Saving Money at the Carwash |
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Levi Quinn
SubmitYOURArticle.com
May 24, 2011
If you enjoy having your car washed every two weeks or so, you might not realize how much this amount adds up over the course of one year. You might even be sending close to $500 annually just to have your car cleaned. Well it's great to have a spotless car, it's even better to have an extra $400 in your pocket. Here are a few tips that will allow you to save on your next trip to the carwash:
• Take some time. Let's face it, there is really no need for you to go to the car wash every two weeks, unless your job is to take your car through mud pits on a daily basis. Try going every month instead of every two weeks, plus this will give you an extra incentive to keep your car cleaned by your own means.
• Cheap vs. Expensive. It's okay to get the least expensive package, after all the basic clean-up job is all you should need. Sometimes there is just one extra incentive in the "gold" package compared to that of the "bronze," and is one extra upgrade really worth $10? Probably not, instead do the "extra" incentive yourself. For example, if the gold package cleans or dresses your tires, just do it yourself when you get home.
• Tip wisely. Yes, tipping people for excellent service is great and sometimes really warranted, but don't over tip. Car wash attendants usually get paid a standard amount that is above minimum wage and tips are just an extra incentive for them. Try to stay between 10 to 15 percent for tips, which can save you a couple hundred dollars when all is said and done at the end of the year.
• Still take care of your car. Just because you're getting your car cleaned doesn't mean you can treat it poorly the rest of the time. If you want to save money then hold on to your car for a long time instead of buying a new one every couple of years. You can feel good about this decision when you treat your car like the investment it is.
• Cover your car. If you can't park in a garage or other sheltered space, cover your car. This will save on trips to the car wash and protects your car from harmful weather conditions, including rain, snow and sun damage. A cover can protect your car's paint by shielding it from dents and scratches.
• Walk those extra steps. When parking in a public lot, park far away from other cars. Yes, you'll have to walk an extra minute or two, but isn't it worth it? Your car is less likely to be dented from close parking accidents and door slams. Additionally, parking farther away will probably put you out of the way of trees and other natural landmarks that could cause your car to be lined with dirt, debris and bird waste.
Taking these few precautionary steps will help you save on the amount of money you spend at the car wash and still keep your car relatively clean. Remember, you can treat your car to a wash every once in a while, but cutting back will save you some serious dough.
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