AD – Collaborative Post with Dayinsure
It’s coming up to almost 10 years since I learned to drive and I actually can’t believe that I’ve been driving for almost a decade. That’s terrifying and now my younger siblings will be learning to drive in a few years and it is just crazy how fast the time goes isn’t it? We’re thinking about family cars for the future and are finally in a place where we can probably have most cars that we like and we don’t have to be *too* cost conscious which is really nice when it comes to choosing our next car.
I was thinking about this and thought about all the money things that you worry about when it comes to your first car so I’ve put together this post to give you some of my usual money saving tips but with a motoring theme!
1. Buy the best quality you can afford
When it came to my first car, it was £600 and a bit of a banger. But, I paid for it all myself and I was very proud of myself. Steve – the car – didn’t last very long (only about 18 months) because he was basically a rust bucket. Of course I loved him but maybe if I’d have saved a little more money for a few more months I would have had a car that lasted me a little bit longer and I might not have spent so much on repairs over the years. You buy cheap – you buy twice!
My piece of advice when it comes to buying your first car is definitely try and find the best quality car you can, even if this means you borrowing a little bit of money or saving for longer, trust me it’s better than breaking down and spending more than your car is worth at the garage!
2. Don’t panic buy insurance (or a car!)
Car insurance is super expensive, especially for first time drivers, I’m sure you know. Temporary insurance can be a way that newly passed drivers can drive for a really short amount of time so it could be good if you’re test driving whether to share a car with a parent or a sibling or even if you’re visiting a friend or family member and are driving their car and you don’t have your own!
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can get temporary car insurance for new drivers then I’ve got some welcome news for you – you can. You can use these insurance policies between 6am and 10pm and they can be perfect for holidays, weekends away or on the run up to your practical test if you are accompanied by a driver over 25 who has held a full UK licence for at least three years. European cover is available as an optional extra if you’re planning on driving abroad, along with additional drivers and daily breakdown cover.
3. Always ask for petrol money!
If you’re the designated driver for your friends, let them know how much it’s going to be if you’re always driving around. Whether you exchange driving for snacks from the drive-thru or cold hard cash – don’t get too excited to be driving with your mates and forget to ask for your cash. If you all share driving from time to time, it all evens out doesn’t it but if you’re the only driver in your friendship group then you might be out of pocket!
