As the price of gas continues to climb, there is the inevitable chatter in the office, among friends, and via chain e-mails, that perhaps it’s time we organize boycotts of certain gas station brands – or stop buying petroleum at all – at least for a day. Unfortunately, such a boycott would be useless. [...]

Leasing your car is an expensive way to get around. And if you suddenly find yourself unable to afford your existing auto lease, you can’t just put your car up for sale or run to the dealer to trade it in. But what most don’t know is: Yes, you can get out of a car lease without hurting your credit. Here’s how. [...]

Once upon a time, the only certainties in life were “death and taxes.” Today, it’s safe to say we can add a third — rising gas prices. The price of fuel keeps going up, with nary an end in sight. Need some ways to save on gas? Here are ten driving habits that cost big bucks, and how to change them. [...]

True penny pinchers always buy used cars over new ones for one rock solid reason: new cars depreciate by thousands of dollars the second you drive off the lot. But three years ago, before my financial epiphany, I bought a new car, and I don’t regret it. I concede that buying used is usually best, but there are times buying new isn’t as bad as some say. [...]

Have you every considered a long distance commute to take a better job or to live where you want? If so, exactly how much would that long distance commute cost? [...]

Less than two years after buying a new pickup truck, I had received not one, but two grapefruit-sized dents – one for each side – thanks to two different drivers’ reluctance to use a rear-view mirror. [...]

Ever wonder about 0% loans? Are they too good to be true? And if so, why would the company even offer it? [...]

Your car. You love it when it takes you to work or through winding mountains on a weekend escape. When it comes time for oil changes and tune-ups, however, your car stereo plays a different tune.

For many even minor car repairs can put a dent in your wallet, let alone the inevitable but unpredictable major system failures. When you bust a radiator, fuel pump, alternator, clutch or AC compressor, it will be the mechanic – not your car – taking you for a ride. [...]

Car insurance. You hate paying for it until you need it. And a few months later you hate paying for it again. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually get a cheaper car insurance policy? The ads claim you can save on car insurance just by switching companies, but getting the lowest car insurance rates takes more than choosing the right insurer. [...]

In February 2004 I worked one educational month as a car salesman. I learned you don’t need a full set of teeth to be a winning car salesman and the nicer a salesman is to a customer, the more that customer overpays. I also learned the car salesman’s playbook. And of course, I’m willing to share. If you want to protect your wallet when you’re buying a new car, here’s how to beat auto dealerships at their own game.

Be Prepared

Even if you deflect the sleaziest sales schemes dealers dish out, you can’t get a good deal without some homework. Don’t step into a showroom without reliability, safety, and pricing information (try Edmunds.com). You should know the mark-up of the car’s sticker price and how much the dealer expects to profit. It makes it almost impossible for the dealers to bluff when you already see their cards.

Call First

Auto makers and dealers do everything in their power to make car buying an emotional experience. They have you sit in plush new leather, soak up new car smell, and punch the gas and hug the turns on the test drive. The salesmen hope, by the time you talk price, you want the car so badly you’ll okay the first number thrown at you. But, ask for the dealer’s best price over the phone, you axe their edge. Lucky enough to snag a telephone quote? It will almost always beat a quote from the showroom. But be warned: Good dealers will smooth talk you into making an “appointment” at the dealership without giving a price.

Hide Your Trade

If you plan to trade in your existing vehicle, don’t let the dealership know it until you have agreed on the price of the new car. Tell them you definitely don’t have a trade-in and then act like you changed your mind. The reason? Dealers use their profit margin on the new car price to make it seem like they are paying thousands of dollars more for your trade-in. Only when you handle the new car and the trade-in separately can you get good deals on both.

Talk Price, Not Payment

“Payment” is a car salesman’s favorite word—and not just when it refers to his commission check. Dealerships love to quote cars in terms of the monthly payment, leaving the purchase price out of the equation until the papers are signed. In the negotiation process dealers try to lower the monthly payment by extending the loan term rather than cutting the purchase price.

Be Patient

Negotiations are tests of will-power. Who will cave first? Dealerships make you wait to get you dreaming about your new wheels. Why not bite back? Car salesmen’s commissions are based on volume. They want to sell lots of cars fast. And unless you’re shopping for a rare model, there will plenty of cars left tomorrow, but with every day that goes by the dealer will grow anxious wondering whether you changed your mind or found a better deal. Use time in your favor to get dealers to provide even more price concessions.

Go Rate Shopping

You wouldn’t negotiate with car salesmen without the car’s average price; you shouldn’t negotiate an auto loan without information, either. If you can, get your credit report before buying a car.

Apply for an auto loan online or from your local bank or credit union and take the approval with you to the dealership. You may get an even better rate from the dealer. Worried about too many credit applications? True, multiple credit inquiries can negatively affect your credit score. The good news? Credit bureaus now count multiple inquiries within a month as one.