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NerdWallet’s Guide to Buying a Car
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10 steps to buy a car the NerdWallet way
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- Will food prices go down in 2024?
- Work full time for a qualifying employer
- 3. Rewards aren't competitive
- Money Vigilance
- YNAB
- Time and labor management
- How to get paid
- REITs' average return
- Is an annuity a good choice for your retirement?
- What happens when mortgage forbearance ends?
- Is DIY an option?
- What happens when the Fed raises interest rates?
- View pool status
- How much are Citi ThankYou® points worth?
- Why is Bitcoin still popular?
- How is discretionary income calculated?
- What happens if Chevron is overturned?
- Home equity loans pros and cons
- 3. American Airlines AAdvantage
- Card readers and apps
- The cheapest Southwest fares: Southwest Wanna Get Away fare vs. Anytime fare
- Taxes and fees
- Differences between recourse and non-recourse factoring
- Personal loan vs. auto loan terms
- 1. Look at the company’s price-to-earnings ratio and market cap
- Are physician home loans a good idea?
- 3. Prove income or savings balance
- A credit score over 620
- Who can open a joint business account
- Compare personal loans
- How to check your credit score without hurting it
- Where have franchise taxes been eliminated?
- How much does it cost to buy Vanguard index fund shares?
- 3. Active investing
- When you should lock your mortgage rate
- Pressure to overspend
- What crowdfunding tax documents do I need?
- Use the travel credit
- 20% of your income: savings and debt
- 4.5-star plans
- Lounge perks
- What the American Opportunity Credit is worth
- 5. A portable smartphone power bank
- Operations and management
- Group life insurance
- Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account
- Water
- 1. Health care and consumer staples stocks
- 8. Cinnabon
- What the seller gets out of it
- How to unfreeze your credit
- Unlimited music streaming
- 2. The ongoing APR is high
- Cash reserves
- How to know which premium travel credit card is best for you
- Credit card spending
- Credit Karma
- Gig work holds little attraction
- Does paying medical bills build credit?
- The Federal Trade Commission’s budget worksheet
- 3. Choose how much you want to invest
- Consider gift exemption limits for direct gifts
- DFW Terminal A
- Best in Texas for having few consumer complaints: Chubb
- Equity financing, including angel investment and venture capital
- Conventional loan limits
- 6. The Plaza Restaurant
- Goodbudget, for hands-on envelope budgeting
- 2. As an early step toward passing down wealth
- 1. Multiply your income by 10
- 3. Set up balance alerts to stay on top of spending
- 4. Investigate vacation, sick leave
- 203(k) eligible projects
- Managing debt
- A few tips about giving gift cards
- 1. High-yield savings accounts
- 3. Claiming too many charitable donations
- Who collects TX sales tax?
- Installment credit
- 3. Decide where to buy mutual funds
- American Airlines premium economy vs. Main Cabin Extra
- Fees in place of interest
- Contributions are tax-free
- It can be costly to end your lease early
- 7. Curate subscription boxes
- Step 4: Refine your withholdings
- New York state supplemental income tax
- Your tax rates now vs. later
- Local sales
- Consider seeking professional tax advice
- 4. You can walk your dog
- Why is net worth important?
- 4. Consider your spouse
- Alternatives to a cash-out refinance
- Talent acquisition
- Rental car insurance vs. your own auto insurance
- The impact of payday loans
- Gusto Impact Award
- 3. Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
- Cheap car insurance in California by age
- Qualifying for a second mortgage
- JetBlue’s points pooling rules
- Travel
- Formal two weeks’ notice template
- Help you choose or switch repayment plans
- Should you use buy now, pay later?
- Types of financial aid
- 4. Find the right car for you
- Best insurance company overall: Travelers
- How does Spotify fit into your budget?
- Should you consider bankruptcy?
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- 4. Claim a free meal or overnight accommodation on certain delays
- 4. The APR is 0%
- Sling TV extras
- 2. Incorporation fees: Under $300
- Pros and cons of an interest-only mortgage
- IRS business forms for partnerships
- Tips for avoiding late payments
- Cons of booking through online travel agencies
- 3. Use a retirement calculator
- PenFed: Best for a seamless application process
- Is the American Opportunity Tax Credit refundable?
- It’s not only about taxes
- 2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
- Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, OfferUp
- During and after a disaster
- Take shorter showers
- Money Status
- How to use a dependent care FSA
- 9. Cold Stone Creamery
- Will there still be delays to packages?
