If you’ve been driving for any respectable amount of time, then you know likely know all the costs that you can easily budget for. Your car loan payments, your gas, your insurance and, if you’re prudent, you will budget for future car repairs and services, as well. However, there are some costs of driving and owning a car that we tend to forget to include in the budget. Here, we’re going to give them the attention they deserve.
The car around the corner
Even if you’re still paying off your current auto, you should still be thinking about how you’re going to buy the next one. When most buy a car, they take out a loan for it. However, are you doing the legwork to put yourself in the position for the best deal available? Building your credit now is important for all major future purchases. Start by looking over your credit report for false records. Sensibly use credit cards or overdrafts to build a history. Ensure you’re current with all loans and credit arrangements. Better credit makes it easier to pay for the next car you buy.
Do you pay to park?
This will affect those who live or work in cities, but it’s still a good practice to get into. Tolls and parking should be added to your auto expenses, as it can cost hundreds or even up to a grand a month in the bigger, busier cities. Aside from figuring out what your average parking costs are and figuring them in the budget, you should use tools like Just Park, that could potentially help you find cheaper places to keep your car in the city.
Yes, you should even budget for tickets
Tickets will rear their ugly heads for even the most sensible and safe of drivers. Easy mistakes and overzealous enforcement can result in some unfair ticket handling. Aside from doing what you can to operate as legally as possible on the road, you should also challenge unfair tickets with the help of teams like GetDismissed ticket fighters. You might find that you have to deal with this particular unexpected cost less if you occasionally raise a fuss about it.
Don’t let breakdowns break you
No-one plans to get stuck on the side of the road in a broken-down auto, either, but it does happen. If you’re not prepared for it, the costs of getting yourself picked up and taken to the garage will add an even deeper sting to repair and replacement costs. For that reason, you should look at the protection you can get from roadside assistance. It’s not recurring bill to add to the budget, but manageable and predictable bills are much better than financial emergencies that can up-end your whole budget.
If you want to be financially healthy, then identifying the costs around the corner, even those unexpected ones that you could potentially avoid, is important. By budgeting for the worst-case scenarios, you can save even more in the best-case realities.