While owning a vehicle in California is a necessity for most of us, the cost of ownership is often quite high. However, with few alternative transportation options, much of our income is used for various vehicle expenses. Here are a few ways to lower the yearly cost of vehicle ownership.
One expense that is required in California is purchasing vehicle insurance. Comparison shopping is very important, as different companies definitely charge higher rates. Sometimes you can also get an even lower rate by bundling your car insurance and your homeowner's insurance. This can be a way to lower the cost of both of these insurance costs.
Another option is to carry only the required liability insurance, which covers damage to other vehicles and drivers if you cause an accident. This might be a good idea, particularly if your car is older than 10 years. You also should review your policy and rates. For example, maybe your rates are based on past driving habits. If you once commuted 30 miles and now work from home, for example, this could certainly lower your rates.
Gasoline has been hovering around $4 per gallon for a while in California and often climbs higher. There are ways to lower your gas costs. Conduct an internet search to find the cheapest gasoline in Berkeley or purchase your gasoline from Costco if you are a member. Keep in mind that if you have to drive really far to get this cheaper gas, the savings might not be worth the time and wear on your vehicle. Some gas stations have paired up with grocery stores and you earn rewards, which can translate to savings on your food bill. Also, some credit cards offer cash back on gasoline purchases, so using this type of card can help you save.
Keeping your car properly maintained can make it more fuel efficient, including keep enough air in your tires. Leaving your car on when it is parked burns excess fuel, so if you tend to leave the car running while you grab dry cleaning or are waiting to pick up the kids, this is a huge waste of fuel and money, not to mention the effect on the environment. Riding your brakes also decreases fuel efficiency as does running the air conditioner, so consider turning this off on a nice day. Spend a minute or two planning out your driving route before leaving the house to avoid adding extra miles to the trip.
There are many other required expenses, such as registration fees and smog checks. While the state fees are set and there is nothing you can do to lower this cost, you can save a bit on your smog check. For a cheap smog test in Berkeley, consider finding a smog certification station that offers a discount if you book the test time online.
One expense that is required in California is purchasing vehicle insurance. Comparison shopping is very important, as different companies definitely charge higher rates. Sometimes you can also get an even lower rate by bundling your car insurance and your homeowner's insurance. This can be a way to lower the cost of both of these insurance costs.
Another option is to carry only the required liability insurance, which covers damage to other vehicles and drivers if you cause an accident. This might be a good idea, particularly if your car is older than 10 years. You also should review your policy and rates. For example, maybe your rates are based on past driving habits. If you once commuted 30 miles and now work from home, for example, this could certainly lower your rates.
Gasoline has been hovering around $4 per gallon for a while in California and often climbs higher. There are ways to lower your gas costs. Conduct an internet search to find the cheapest gasoline in Berkeley or purchase your gasoline from Costco if you are a member. Keep in mind that if you have to drive really far to get this cheaper gas, the savings might not be worth the time and wear on your vehicle. Some gas stations have paired up with grocery stores and you earn rewards, which can translate to savings on your food bill. Also, some credit cards offer cash back on gasoline purchases, so using this type of card can help you save.
Keeping your car properly maintained can make it more fuel efficient, including keep enough air in your tires. Leaving your car on when it is parked burns excess fuel, so if you tend to leave the car running while you grab dry cleaning or are waiting to pick up the kids, this is a huge waste of fuel and money, not to mention the effect on the environment. Riding your brakes also decreases fuel efficiency as does running the air conditioner, so consider turning this off on a nice day. Spend a minute or two planning out your driving route before leaving the house to avoid adding extra miles to the trip.
There are many other required expenses, such as registration fees and smog checks. While the state fees are set and there is nothing you can do to lower this cost, you can save a bit on your smog check. For a cheap smog test in Berkeley, consider finding a smog certification station that offers a discount if you book the test time online.
About the Author:
Nolan Tornes likes blogging and sharing tips on auto maintenance. For further information about smog check Berkeley centers or to find out more about DMV smog check Berkeley centers, please go to the Berkeley-Smog.com site today.
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