Is your current car on its last legs?  Are you ready to spring for a new one? Whether you are wanting to pay cash for one, or, if you are planning to finance a car, you will need to save up some money (if financing, you still need a down payment).  

Here are some tips for saving for a that you should start now so you are ready to go!

• Figure out how much you need.  If you are planning to finance a car, strive to have at least 10% down on a used car, or 20% down on a new car.  Or, if you plan to pay for the car in cash, know what price range you are looking in.
• Cut out unnecessary expenses.  If you haven’t cut cable yet, now is the time.  Also, stop going to restaurants and spending money unnecessarily so that you can put that money toward your goal.
• Expect other expenses.  With a new car comes other expenses such as higher insurance, registration fees, etc.  Make sure you budget for these expenses in addition to the cost of the car itself.
• Clean up your current car.  A great way to cut down on the cost of the new car is to sell your current car and put the money toward the new one.  In order to get the most money out of it though, be sure to spend some time cleaning it up, or spend some money and have it detailed.  A clean car will always sell better than a dirty one.
• Sell your stuff.  When you are needing to come up with a significant amount of money, it’s always a good idea to take a look around at your home, closets and garages to find unused items that you might be able to sell.  This is my favorite way to raise money, because it also means that you are clearing clutter!

When was the last time you bought a car?  How did you prepare for the expense?