Six Steps to Curb Expenses Behind the Wheel

Do you hear the sound of change falling out of your pockets every time you turn over your car's engine? Ever feel like you spend enough on gas, repairs and insurance to finance the national debt? Driving is more expensive than ever these days, so if you're feeling stressed by vehicle-related costs, you're not alone.

You can, however, curb auto expenses, saving yourself some cash and relieving stress at the same time. Start with these hints to help point you in the right direction:

1. Drive conservatively. No one likes to think they drive like a granny; but the average granny spends less on gas than a younger driver with a lead foot. Moderate speeds, smooth turns and lane changes-and calm, nonaggressive driving-really do conserve gas. In fact, some studies show conservative driving can reduce gas consumption by up to 30 percent.

2. Practice regular maintenance. Small problems don't go away if left unattended; they just get worse. It's easier and cheaper to follow the recommended maintenance schedule than to pay for a costly repair once a minor problem snowballs into a larger one. So keep up with oil changes and tire rotation, and perform regular checks of your vehicle's key systems-including the brakes-for maximum savings on car repair.

3. Join an auto club or pay for towing insurance. Memberships like these can be purchased for around $50 a year-far less than the average cost of a single tow. Adding towing insurance to your car policy is equally cost-effective. If you own an older model and can reasonably expect to need just one tow a year, take steps to cover that cost before it occurs.

4. Comparison shop for auto insurance. You're almost guaranteed to find a better deal if you shop online at sites like www.InsureMe.com. It's easy to find cheap car insurance through the site's database of thousands of insurance providers across the country. Complete a simple form asking for auto insurance quotes, and within 48 hours you can talk to agents from top companies in your area and get the affordable policy you need.