Njaanuary Hacks: How To Budget For Car Repairs In January
Ah, njaanuary! The bonfire has burned out, the sherehe beats are fading, and the reality of January is knocking on your door incessantly. All the glitz of the festive period is replaced by looming school fees, due rent, and other pending bills while your bank account is starting the new year on a clean slate…. View Article
Ah, njaanuary! The bonfire has burned out, the sherehe beats are fading, and the reality of January is knocking on your door incessantly. All the glitz of the festive period is replaced by looming school fees, due rent, and other pending bills while your bank account is starting the new year on a clean slate. On top of all these, car repairs are still waiting for you!
Is there a cost-effective way to budget for car repairs in January? The naysayers will tell you that you either choose to pay rent and school fees or drive to work. But we’re here to tell you that it’s possible to navigate the Njaanuary car repair storm without sinking financially.
Here’s how:
First, Know Your Car (and What Needs Fixing)
Nothing excites a roadside mechanic more than a car owner who has no idea what’s wrong with their car. You don’t have to be a petrolhead, but at least know the telltale signs of trouble before your car stalls and repairs become expensive. The screeching sounds you hear, is it the brakes or something else?
Knowing your car (and what needs fixing) will also help you to prioritize repairs and only spend on what’s necessary. Additionally, it can help you determine which repairs you can DIY and which ones need a professional touch. This leads us to our second tip…
Learn DIY car maintenance
One major way to save on car repairs is to learn how to do the simple and basic maintenance tasks yourself. While major repairs need a professional to handle, there are easy tasks you can do and save money. For example, you can replace the air filter, clean the battery terminals, and replace worn-out wiper blades.
Here are the basic DIY car maintenance skills you should know.
Third, Prioritize Like a Pro
Your car got a scratch during one of your holiday safaris and needs buffing? That can wait until payday. What about the sputtering engine sounds whenever you turn the car on? That needs immediate attention! Budgeting for car repairs is all about knowing what needs urgent action and what can wait for a brighter day.
You can categorize your car issues into three groups:
- Emergency: These are issues that you need to fix immediately or you’ll get stranded. Examples include an overheating engine or failing brakes.
- Important: Just a level below emergency issues. These impact safety and performance, for example, malfunctioning lights and worn-out tires.
- Non-Critical Issues: These are non-urgent issues that are just annoying but don’t pose any immediate danger. For example, that wonky wiper blade can wait. So can the door that won’t close without a bang.
Always deal with the emergencies and importants first, and tackle the non-criticals when your financial stars realign.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
The golden rule of car ownership: regular maintenance saves you money in the long run. Sticking to your car’s service schedule may seem like a chore, but it prevents small issues from morphing into expensive nightmares. Think of it as an investment in your car’s future well-being.
The Ultimate Tip: Peach Car Care
Need convenient, transparent, and affordable car repair services in Nairobi? Try Peach Car Care. We bring top-of-the-shelf car repair services to you at affordable rates. Budgeting for car repairs in January doesn’t have to be a tear-jerker. By prioritizing, being resourceful, and calling in the experts at Peach, you can keep your car going even as your bank account tries to recover from the December festivities.