3.4.3. Saving for a car
You should aspire to save some amount each month toward the goal of purchasing your next car
for cash so you can avoid paying interest on a loan. One strategy is to purchase a less expensive used
car for cash, save monthly toward the next car, and then use the savings plus the proceeds from the
sale of your first car to purchase a better used car. Continue this program until you have a suitable
car. You may discover during the process that you are quite happy with a loan-free used car rather
than a newer car that comes with the financial stress of a loan payment. If you already have a car
loan, think of ways to earn extra money and then allocate those funds and any windfalls (e.g., bonuses
and cash gifts) to paying off the loan early. Then, instead of making loan payments, save the payment
amount (and any additional savings you can muster) each month in your car fund. Stay focused on
the additional financial flexibility you will have once the loan payment is gone!
To determine your monthly savings goal, first decide how many years in the future you will need
to buy a new (for you) car and estimate the cost. Also estimate the amount you should be able to sell
your current car for at that time. You can then calculate the amount of monthly savings needed to
purchase that car. You may need to adjust length of time for saving and/or the cost of the car to make
this strategy work. Stick to your plan and do not give in to the notion that “I will always have a car
payment.”