Get behind the wheel of something you love - while staying in budget

The car search has started - tabs are open, favorites are saved and yes, you've already picked a color! But before things go any further, there's one question worth answering: what's your budget?

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Let’s be honest – look at the real monthly math

Here’s the thing about car budgets: the payment gets all the attention, but it’s not the whole story. The real number is what it takes to own the car without your budget constantly asking, “Are we sure about this?”

A simple way to estimate a more realistic cost is to add up:

• Car payment: $400/month
• Insurance: $150/month
• Gas/Tolls: $300+/month
• Maintenance fund: $50/month

That's $900+ per month going toward your vehicle - not the $400 payment. And we didn’t factor in the air freshener and fuzzy dice for the rearview.

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Before you head to the dealership, land on a number that feels good in real life — not one that only works if everything goes perfectly. Your car is going to be part of your everyday life, from baseball practices to weekend getaways, so make sure the payment leaves room for the fun stuff, too.

One last gut check before you sign on the dotted line: If you're going to spend years driving this vehicle, it should make you happy every time you get behind the wheel.

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_{Exeter Finance LLC is not a credit repair agency or licensed credit counselor. Exeter does not offer services to fix or improve credit scores. These tips are intended for general educational purposes and should not be construed as legal, financial, or credit repair advice.}