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Posts about Auto (2)

family-purchasing-a-car-at-dealership

Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Car?

By: American Heritage 06.09.22 3 minute read Auto

Along with buying a house, getting an education, and starting a family, choosing a vehicle is one of the biggest financial and lifestyle decisions you’ll make. And whether you’re a new driver or you have millions of miles behind you, you might be wondering if it’s better to buy or lease your next ride. First off, let’s take a look at some numbers. If you have a make and model in mind and know the purchase price and lease price, you can use our free online buy vs. lease calculator to estimate your monthly payment for each scenario. For now, here’s a simplified example:

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handing-over-keys-to-new-car

Need a New Vehicle? Here’s How to Sell Your Car

By: Holly Love 05.12.22 3 minute read Auto

It’s time to upgrade your vehicle to something that better suits your lifestyle and needs, but what’s the best way to get rid of your old car? If it is in good condition, many owners choose to sell their car to put money towards the cost of the next one. Selling a car is not as simple as selling other belongings and requires additional effort and paperwork. In this blog, we break down the process for car owners to pass on the keys.

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washing-car-in-spring

Get Your Vehicle Spring-Ready in 7 Steps

By: Kirstin Wilson 03.18.22 2 minute read Auto

With the warmer months right around the corner, our spring-cleaning list usually includes tasks like decluttering closets, storing away snow supplies, and even organizing finances for the year. One task that should not go overlooked is keeping your vehicle up to date with the season! Getting your vehicle in tip-top shape can save you money down the road and can protect you and your family from preventable hazards. The outside of your vehicle will show the most noticeable effects of the winter months. Most of your vehicle’s mechanical work will need the help from a professional, but you can easily do your surface level cleaning yourself, like removing unnecessary items and trash, as well as shampooing and vacuuming the seats and floors. Additional repairs and updates your vehicle may need include:

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Several friends ride together on ATVs

What to Consider Before Buying Your First RV, Boat, ATV, or Motorcycle

By: American Heritage 09.16.21 3 minute read Auto

Nothing beats spending time in the great outdoors, but having the right equipment on hand can make each outing more fun and exciting. If you’re thinking of buying your first outdoor toy – whether it’s a boat, motorcycle, ATV, or RV – congratulations! It’s a big step toward helping you and your loved ones have fun away from the TV.

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a couple looking interested in refinancing

Big Purchases: When to Save & When to Borrow

By: American Heritage 07.23.20 3 minute read Auto Savings & Budgeting

When you’re looking at a big-ticket purchase, one question always comes up: Should you pay with your savings or finance it? Or, if it’s a new home or car, how much of the purchase price should you pay up front, and how much should you borrow? There is no simple answer. On the one hand, paying in cash can keep you out of debt. On the other hand, large cash purchases could wipe out much of your savings, while borrowing can help ensure you have more savings available for emergencies. There are many factors to consider. Ask yourself these eight questions to figure out whether you should pay cash or use financing for your next big purchase.

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A line of cars in traffic in the snow

Prepare Your Car for Winter in 10 Steps

By: Holly Love 12.10.19 2 minute read Auto

Don't get stuck in the snow this season! It's important to get your vehicle ready for heavy weather as soon as temperatures start to drop, since you never know when the next storm will hit. Not sure where to start? Use these ten steps as a checklist towards safer winter driving.

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Car sales lot with a variety of vehicles.

How to Finance Your Next Vehicle

By: American Heritage 07.11.19 3 minute read Auto

We all need reliable, affordable transportation. For many of us, an auto loan is essential when it’s time to buy our next new or used vehicle. The type of financing you choose and the lender you turn to for your loan is a bigger deal than you might think. Over your lifetime, you’ll probably own many different vehicles. You will likely spend more money on these vehicles and related expenses than you’ll spend on your home. In fact, an AAA study suggests you’ll spend between $6,000 and $9,000 per year on fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, fees, depreciation, and interest. That’s a lot of money.

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Buying a used car

The Ultimate Used Car Buying Guide

By: American Heritage 02.26.19 4 minute read Auto

You’ve probably heard that a car is the second-largest purchase the typical American makes after their home, but when comparing the numbers, that’s not really true. It might seem like it, since the median home price in the U.S. was around $240,000 last year, while a new Honda Civic starts at about one-tenth as much. When you look a little deeper, though, you’ll probably only ever own one home at a time, and when you sell it, you’ll get your money back. You might even make a profit on the sale.

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