- Whole Foods deals
- What doesn’t impact your life insurance premium
- Documentation
- 3. They're made of heavy metal
- Mortgage insurance
- How families can manage costs of student loan debt
- Kirkland’s
- Progressive
- 4. Your account is available immediately upon approval
- 3. Pay off your balance
- CalHFA Zero Interest Program
- About home equity lines of credit
- 4. Virgin Atlantic
- Point-of-sale hardware
- Making money with Wag
- Issuer restrictions
- If you are converting your 401(k) to an IRA
- Allow up to 50% of your income for needs
- 7. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
- Selling vested shares
- Factor in other costs
- 4. Award tickets get free changes
- Prepaid 529 plans by state
- Should you get a home equity loan or HELOC?
- April
- How much should you spend on a mattress?
- 4. Pay a few months’ rent upfront as a security deposit
- 3. Swagbucks
- Frugal DIY project tips
- Simplify your ‘payment due’ dates
- Building your credit score
- How long will it take to pre-qualify?
- How much is franchise tax and how to calculate it?
- Take out student loans
- Banner customer complaints and satisfaction
- Service credit
- Eliminate mortgage insurance
- When should I receive my 1099?
- Why some travelers might choose the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- What is a good business credit score?
- Why is there an egg shortage?
- Account growth is tax-free
- 'Tricking' yourself into paying more
- But wait, there’s more
- Find out how much home equity you have
- 6. Investing for teens
- Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
- If your tax rate is low now and you expect it to be higher in retirement
- Getting life insurance as a small-business owner
- Win a gig and get to work
- Coverage outside your home
- Be proactive about bills
- Factors to consider before paying rent with a credit card
- How to qualify for first-time home buyer benefits
- Reasons for unfreezing your credit
- Talent management
- What is my Georgia residency status for state income tax purposes?
- 3. Note the exclusions in the fine print
- City of Orlando Business Assistance Program
- Types of REITs
- How long does mortgage forbearance last?
- Apply for a Delta SkyMiles credit card
- History of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
- Goodbudget
- How to find another company's EIN
- What to do once your Equifax credit freeze is in place
- Seller concessions
- Why you might want a joint credit card account
- The upside of quitting without a job lined up
- Getting a personal loan vs. an auto loan
- Can United miles be used on other airlines?
- 2. Target undervalued sectors
- Is it a good idea to consolidate credit cards?
- 2. Buy 10 times your income, plus $100,000 per child for college expenses
- How to open a brokerage account
- What if I lose the cashier's check?
- Home equity loan
- 5. Sign up for health insurance
- A strong history of paying bills on time
- How to apply for a joint business bank account
- Online lenders
- Prepare for a future tax bomb
- 4. Dollar-cost averaging
- Save for the deposit, then apply
- Texas sales tax holiday
- Today’s rates for specific kinds of mortgages
- ❌ It can be harder to change a booking
- Medicare resources in New Jersey
- Taxation on incentive stock options
- 6. Comfortable shoes
- Do I have to pay California state tax?
- Why is food so expensive?
- Replace your showerhead
- Why is the IDR account adjustment happening?
- LendingTree Spring
- Free games
- Crashes and car theft
- What else will change for tax year 2024?
- Appraisals
- Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers
- 4. Select a provider to open your Roth IRA
- 5. Etihad Guest Miles
- How does Wag work?
- Choosing recourse or non-recourse factoring
- Cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket
- 8. Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
- How to find a physician loan
- How to gift stock
- 4. Pay your bill before your issuer reports to the credit bureaus
- 5. Only certain Alaska flight delays are eligible for compensation
- Should I take a lump sum payment or annuity payments?
- 5. Provide reference letters
- Additional child tax credit
- Master's programs are not all equal
- Working toward financial goals
- What umbrella insurance doesn’t cover
- How to invest in dividend stocks
- 4. Reporting too many losses on a Schedule C
- IRS business forms for corporations
- Redeem points for travel through Chase
- Withdrawals are tax-free
- Cheap cell phone plans from brands that resell network service
- 8. Create an airport-centric app
- Taxes
- If your tax rate is higher now than you expect it to be in retirement
- How do origination fees affect your APR?
