New Grad Needs New Car...Now What?

Establish a Budget

When coming up with a budget for your car, consider all your monthly costs including rent, bills and student loans. This will help you stay within the limits of what you can afford so you don’t get in over your head with payments. Setting realistic goals will help you manage other financial areas, too.


Take your Time

Don’t rush the process. Look at as many cars as you want and take notes (you should be a pro by now!) so you can remember all the important facts. Car and Driver advises you not to purchase your car on the first visit. Take at least a night to think about your decision. You’ll be driving this new car for several years – you should be comfortable and happy with your decision.


Take a Test Drive

During your test drive, be sure to test the brakes and lights while driving on both slow roads and busy freeways. Don’t forget to check out the passenger seats. The more time you spend with a car during a test drive, the more accurate your evaluation will be.

5 Cute Car Dates

1. Go to the drive-in. Nothing says romance like buttered popcorn, a large soda with two straws, and snuggling up to a good movie in a really cool car.
2. Hit the tracks! Did you know that you can go to a racetrack and speed around as fast as your heart desires? Warning: This one is not for the faint of heart.
3. Go off-roading. If you want to get down and dirty, there is nothing better than an SUV/truck and a whole lot of rough terrain.
4. Cruise away. A nice leisurely drive with good tunes is a classic date that will never go out of style. For bonus points, choose a destination that is slightly off the beaten path and has some quirkiness and charm.
5. Car day. Set aside a Saturday and plan to wash your vehicles as a couple.  This is a great way to be productive, spend quality time together, and have fun.

Vehicle Accessories that Make Us Scratch Our Heads

Antenna toppers: The Jack in the Box one comes to mind.

Car lashes: As if fake lashes on chicks weren't bad enough.

The bra: the car equivalent of wearing socks

with saddles.

Spinning rims: We're still dizzy trying to figure this one out.

Curb feelers: sort of like a grown man keeping training wheels on his bike. You know how to park, right?

Swangas: Surely inspired by Madonna's cone bra circa 1990.

What would you add to this list?

DIY Car Air Freshener

Give mom's car a touch of DIY elegance with a natural air freshener!

You will need: 1 orange, 20 cloves, and some ribbon.

Step 1: Poke cloves into the orange, distributing them evenly.

Step 2: Tie the ribbon around the orange, creating a cage of ribbon around it. Leave some length at the end to tie in a loop.

Step 3: Secure it to the rear view mirror using the loop of ribbon and voila!

When the sun shines through the windshield it will heat the oranges and cloves creating a pleasant relaxing aroma. Martha Stewart and Lauren Conrad have nothing on you!