you can get it cheaper with your insurance provider.