- How to increase your net worth
- Find a bank that suits your needs
- Submit PSLF employment certification forms
- Best homeowners insurance in Georgia for consumer experience: American Family and Nationwide
- Cash-out refinance costs
- 10. Del Taco
- Negotiating a buydown
- Resident status rules
- Average cost of term life insurance by age
- 4. Some of the perks are fancy
- If you’re willing to be loyal to a specific brand
- Redeeming Drury Rewards points
- How does the Fed raise interest rates?
- Other things to consider
- 5. It’s one of several ways you can pay for medical expenses
- More ways to take charge of your budget
- Customize your loan payments
- What happens next?
- Integrations with accounting software
- Find your conventional loan limit
- You don’t have good enough credit after all
- 3. EarnIn: Best for large advances
- Best homeowners insurance in Virginia for consumer experience: Nationwide
- How does a debt consolidation loan work?
- 3. Use the DIME formula
- 5. You can earn cash back on select purchases
- Why is the 10-year Treasury yield important?
- Mattress-buying tips
- Step 3: Choose your lender and loan
- 3. Office space: $100 to $1,000 per employee per month
- More about Banner life insurance
- How to build your credit
- Other ways to pay
- How to make a rental car insurance claim
- What is American Airlines Main Plus?
- Get more help with monthly budget planning
- Navy Federal: Best for military members
- What is the Lifetime Learning Credit?
- Determining if a monthly fee is worth it
- Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores
- Helping your credit scores
- Favorable tax treatment
- W-4 form 2024
- The long straddle
- Clothes, vintage and crafts
- How much of your fee goes to Upwork?
- What isn’t covered by personal property insurance?
- 5. You may score a free massage
- 5. Investigate divorced spouse benefits
- Wash clothes in warm or cold water
- Determine your annual FSA contribution
- Tips for unfreezing your credit
- 4. Redemption options include investing in stocks and ETFs
- Delta personal cards
- Additional functionality
- Workers are still stressed, especially in the U.S.
- What's next?
- Other student loan calculators
- Advantages of conventional loans
- 6. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Self-funding
- 5. Contact the seller or visit a dealership
- Interest rate
- If you want to pay off your student loans fast
- 3. Do your research
- 1. Gifting stock to kids through a custodial account
- 6. Research your 401(k) fees
- 6. Offer to start out month-to-month
- Home equity loan and HELOC rates
- Saving for and buying a home
- Remember gift cards can expire
- 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
- 5. Index investing
- 4. Revisit regularly
- Your employer can contribute
- How to lease a car
- 9. Become a destination wedding planner
- Where to find FSBO homes
- Act quickly to get help
- What will count toward IDR forgiveness?
- 4. You can qualify for one of the Ollo cards with fair credit
- 11. Denny’s
- Paylocity features
- Part-year resident status rules
- Prime Day and Prime Early Access
- Term life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- 4. Side perks are paltry
- Gift tax exclusion
- North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency grants
- Equity REITs
- What to know before buying an annuity
- Will forbearance impact my future ability to buy a home?
- Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 20-year-olds
- Do window upgrades enhance home value?
- Redeem points for hotel stays
- How do you get a second mortgage?
- Carefully choose members to add to your pool
- Does paying cable or Internet bills help build credit?
- DFW Terminal B
- Home equity lines of credit pros and cons
- How to unfreeze your credit with Equifax
- Deposit timing
- 3. Tap your home equity for a loan or line of credit
- Other costs for home sellers
- Reasons to choose recourse factoring
- Consider the costs of cashing out your 401(k)
- Leave 30% of your income for wants
- Dining reservations
- Some alternatives to joint credit card accounts
- Look for savings
- Spend now, don’t save
- Do debt consolidation loans hurt your credit?
- HELOC
- May
- 5. Deducting too many business expenses
- Can you deduct TX sales tax?
- If you don’t have credit but are looking to build it
- ❌ You may not receive elite benefits
- Types of 1099 forms
- Who might prefer the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- How the Lifetime Learning Credit works
- Why are eggs so expensive in California?
- 7. Roth IRA
- What items to skip
- How to calculate quarterly estimated taxes
- When are New York state income taxes due?
- Poshmark
- ONE VIP Visa Prepaid Card
- Adjust the temperature on your water heater
- Health care FSA
- Expensify
- Damage you do to others
- Cash can still be king
- Pros and cons of jumbo loans
- 4. Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort
- Should you invest in retail stocks in 2023?
