Pet peeves — we’ve all got ’em. For me personally, other people’s aggressive or careless driving spikes my blood pressure. We all have to share the road, and in addition to putting other people at risk, being an inconsiderate driver can also cost you money.
If you’re hoping not to drain your checking account with your comings and goings each day, check out these four expensive driving habits to avoid.
This is a major way you’re spending more money than you need to on car ownership. Auto insurance is required for drivers in all 50 states, and even if it wasn’t, going without is a terrible idea. In the event of an accident, you could find yourself out thousands of dollars if you have to pay for repairs to your own vehicle and that of other drivers, not to mention the cost of medical bills.
Luckily, it’s not hard to shop around for auto insurance every year. You can use an insurance broker to compare options, or take matters into your own hands. Research the best auto insurance companies, use their websites to get quotes, and see which is the best fit for the coverage you need at the right price.
You’ll need a place to keep the money you save on auto insurance. Check out our top picks for high-yield savings accounts to watch that cash grow with interest.
2. Driving aggressively
Dangerous driving could be making your life more expensive, not to mention making the drivers around you angry and afraid. The Department of Energy found that speeding and rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gas mileage by 15% to 30% on the highway and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. That’s the equivalent of paying $0.38 to $1.53 more per gallon.
In addition, you’re sure to see your auto insurance premiums increase if your behavior results in an accident. So reduce your speed, don’t tailgate other drivers, and remember that everyone deserves to arrive at their destination safe and alive. You might also consider taking a defensive driving course — I’ve done this twice now and currently enjoy 10% off my auto insurance premiums as a result.
3. Using the wrong credit card to buy gas
Speaking of gas, how are you paying for it? There are a lot of great options for credit cards that pay rewards on gas purchases, so if you’re not using one, you’re missing out.
I always use a card that gives me 3% cash back on my gas purchases. Check out our picks for gas rewards credit cards to find one that will maximize your rewards at the pump.
Since I work from home most of the time, I don’t buy gas often, but earning that money back when I do improves my bottom line. As a bonus, I also feel pretty safe paying for gas with a credit card thanks to robust fraud protections.
4. Overloading your vehicle
Having too much weight in your vehicle will cost you in gas. The Department of Energy’s data says that having a rooftop cargo box can mean a loss of 2% to 17% in your fuel economy, or the equivalent of paying $0.08 to $0.65 more per gallon of gas, depending on whether you’re driving in the city or at highway speeds.
And for every 100 pounds extra you’re hauling, you’re reducing your miles per gallon by 1%. We’ve all fallen into the trap of driving around with extra junk in our vehicles. So, now is a great time to drop those boxes off at the dump or Goodwill — your fuel economy will thank you.
Your habits behind the wheel and in service of driving have the power to either save you money or cost you money. Use these tips to cut your costs and become a safer (and richer) driver.