YOUR BEST BUDGET CAR TIPS

Every small saving you make adds up!

- Amber Bramble

While many of us are trying to cut back on luxuries to save money, our car is often the one thing that we can’t do without. From fuel to insurance to rego, here’s how to get the best deal all round.

BEAT THE BOWSER

Apps like PetrolSpy can help you find the best bargains on fuel around Australia. Some petrol stations like 7-Eleven also have apps that enable you to lock in fuel prices. “Savings have sometimes been around $20 per tank,” says financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet Helen Baker.

“Top up your fuel tank when it is ‘cheap’ so you always have a full tank should prices jump suddenly overnight.”

Helen also recommends that you avoid paying with credit cards that carry a costly surcharge.

“Often you can get cheaper fuel! When you use your card at the checkout the surcharges can be two per cent,” she advises. Over time, those costs can add up.

ALWAYS HANDLE WITH CARE 

Apart from the obvious reasons to drive safely, it can also save money on costly repair bills.