Jean Chatzky
There’s no way around it, transportation is a necessary expense. Getting to and from work, taking the kids to school and activities, and all the other household errands require some type of vehicle or mode of transport. While you may not be able to cut transportation from your budget, there are some things you can do to minimize expenses and save money every month.
Plan Ahead. The fewer miles you drive, the less fuel you use. Planning out your day or even your week so that you’re coordinating trips with errands, saves miles and dollars.
Use Public Transit. Most public transportation is cheaper than cabs or ride-sharing. One way to commit yourself to using the subway or bus is to buy a card for a week to try it out and see if it works for you.
Start Carpooling. Do you have colleagues or friends in your neighborhood to carpool with? Splitting gas and parking expenses is a good way to save money. If you don’t live near work friends you can always try one of the many carpooling apps to find the right fit.
Stay on Top of Car Maintenance. Prioritize oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and other regular car maintenance. If you put things off, they just get worse – and cost you more later.
Find Ways to Do It Yourself. While there is maintenance that you should leave to the professionals, there are things you can learn to do yourself. YouTube has a ton of tutorials of things you can do yourself to save some money, like changing air filters or topping off your coolant.
Car Insurance Review. Look at your coverages and deductibles to see if you’re paying for things you don’t need. If you have money saved in an emergency fund to cover the unexpected, you may consider changing your deductibles to save money on monthly premiums. Try shopping other insurance companies for better rates. Or if you like your current car insurance company, call and see what discounts they can offer. You may also find ways to save money by bundling things like car and homeowners insurance.
Chris O'Shea
