When purchasing a vehicle the price itself can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips that will help you to save your money.

1. When looking for a car, look for a used one. Think about long-term payments, what you can afford.
2. Purchase flat out, meaning pay it in full. If you pay it in full, you will save on the interest rates, time and gas to make the payments, and additional fees that are associated with making payments.
3. Shop around for insurance; this could save you a couple of hundred dollars each month in insurance. 
4. Pay your car insurance once every six months or once a year if your insurance company offers it.
5. Use the grade of gas recommended by the factory. The only thing that the grade does is prevent the knocking noise in the engine. If you use a higher grade of gas, it can cost you up to twenty cents more per gallon.
6. If you are able to do the work yourself then do it. Change the oil or shop around to find the best price for you. Replace your own wiper blades and purchase them at low cost. Shop around. 
7. Keep your receipts on all work you have done. This will save you money if you have a warranty on the part(s) in question. 
8. Start with the cheaper parts of the car. If the car is overheating and you do not see steam coming from under the hood but feel it is the radiator, check the thermostat first.
9. When you see the Check Engine light come on take it to a parts store. Most of the time, they will offer a free computer check to see what the computer is saying needs to be done. 
10. Keep you tires properly inflated and tune up done to the factories specs, this will help to save on gas.
11. Change the tires yourself; it is better to know how to change a flat then to pay someone to do it for you. 
12. Wash the car yourself; this will save you money and ensure it is how you want it done.