Archive for December, 2011

Student Saving Tips

Saving money is important, especially if you are a student dealing with a tight budget. To cut back on car costs this Christmas season, look over the tips found below. 

1. Share a Car with a Fellow Student or Friend

If you wish to go anywhere during the holiday season, it may be in your best interest to share a car with somebody you trust.

Maybe you want to go to the movies, or perhaps you simply need to pick up a few things at a store. Ask the people around you, be they a neighbour, a family member or a friend, if they are running any errands or taking on any activities that could correspond with your own. If they are, go along with them and have them drop you off when everything is done. 

Of course you can find someone on goCarShare too.

2. Look for Cheaper Insurance If It Is Time to Renew

If it is time to renew your car insurance, it would be in your best interest to find a provider with cheaper options.

Car insurance for young drivers can be expensive, and both parents and the young driver can suffer with their finances as a result.

Do some research online to find a company with low prices. Check reviews from past and current customers to discover if there have been any problems with a certain company. Finding cheaper car insurance for young drivers may seem difficult, but with some effort and feedback from other people, you can find something that works for you.

3. Do Not Drive Unless Necessary

Another way to save money on your car involves driving only when it is absolutely necessary. Some students are restless when they do not have to attend any classes or tackle homework; as a result, they are tempted to take their car out and drive it anywhere and everywhere. This can result in more gas that needs to be purchased, leading to more money spent. If you need to go somewhere, see if you can get somebody to give you a ride, as mentioned in the tip above. If this is not an option, use your car.

4. Have the Car Checked By a Professional

The health of your car is important. If it is not in good shape, you cannot expect it to work as it should. If you live in an area that deals with severe winter conditions, make sure that you have an auto mechanic look over your car before snow falls.

A professional will be able to spot any problems before they become too serious. You should make sure that your heater, brakes, tires and so on are not worn or in trouble in any way. Should something break down, you could end up paying a large bill, or become stranded at the worst possible time. If you take precautions, however, you should be fine.

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Now look here students!

Now look here students… we’d really like to get as many of you sharing journeys with each other as possible. So here goes:

Please add a request, whether you need a cheap lift back, or you think that you’ll have space in your car and could do with someone chipping in for petrol money.

Here are some of the pages St Andrews, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester… or you can find your uni on our University page.

You’ll notice that lots of people have already added requests, which is great, but it would be good if you could help us get the word spreading word further.

Basically the vision for this is big – it will mean that whenever you are heading out of town, you’ll be able to share the ride with a friend of friend, even choose to share the journey with someone who likes the same music.

It’s kind of a case of you help us and we help you, you scratch our back and we’ll scratch yours, or something like that.

So here’s the ask… copy and paste this into your Facebook status…

‘For those about to goCarShare – We Salute You!’.

That’s it! Yes it’s a bit silly, maybe even a bit embarrassing. But we are in this together, remember!

Take care,

The goCarShare Team