Money Saving Tips
Car Finance Blog
January can be a gloomy month after the festivities and Blue Monday-which falls on the third Monday of the month-is considered to be the most depressing day of the year, due to a combination of bad weather, accumulated debt and low motivation levels.
Having felt under pressure to overspend at Christmas, many of us are now facing the reality of getting our finances back on track.
So, how might we drivers go about clawing back some of that cash?
Car Insurance
If your car insurance is due for renewal in January then using a price comparison website will enable you to compare hundreds of financial products in order to find the one that’s just right for you.
According to Which, there is usually a huge difference between the cheapest and most expensive providers so taking the time to browse these sites to find the best deal is time well spent.
It’s also possible to see how customers have rated each provider based on their quality of service.
Car insurance premiums are often cheaper when paid annually rather than monthly, so it’s worth bearing in mind if you need to start setting money aside now for this time next year.
Generally it’s cheaper to buy online than over the phone.
Fuel
According to the AA, the four factors that affect your cost per mile are; overall fuel price, fuel type, your car’s efficiency and the way you drive.
Their handy calculator lets you work out fuel cost per mile:
Cost per mile (pence) = Litres x Fuel price / Number of miles
Annual running cost (converts to £) = Cost per mile x Average mileage / 100
While diesel may be more expensive than petrol, it does give more miles to the gallon-however, it’s only a more economical choice than petrol for high mileage drivers.
Remember, the heavier your car, the less economic it will be to run so lighten the load by removing unnecessary clutter.
Tyres are responsible for around 20% of your vehicle’s fuel consumption mainly due to the rolling resistance so worn out tyres with an uneven tread pattern will cause the car to work harder to put its power to the ground.
Prices vary considerably at pumps around the country and between brands so investing in a Fuel Price Checker App is one way to make sure you’re getting value for money. (Some of these apps are free.)
To achieve high mpg, the RAC recommend driving in the highest gear possible while keeping within the speed limit. Their advice for driving in urban areas is to change up through the gears as quickly as you can with the lowest revs possible. The rationale for doing so is that the faster an engine spins, the more fuel it uses.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/how-to/fuel-saving-tips/
MOT
When it comes to arranging your car’s MOT, it pays to check what’s on offer locally. Although the government has set a maximum test fee of £54.85, service centres will often run half-price deals. However, be on your guard against cowboys and try to for on personal recommendations. The RAC website can help you find a reputable garage in your area.
Breakdown Cover
Good breakdown cover is essential for peace of mind when travelling.
It’s generally accepted that a higher level of recovery will cost more but again, shopping around to find the best package makes financial sense.
Comparison websites will let you see what’s on offer and choose the most appropriate option for your budget.
Replacing Car Parts
Having to replace a car part can prove to be a costly business at any time of year but it’s an extra expense most of us could do without in January.
The Autopartstrader website lets you search through thousands of discounted new and used car parts from nationally recognised salvage experts for all manufacturers and models.
https://www.autopartstrader.co.uk/
Consider Car-Sharing
John and Kayleigh, aka Peter Kay and Sian Gibson, are probably the best- known advocates of the Car Sharing concept.
And judging by the evidence, they were on to something as joining a car-sharing scheme could literally halve your fuel costs.
Liftshare.com say that signing up can result in savings of more than £1000 per year-a considerable sum by any standards.
A wise individual once said that it’s easy to meet expenses because everywhere we go, there they are! So shopping around to get the best deal is a no-brainer if we intend to banish the financial blues we face in January, once and for all.
Car Finance Blog
January can be a gloomy month after the festivities and Blue Monday-which falls on the third Monday of the month-is considered to be the most depressing day of the year, due to a combination of bad weather, accumulated debt and low motivation levels.
Having felt under pressure to overspend at Christmas, many of us are now facing the reality of getting our finances back on track.
So, how might we drivers go about clawing back some of that cash?
Car Insurance
If your car insurance is due for renewal in January then using a price comparison website will enable you to compare hundreds of financial products in order to find the one that’s just right for you.
According to Which, there is usually a huge difference between the cheapest and most expensive providers so taking the time to browse these sites to find the best deal is time well spent.
It’s also possible to see how customers have rated each provider based on their quality of service.
Car insurance premiums are often cheaper when paid annually rather than monthly, so it’s worth bearing in mind if you need to start setting money aside now for this time next year.
Generally it’s cheaper to buy online than over the phone.
Fuel
According to the AA, the four factors that affect your cost per mile are; overall fuel price, fuel type, your car’s efficiency and the way you drive.
Their handy calculator lets you work out fuel cost per mile:
Cost per mile (pence) = Litres x Fuel price / Number of miles
Annual running cost (converts to £) = Cost per mile x Average mileage / 100
While diesel may be more expensive than petrol, it does give more miles to the gallon-however, it’s only a more economical choice than petrol for high mileage drivers.
Remember, the heavier your car, the less economic it will be to run so lighten the load by removing unnecessary clutter.
Tyres are responsible for around 20% of your vehicle’s fuel consumption mainly due to the rolling resistance so worn out tyres with an uneven tread pattern will cause the car to work harder to put its power to the ground.
Prices vary considerably at pumps around the country and between brands so investing in a Fuel Price Checker App is one way to make sure you’re getting value for money. (Some of these apps are free.)
To achieve high mpg, the RAC recommend driving in the highest gear possible while keeping within the speed limit. Their advice for driving in urban areas is to change up through the gears as quickly as you can with the lowest revs possible. The rationale for doing so is that the faster an engine spins, the more fuel it uses.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/how-to/fuel-saving-tips/
MOT
When it comes to arranging your car’s MOT, it pays to check what’s on offer locally. Although the government has set a maximum test fee of £54.85, service centres will often run half-price deals. However, be on your guard against cowboys and try to for on personal recommendations. The RAC website can help you find a reputable garage in your area.
Breakdown Cover
Good breakdown cover is essential for peace of mind when travelling.
It’s generally accepted that a higher level of recovery will cost more but again, shopping around to find the best package makes financial sense.
Comparison websites will let you see what’s on offer and choose the most appropriate option for your budget.
Replacing Car Parts
Having to replace a car part can prove to be a costly business at any time of year but it’s an extra expense most of us could do without in January.
The Autopartstrader website lets you search through thousands of discounted new and used car parts from nationally recognised salvage experts for all manufacturers and models.
https://www.autopartstrader.co.uk/
Consider Car-Sharing
John and Kayleigh, aka Peter Kay and Sian Gibson, are probably the best- known advocates of the Car Sharing concept.
And judging by the evidence, they were on to something as joining a car-sharing scheme could literally halve your fuel costs.
Liftshare.com say that signing up can result in savings of more than £1000 per year-a considerable sum by any standards.
A wise individual once said that it’s easy to meet expenses because everywhere we go, there they are! So shopping around to get the best deal is a no-brainer if we intend to banish the financial blues we face in January, once and for all.