Car Woes: Coping with Buying an Automobile
by Stephanie Strickland

Purchasing a car is an ordeal almost every parent and their teenager have to go though, but by keeping these three simple tips in mind, purchasing an automobile can be a drive in the park.

1) Make sure everything works. My parents and I went to look at a car advertised in the paper, which the owner claimed was in great condition. However when we popped the hood to take a look inside, the battery fell out. Not a good sign and definitely not the best indication of a perfectly functioning vehicle. Despite what many teenagers believe these days, getting from point A to point B is still the most important feature in a car.

2) Haggle. Our ancestors had it right when they decided to haggle in search of the best possible deal. Of course they usually ended up with a milk cow instead of a car but at least they paid a fair price for it. Edmunds.com and kbb.com are good places to find pricing for any automobile, new or used. They give you the dealer retail, private party, and dealer trade-in prices so you can find out just how much you should be paying for your prospective car.

3) Save! Whether you’re purchasing a car, buying gas for it, or paying the car insurance bill, there’s one thing you’ll always want to have. Money. However you choose to earn your pay, you should always have a savings account at your credit union. This allows your savings to gather interest and also helps you to keep track of your money.

Buying a car is rarely an easy task, but when you shop smart and follow these three easy tips, it can be an exciting and fun experience.