As you plan long road trips, the question of expenses is usually the most challenging. How to spend less money on fuel during winter? How to survive a hot summer without spending extra on A/C? Petrol or diesel? How to make the most out of your car insurance?
How do you keep your automobile tidy and shining and not spend hundreds of dollars each month for a car wash? Which car rental has the cheapest young driver fee? These and many other questions tend to bother auto users as they make driving their main means of transportation.
Are There Any Effective Ways to Save on Your Daily Car Expenses?
Have you just bought the car of your dreams? Or have you already spent several years behind the wheel? Or are you a young driver who is planning to rent an automobile? In any case, consider some easy yet incredibly effective smart budgeting strategies that will help you travel in comfort without robbing the bank.
Top 10 Smart Strategies for Saving Money on Your Road Trips
Here are ten simple yet highly effective ways to save money as a young driver:
- First, make sure to hunt out cheap fuel for your vehicle. Find the petrol stations nearby and note the prices per liter as you drive by. Sometimes a few cents or a dollar does not make a huge change but in the long run, you save a decent amount of money if you choose the most cost-friendly fuel.
- Next, try to pay in cash instead of using a debit card to save on gas. The reason for that is that when you use a debit card for your payment, the bank charges a commission for each of your transactions. The fee varies from 5% to 15%. In the long run, this might cost you an extra $40 to $60 for one 10-gallon refill.
- Also, for your budget-friendly car rentals in winter, drive gently and slower when your vehicle is cold. If you drive quickly immediately from start-up, you redouble the wasted fuel. It also increases the risk of wearing out the engine quickly in the driving process. Modern engines are intended to eliminate the need to warm the engine up first. Remember to turn the heated seats or a heated steering wheel off when you have warmed up. Leaving them on will increase your fuel consumption.
- Moreover, regularly check your tire pressures. It is a good idea to buy an electric pump to check and inflate yourself. Tires underinflated by 15 psi can use 6% more fuel. It is a difference you may not notice from a visual glance. The distinction is usually between the average of 40mpg and 42mpg. In other words, it is an additional 26 miles from a 60-litre fuel tank.
- Also, make sure to turn down the A/C in your car. Air conditioning is an important feature in an automobile, especially during summer. However, it makes your vehicle use more fuel to keep the conditioning working. While in town, the A/C usage will negatively affect your fuel budget. Still, A/C is more beneficial on the highway as the air drag from open windows outweighs having the air conditioning on.
- To lower your car rental expenses, choose wisely between diesel and petrol. For beginners, diesel is more expensive than petrol. Yet, if you often drive on motorways and other major roads, you might need to stick to petrol.
- One of the best expense management tips is to add some of your family members to your car insurance. It can balance the risk of spending extra on your own insurance as well as reduce your premium by a few dollars. Yet, be aware of the possible risks of this strategy. If you add another underage or inexperienced driver to your insurance, it can increase the cost of your premium. This is because the insurer will base the price on the driver with the higher risk.
- Next, pay closer attention to your annual mileage when buying your automobile insurance. Try using your average yearly miles as a guide to estimate and budget for your fuel costs. For instance, find out how many kilometers you drive per year on average. It will let you plan your car budget as well as set aside some money for gas usage. This simple strategy for cost management for young drivers will allow them to save on fuel.
- Besides, avoid using your windscreen wipers on ice. The replacement of wipers for your car window can cost $40 or more. Yet, they will wear out much sooner when you use them on ice in winter. Instead, try to scrape the screen or use de-icer instead. Prices for de-icers start from as cheap as $5.
- Lastly, washing your car yourself is a good idea for budgeting for young drivers. While hand car wash centers are available almost everywhere today, even a cheap $5 car wash adds up to around $120 per year. Yet, doing it yourself will not only save you money but also allow you to keep an eye on your car’s condition and spot any damage before it gets too bad.
Must Read: How to Avoid Budget Hazards For a Better Financial Future
What Is the Best Car Rental for Young Drivers in the US?
Take a look at the best offers for drivers with age restrictions for car rental below:
- First, consider the Nissan Rouge. This compact SUV offers five seats and three baggage spaces. Free cancellation, free shuttle bus, and free amendments are available with this deal, too. The vehicle’s rental price is $23.82 per day.
- Second, take a closer look at the Kia Sportage. This automobile features five seats and three baggage compartments. Free consolation, free shuttle bus, and free amendments are available with this car, too. Moreover, if you rent this car now, you will save 20% of its price. With this in mind, it costs $31.48 per day to rent this vehicle.
- Also, check the Hyundai Santa Fe. It offers five passenger seats and four baggage spaces. This car is a perfect choice if you are planning to travel with a lot of luggage. If you rent this car now, you get to save 27% from its original price. Thus, the vehicle’s rental cost is $35.85 per day.
- Besides, if you are looking for a car that would fit a large group of people, consider taking the Dodge Durango. This vehicle features seven passenger seats and three baggage compartments. Moreover, this deal offers unlimited mileage, free shuttle bus, free cancellation, and free amendments. Also, if you rent this auto now, you get a 17% discount from its original price. With the discount, it will cost only $51.62 per day to operate this automobile.
- Finally, consider the Ford Mustang if you are looking for an excellent convertible. The vehicle features four passenger seats and two baggage compartments. Free cancellation and amendments are available, too. Rent it now and get a 5% discount. It costs $98.96 per day to operate this rental auto.
Must Read: 5 Benefits of Auto/ Car Insurance
How to Enjoy Your Travel at a Friendly Cost and in Comfort if You Are Under 21 Years of Age?
To make the most of your USA under-21 car rental, rent a vehicle as early as possible before your trip. It will allow you to “lock” the price for the rental vehicle you chose and avoid spending extra for last-minute reservations.
