Uncommon Cents

Vehicles are large expenses; the house is first, transportation is up there with food and utilities ranking either two, three, or four in terms of dollars spent every month. Gas and insurance are (somewhat) budgeted for by most, but maintenance and repairs tend to sneak up on people.

I was recently having a discussion with one of my friends online who needed new tires, alignment, and a brake job. After a bit of discussion I discovered her vehicle was a 2005 Toyota Matrix, 5 speed manual transmission with about 50,000 miles on it. When I expressed surprise at needing new brake pads–through downshifting, manual transmission cars on this island tend to be able to hit over 70,000 miles before really needing new pads–I found out she wasn’t downshifting, she was instead riding her brakes.

Today I discovered a quick bit in a Forbes magazine on “driving green”: minimizing environmental impact through conservative driving techniques, smart choices in parts, keeping your car light and well-maintained, etc. The online edition of the story ran in March of this year, when gas prices were really starting to soar; however, it’s just as valid now. For many, the big seller on driving green isn’t its environmental friendliness; it is, instead, its thriftiness. Regular maintenance and conservative driving can save money both on your daily commute as well as on repairs; long term, it can improve resale value of your vehicle and increase the amount of time between vehicle replacement.

If you want to save dollars on your driving, don’t take only the short term view–saving a few bucks by going with regular gas versus premium won’t do as much over the long run as keeping your tires properly inflated, your alignment straight, your coolant regularly changed, and your filters clean. Keep your expenses down by taking a close look at your driving habits and vehicle maintenance.

Tags: Budgeting, Frugality, Technology

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