How to minimise vehicle expenses in a strained economyFrom the rising cost of food, clothing, and the other necessities, the list of things connected to the price of fuel can be daunting. While this knock-on effect to the everyday consumer is impossible to get away from, there are a few things that motorists can do to limit the effects of the changing fuels prices on their already constrained budgets. Photo by Torsten Dettlaff© from Pexels Manage your fuel spend accurately Calculating and managing fuel spend is not an enjoyable task and one that many of us let slide. However, there are easier ways to do this, such as Vehicle Tracking Applications that can help you manage your vehicle data, including fuel expenses. This allows you to make use of the data and insights from the tracking device to calculate your fuel consumption per trip. This information can then be used to inform your driving decisions such as choosing shorter, more cost-effective routes for example. What’s more though, is that you are also able to monitor your driving style – by reducing speeding, revving, and excessive idling, it is proven to impact the fuel consumption of your vehicle. Understanding the fuel network You do not have to be an economist to ensure you prepare for the uncertainties of life financially. Make sure you understand how fuel hikes will affect not only your vehicle expenses but the overall effect it will have on the market and your budget. Understanding that the cost of fuel directly impacts the cost of groceries, for example, can help you make smarter choices when choosing products. You should know the prices of your regular grocery items, so you can simply check the prices and adjust your choices. Planning your trips Being more selective with the trips you are taking and planning your routes well will help reduce fuel spend. Fortunately, for many, there are not that many school trips, meetings or drives to the office taking place during the lockdown and so, saving some money on fuel becomes a little easier. If you live close to work, school or the shop, rather consider walking there than taking the car. Adopt savvy driver behaviourOther helpful motoring tips that can make a difference to your fuel consumption and save you money include:
About the authorRichard Coates, sales director for Matrix and Beame |