Saving Money On Transportation Costs
By: Chemain Evans | Posted: 07th February 2007
It seems like we're always on the go these days. Whether
traveling across the country (or the world) or across town, there
are ways that you can get more travel out of your
transportation dollars.
Airline Fares
Undeniably, the airlines are both the fastest and the most
expensive way to travel far distances. You may lower the price
of a round trip air fare by as much as two-thirds by making
certain your trip includes a Saturday evening stay over, and by
purchasing the ticket in advance. Many airlines divide up the
seats on their flights into price categories. The cheapest ones
sell first so it pays to shop early. To make certain you have a
cheap fare, even if you use a travel agent, contact all the
airlines that fly where you want to go and ask what the lowest
fare to your destination is. Be flexible, if possible. Consider using
low fare carriers or alternative airports and keep an eye out for
fare wars.
Car Rental
Since car rental rates can vary greatly, shop around for the best
basic rates. Ask about any additional charges (extra driver, gas,
drop-off fees) and special offers, such as free upgrades. Rental
car companies offer various insurance and waiver options.
Check with your automobile insurance agent and credit card
company in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage you may
already have.
New Cars
You can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a car by
selecting a model that combines a low purchase price with low
financing, insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs.
Ask your local librarian for new car guides that contain this
information. Having selected a model, you can save hundreds of
dollars by comparison shopping. Call at least five dealers for
price quotes and let each know that you are calling others.
Most car dealerships and their salespeople have quotas and
deadlines to meet, often on monthly and quarterly schedules.
You'll probably get a better deal on the last day of the month
than on the first day. September can be a great time to buy a
current year model because the dealerships want to make room
for the coming year's vehicles. December is also great because
it's the end of the year and, in colder areas at least, car sales
are usually in a slump.
Finally, remember there is no "cooling off" period on new car
sales. Once you have signed a contract, you are obligated to
buy the car.
Used Cars
Before buying any used car you need to compare the seller's
asking price with the average retail price in a "bluebook" or
other guide to car prices found at many libraries, banks, and
credit unions. If needed, ask for help in deciphering the
information. Next, have a mechanic you trust check the car,
especially if the car is sold "as is." You don't want to be driving
away with a cracked head gasket, or something even worse!
Consider purchasing a used car from an individual you know and
trust. You are more likely to get the car for a lower price and
have any problems with it pointed out to you.
Auto Leasing
Don't decide to lease a car just because the payments are lower
than on a traditional auto loan. The leasing payments may be
lower because you don't own the car at the end of the lease.
Leasing a car is very complicated. When shopping, consider the
price of the car (known as the capitalized cost), your trade-in
allowance, any down payment, monthly payments, various fees
(excess mileage, excess "wear and tear," end-of-lease), and the
cost of buying the car at the end of the lease. Keys to Vehicle
Leasing: A Consumer Guide, published by the Federal Reserve
Board and Federal Trade Commission, is a valuable source of
information about auto leasing.
Gasoline
Did you just about die from sticker shock the last time you filled
up? You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing
prices at different stations, pumping gas yourself, and using the
lowest-octane called for in your owner's manual. Pay cash at
stations that charge extra for credit cards.
Don't top off the gas tank. First of all, it's dangerous! Second,
too much gas will just slosh or seep out. Why waste those extra
pennies? Tighten up that gas cap. Make sure it's on securely.
Buy a new one if your current cap doesn't fit snugly. Gas easily
evaporates from the tank if it has an escape.
You can save up to $100 a year on gas by keeping your engine
tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure. Get
regular tune-ups and follow through with routine maintenance.
A well-tuned engine burns less gas. Underinflated tires waste
fuel and wear out the tire tread. Also, check tires regularly for
alignment and balance. Remove snow tires in good weather.
Deep tread and big tires use more fuel.
Clean out your trunk. Excessive weight in your trunk causes
your car to use more fuel. For every extra 250 pounds your
engine hauls, the car loses about one mile per gallon in fuel
economy. Carry only the basic emergency equipment and items
you really need.
Buy a fuel-efficient car. When pricing cars, factor in long-term
fuel costs. Keep in mind that, though you may like the wind
blowing through your hair, sunroofs add to wind resistance,
lowering the mileage per gallon. Also, be smart with the air
conditioning. Air conditioning can lower your fuel economy by 10
percent to 20 percent. On the highway, closed windows
decrease wind resistance, so run the air conditioner. But in
stop-and-go traffic, shutting off the air conditioning and opening
the windows can lighten your fuel use.
Car Repairs
Consumers lose billions of dollars each year on unneeded or
poorly done car repairs. The most important step that you can
take to save money on these repairs is to find a skilled, honest
mechanic. Before you need repairs, look for a mechanic who is
certified and well-established, has done good work for someone
you know, and communicates well about repair options and
costs. Asking friends, family, and coworkers who they use is
probably the best way to find a good mechanic. In addition,
preventative maintenance is the operative phrase here. You
know the saying: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure." Take care of those minor problems before they become
major ones!
Chemain Evans is a quality control specialist for Simple Joe, Inc. Income & Expenses PC software is a Simple Joe product that is a quick and simple way to keep track of your expenses and stay within your budget. Learn more at http://www.simplejoe.com
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Tags: salespeople, insurance agent, free upgrades, new cars, automobile insurance, car dealerships, saturday evening, air fare, rental car companies