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Over the past couple of years, more and more people have been considering investing in a car. If you don’t have a car yet, you might still be mulling the decision over. Having your own car comes hand in hand with a host of perks. During the course of the pandemic, an increasing number of people have been reluctant to spend time on public transport. Travelling on your own in your own vehicle has inherently less risk in regards to contracting the virus as opposed to travelling in a closed carriage or bus with countless other people. But there are countless other reasons to get your own car too. Right now, a car could be a great investment for your career and your ability to make as much money as possible. For many, a car is becoming a professional investment to propel a career forward. Here are just a few areas of consideration you might want to take into account before making the big decision.
The Perks
So, what are the perks of getting a car for your career? Here are a few points that you might not have thought about before.
- Wider choice of positions – having a car opens up a lot more work opportunities, as you can apply for jobs anywhere you’re willing to take the time to travel to. When you don’t have a car, you’re reliant on workplaces that are close to public transport links. Options out in the countryside or in any places that aren’t right next to a bus stop or train station become unfeasible or highly inconvenient to consider. When you have a car, your only limitation is how far you’re willing to drive each day.
- Night shifts – when you have a car, you can work unsociable hours when public transport may not be in operation, for example, night shifts.
- Saving time – when you rely on public transport, you can find that it takes you a lot longer to get from your home to the workplace and vice versa. You will have to stop in multiple places rather than going straight from home to work. If you have to switch buses or trains, you may also have periods of time simply waiting around for the next transport option to turn up. When you drive, you simply account for the time it takes to actually get from A to B.
- Cost – depending on where you need to travel, and depending on what type of car you choose, you could find that having a car is more cost effective than paying for train passes, bus passes or other options to get to and from work.
Budget
A car is likely to be the second biggest financial investment you make in your life. For most people, a car is the second biggest monthly outgoing from their bank account, only exceeded by rent or mortgage payments. So, you’re going to want to make sure that you can actually afford a car before getting one. Creating a budget and choosing a car within your budget can make or break your finances. To come up with a budget, consider your take home pay, deduct essential living costs (such as rent or mortgage payments, energy bills, water bills, grocery shopping and other financial commitments) and see what disposable income you have left. Then consider how much of this you can afford to dedicate to a car. Remember, a car costs more than just the initial outlay or monthly finance payments. You’ll also have to account for car insurance, fuel, auto service, MOTs and unexpected repair costs.
Choosing a Vehicle
If a car is within your budget, it’s time to start choosing a vehicle. Browse different options within your budget. Then, you need to consider what will suit you and meet your needs. Do you have to carry a lot of stock or professional materials around? You’ll need something with five doors and more boot space. Will you be driving in the city or more rural areas? This will help you to determine whether a city car will be fine or whether you need something more rugged with four wheel drive. Only you can know what will be practical for you. Don’t get overly caught up in brands, appearances and other elements of a car.
These are just the basics of professional vehicles. Hopefully, some of the information above should help you to make the right call on whether invest in a car for your career is worth it or not.