8. Save $500-$700 per month Get rid of second car, get rid of full option insurance
If you are with 2 persons, you could get rid of second car, and only use one car. You quickly save more than $500 per month on car finance/lease, insurance, car maintenance. You could also sell current car, or close current car finance/lease and purchase a cheap second-hand (leased) car of $5-$10,000 on credit, and skip the full option insurance, you save hundreds in lower finance/lease payments and hundreds in lower insurance payments.
Go for reliability and fuel efficiency when buying a car. A reliable and fuel efficient car will save you thousands over the long haul. Lets say you drive a vehicle for 80,000 miles. If you choose a 25 miles per gallon car over a 15 miles per gallon car, you save 2,133 gallons of gas. At $3 a gallon, thats $6,400 in savings right there. Reliability can pay the same dividends. Do the research it will pay off for you.
When buying a car, go for late model used. These are typically cars coming straight off of leases, meaning they were cared for by reliable owners. My truck was purchased with this criteria and has lasted me several years already with only one significant issue and I saved a ton of money on the purchase price over buying new. Only now is it beginning to show significant signs of aging and with the money I saved on that purchase, I was able to get out of debt that much quicker.
We cut our costs. Had 2 cars. Sold one of them.
Only recently bought my first new car after being struck from behind and having my car with 200,000 miles totaled. Have always driven small, fuel efficient cars which are better for the environment and the pocketbook.
I am also investing in a scooter. You can get 100+ miles per gallon on those puppies and they're like $3,000 BRAND NEW (depending on the size). We can cut gas bills and I can make short runs to the store if my family needs anything and ride to work on nice days.
If you live in an area that has good public transportation, see if you can get around without the car. Maybe you can get by with one car instead of two.
When using mass transit, be sure to ask about multiple ride discount cards, monthly passes and any other deals for riders.
Ask if your employer offers discounted bus or train passes. Sometimes, it's a little-advertised perk that can save you $20 to $40 a month.
