Why You Can't Afford To Use Your Car

Very few of us have failed to notice just how expensive everyday life has become. Everything from food to clothing has increased in price lately. There are more and more demands on our cash, and not a lot of salary increases to cover them. As the cost of insurances and taxes continue to creep up as well, most of us are struggling to make ends meet without making sacrifices somewhere. Where can you make cuts? Would you ever consider giving up your car?

The initial outlay for any car is still beyond the reach of many of us, especially when we want to buy it new. Just having enough salary left over to save up for a car can be challenging at times! Regardless of what you want to buy, or when you want to buy it, there will be many other costs involved. The average American spends around $2000 per year fueling their car. What percentage of your salary is going on that?

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Beyond that ongoing costs, you have other expenses to consider. Think about the registration system. Fair enough, that probably costs you more in time than cash! But then you have the servicing costs, the taxes if applicable, the maintenance and repairs. And what about insurance? When you add all that up, you might find you’re spending a considerable portion of your salary. Worst still, you need to pay all of that regardless of your mileage each year.

Of course, the very convenience of a car is what most of us are paying for. Getting to and from work, visiting family and friends, or simply getting away from it all for the weekend is worth the cost, right? There are other ways to enjoy a bit of freedom and the convenience of a set of wheels without breaking the bank.

First of all, you’ll find that any elektrische scooter is fuel-free. No more spending $2000 a year at the gas station for you. Anything powered 100% by battery is going to save you money. Simply charge and go. In some places, an electric vehicle also exempts you from other charges. You can avoid certain taxes or annual maintenance certificate costs. Depending on the value of the vehicle you choose, you might even benefit from a substantial insurance decrease too.

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More and more cities around the world are charging motorists more money to have their vehicle within the city limits. This is sometimes regardless of whether you drive it or not, especially when you consider parking premiums. For the most part, electric vehicles are exempt from some pollution or congestion charges that might exist. But you still have to park them somewhere. Most parts of Manhattan costs over $500 per month.

Walking and cycling remain the cheapest alternatives to traveling by motorized vehicles. They’re also the most healthy! Of course, it’s not always practical, especially if your journeys are more than a few miles. Have you thought about using car hire for those one-off long trips? Even moving house can sometimes save you so much time and money in commuting that it’s worth the hassle! Can you afford to continue using your car?