Every Girls Guide To Buying A New Car
06 May 2015 10 Comments
in JoyFULL, Klever Kids, Travelling With Teens Tags: do your homework, get a great deal on a new car, getting a good deal on a new car, girls guide to car buying, how to buy a new car, new car, save money, saving money, upgrade your car, wise spending
Buying a new car can be very stressful, but armed with the right knowledge you can wrangle a great deal.
A few weeks ago Miss WW decided that it was time for a new car. Her cute little car was getting on in years and was heading down the path of being a sink hole for cash that she would never recoup.
She had made a list of all the possible choices that are available in the small car category that she was interested in and in true University student style, she researched everything you could about each car.
With finance sorted she had one day free in her busy week to test drive her final list of favourites. Together with a friend she hit the car dealers without me there as I simply could not get that day off work.
I could feel the dealers rubbing their hands together when Miss Blondie walked in, thinking this would be an easy deal. How wrong they were!
She might have been feeling a little under the weather after discovering she had shingles just days before, but she was prepared for battle.
It’s a done deal!
***
The initial plan was for her to do the test drives, get the prices and then we would go together and score the best deal. But the best laid plans can often be thwarted….
Little did they know that Miss WW knew practically everything there was to know about each car, so they could not pull the wool over her eyes.
Her action plan went like this –
* Use the online ‘build a car’ planner available on every car manufacturers website to get the RRP of each model.
* Troll through CarSales.com for all the prices and models currently offered by dealers around Brisbane.
* Watched independent reviews of each model by car experts online.
* Checked the ANCAP safety rating for each car. Two models were immediately crossed off her list because they only got a 4 star rating instead of 5.
* Goggled reviews by the public as they are quick too complain if things are not right.
* Made a list of all the stats and inclusions including features, fuel consumption and optional extra’s etc.
* How many years warranty are offered and do they have fixed price servicing.
* Set your budget limit and do NOT go over it.
* Shop for a new car toward the end of the month, dealers that need to fill their quota’s will be more prepared to cut a good deal.
***
After each test drive she reported back to me with her discoveries.
It was down to 3. The Toyota Yaris, the Kia Rio and the Mitsubishi Mirage.
The Mirage was her least favourite of the three, a cheaper price point but a very basic car.
The Yaris was in second place, simply because of Toyota’s reputation for building cars that last.
The Kia Rio really won her over, due to it’s fabulous finish, well equipped cabin, and a long list of positive reviews from Kia owners.
So the dealing began.
The salesman had verbally agreed on Miss WW’s price. But when it came down to the crunch her $500 refundable deposit was no longer going to be refunded, in effect she would be paying $500 more than when had been agreed upon.
She rang me most distraught and I could tell she was ready to cave, and I told her she had to walk away from this deal right now as this dealer was simply trying to take advantage of her.
And walk away she did.
She then rang another Kia dealer and explained what had just happened and if they could offer her the original quoted price she would drive over right now, if not don’t waste my time.
Not only did they match it, they ended up knocking another $500 off the price for a brand new Rio that had 14 km on the clock!
She is now the proud owner of a new car that she just loves to bits.
This was no easy feat for a 19 year old to tackle, but it proved to be a valuable lesson and has grown her confidence in making adult choices like nothing else she has done in the past.
So damn proud of her!
When did you get your first new car?
Sharing for #FYBF at With Some Grace
An Easy Way To Start Saving Money!
13 Jan 2013 Leave a Comment
in Absolute Abundance, JoyFULL Tags: establishing good money habits, finding spare cash to save, internet banking, regular savings, saving money, ways to cut spending to find money for saving
Savings are vital for peace of mind and growing your prosperity!
Having savings lets you make choices, but in these tough times that many people are experiencing, having anything left at the end of the week can be close to impossible.
Regular savings, even of the tiniest amount can bring a great sense of satisfaction, shows the universe that you are serious about taking control of your financial future and can provide a buffer for absolute emergencies.
No doubt you have seen this chart over the last few days, it has appeared on my Facebook feed quite a few times.
I am really in love with this idea, as it lets you start with small steps and slowly increase the amount each week, AND at the end of the year you will have well over $1000.00 in the bank. The trick is to just start and to NOT touch it. It will be very tempting when you see that gorgeous new pair of shoes that you just HAVE to possess and if you take the money out of this account you won’t even have to explain them too your partner.
I am definately going to take this challenge, and as it is the start of a new year, why not take it too, and enjoy having this cash nicely stashed away by New Years Eve.
I have savings accounts attached to my everyday accounts, so with the help of internet banking I am making Sunday – Savings Day. Every Sunday I will internet bank the required amount into my savings account, and I am choosing the one that charges a $2.50 fee if I make a withdrawal. A very good incentive for me to not touch it, as I find bank fee’s one of the biggest robbers and rip-off’s of my hard earned cash!
As we are in the second week of the New Year, today I am depositing $3.00 into that account so that I am up to speed.
Some of you will be saying – there is NO WAY I can find that cash to spare to put into a savings account.
A change of mindset to “I WILL” find a way, will help you discover the dollars you need to start successfully saving.
Here are a few ways that you can find the extra dollars to put away for savings:-
* Start by looking at your spending, is there a single item you buy every week that you really could do without?
* What can you sell on Ebay, Gumtree or in the Weekend Shopper that you really don’t need?
* A little part time job like delivering junk mail, walking dogs, selling craft you make, or baby sitting – can help increase the budget by a few dollars.
* Can you buy Homebrand products instead of big name items, the savings can be enormous.
* Can you walk instead of driving or taking public transport.
* Eat at home, not at restaurants or having take-away.
Use your imagination and desire to save to help you find ways to get the cash in the bank!
The other thing that is not taken into account with the above table is INTEREST!
My account pays interest when I make deposits, but not withdrawals, so I will have even more in my account by the end of the year. YAY!
Say YES to savings and start your account now!
ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE?????????
Stay In Touch!