Smart ways to save for a new car. Photo: Pictures of Money.
Need a new car but don’t have the funds to buy one? We’re here for you.
The innovations in new cars, the dazzling new styles and the delightful places they will take you is more tempting than ever. And, they annoy the mess out of you because you just aren’t ready to make that purchase. Cars are more expensive than ever, with price increases, shortages and more making a new car purchase seem impossible.
I’ve been there.
The good news is, if you make the right choices and save your dollars in the new year, you will be able to get the car you want by the time the year comes to an end. You may have missed the deals, but there will be more calling your name when you’re ready.
And I know that saving for a car doesn’t sound like fun. When I hear the word ‘save’ I think of sacrifices and pumping the brakes on my Amazon habit (pun intended), but saving doesn’t have to be as unpleasant as you make it out to be.
With the right attitude and a pretty clear vision of the car you want to drive by the end of the new year, you’ll be able to cut back on spending and keep your eyes on the prize.
So, if cruising in a new car is your dream for 2022, let’s talk about what you can do to save your money and crush your car purchasing goals.
Looking for the ultimate car buying experience? Try Costco. Yes, Costco!
Dining out is tempting, but the money you save by eating at home can help you achieve your goals! Photo: Terri Marshall
Stop Eating Out
Wait. Don’t get mad at me. I love lattes and family nights out, too. But in recent months, my husband and I decided to cut back on grabbing food at local restaurants and all I can say is wow! We’ve saved a lot of money. And it’s not like we were eating out daily or anything. Far from it. But just grabbing food on the go twice a week was adding up to some serious cash. If you hate to cook, come up with a list of super simple recipes. I promise you will adjust and after the first 2-3 weeks, it doesn’t seem that bad at all. And when you see how much cash you are saving, you’ll be motivated to keep it up.
Cancel Your Cable
Yep, I’m serious. We canceled ours earlier this year and we are pleasantly pleased by the decision. And keep in mind that we are actually television lovers. So, what do we do now? We live off of Netflix and PlayStation Vue (and human interaction, of course). We spend a lot less every month and we still have plenty of options when it comes to television programming. I can honestly say I don’t miss cable one bit.
Negotiating for your next car: How to tip the scale in your favor
Pick up a Side Hustle
This is something we all learned during the pandemic. Don’t let those skills go to waste! I have friends who make money on the side doing everything from writing, teaching, baking, selling homemade jewelry; the list goes on and on. You can decide to dedicate just 5-10 hours a week on your hustle and promise yourself that all of that money goes straight into your car fund… not your latte fund. Cool?
Are you really using that gym membership? Photo: Creative Commons
Let Go of the Gym Membership
Do you have a gym membership that you didn’t use in 2021? Do you plan to start using it in January? Of course you do. But sadly, after a few weeks, you will stop again. I wish I could tell you why, but you probably need a psychologist to help with that one. And listen, I am actually a certified Health Coach, so I place a pretty high value on health and wellness. But the truth is, I place a higher value on making smart decisions and I actually don’t have a gym membership at the moment. I workout at home and on my treadmill, plus a few amazing apps on my phone to stay fit. Take that gym membership money and throw it into your car fund. You can always join the gym again (and maybe even go) in 2023.
Get THIS in your next car: Our list of the best car features for families.
Say “No” A Lot More
You don’t have to go to every event, dinner, or trip you’re invited to. And you shouldn’t feel obligated to get presents for people if it’s not in your budget. The people that matter totally won’t care if you skip out on getting birthday or holiday gifts in 2022. It’s okay to say “no.” When you say “yes” to everything, you end up opening your wallet a lot more than you need to. If you really want that car in 2022, you are going to have to work on keeping that wallet closed. Saying “no” is a great way to make that happen.
And, isn’t a brand new car a great reward for all that hard work and dedication?
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Best tips to save some money for purchasing a new car much desired! I’m going to afford a pension. lol