- Price
- Process your requests for deferment or forbearance
- Best homeowners insurance in Texas for consumer experience: Nationwide
- 5 types of employer-sponsored retirement plans
- 7. Get a co-signer or a roommate with strong credit
- 4. Fiverr
- Frugal home expenses tips
- Doing great
- How Sling TV might fit into your budget
- Who collects franchise tax?
- Change your repayment plan
- 4. Inventory: 17% to 25% of your total budget
- No annual fee
- Choose cars that hold their value
- Holding period
- 10. Make local guides
- Drawbacks
- Roth 401(k) withdrawal rules
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- What is California's standard deduction?
- What to expect when you open your new account
- Switch to an income-driven repayment plan
- Is there an income limit to qualify as a first-time home buyer?
- 12. Edible Arrangements
- Payroll
- Nonresident status rules
- Term life insurance rates for smokers
- Estate tax exclusion
- Mortgage REITs
- 5. Overall, the cards are so-so
- How do I qualify for mortgage forbearance?
- What about savings from energy-efficient windows?
- Delta business cards
- What is the Federal Reserve Board?
- Be ready to contribute all of your points to the pool total
- How does cryptocurrency work?
- Geico
- First-time home buyer programs near California
- Contract periods
- The battle of the middle Southwest fares: Southwest Wanna Get Away Plus fare vs. Anytime fare
- Friends and family
- What are the requirements for Wag?
- How to find out what financial aid you’re awarded
- Reasons to choose non-recourse factoring
- 4. Take surveys for money
- When debt consolidation isn't worth it
- 2. Gifting stock through a Roth IRA
- 4. Replace your income, plus add a cushion
- 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
- Why you may not be getting a response after an interview
- Are 10-year Treasury notes a good investment?
- Cashier’s check vs. certified check vs. money order
- How do I deal with lottery taxes?
- When to expect your child tax credit refund
- Refinancing with an FHA 203(k) loan
- 2. Certificates of deposit
- Cons
- Who needs umbrella insurance?
- 6. Claiming a home office deduction
- If you have credit but want to strengthen your score
- 4. Understand mutual fund fees
- 1099-A
- Credit union personal loan rates
- Equifax business credit scores
- Disadvantages of HSAs
- How to find the 2024 W-4
- Do I have to pay New York state income tax?
- Before house hunting, get preapproved for a mortgage
- Ruby Lane
- Guard against fraud
- 6. Add your minor child
- Purchase energy-efficient appliances
- How buydowns differ from ARMs
- How to freeze your child’s credit
- Free unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos
- Pros
- National grants available to Florida small businesses
- Mortgage rates
- How to change or cancel an EIN
- Other Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners worth considering
- Errors
- Cheap auto insurance after an accident
- How did we determine the value of United miles?
- 4. Explore emerging industries
- Brokerage accounts are taxable accounts
- 7. Learn your vesting schedules
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- How to get American Airlines Main Cabin Extra Seats for free
- Transfer points for more value
- Who can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit?
- But wait, there’s more
- Check leasing specials
- Consider alternatives
- 8. Special needs trust
- Tips to minimize origination fees
- 2. Healthy large-cap stocks
- Dependent care FSA
- 13. Firehouse Subs
- Human resources
- Average cost of whole life insurance by age
- 5. It's just not a good everyday card
- Injuries to you
- HSAs and FSAs
- Your money management style
- Overall, workers are optimistic
- Are you confident you want to fly JetBlue with regularity?
- How to give two weeks’ notice
- Which is better when?
- Customer support
- IRAs
- 6. Inspect and test-drive the car, if applicable
- How to maximize your rewards
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Virginia
- 6. Know all of your options during a flight delay
- Maintaining financial health
- Step 4: Gather loan documents
- What are the legal ramifications for not paying franchise tax?
- 6. Growth investing
- 1099-B
- You must have a high-deductible health plan
- Cash-out refinance
- 11. Create a local grocery delivery service
- What part of my income gets taxed by California?
- Extra personal property coverage for valuable items
- Ask about discounted rates
- Rocket Money
- 5. Children may be added as authorized users
- What is Georgia's standard deduction?
- Amazon Elements
- WomensNet grants
- Hybrid REITs
- Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 20-year-olds
- Cash or cash-like redemptions
- National first-time home buyer programs
- 5. Gather your paperwork
- Help you certify for loan forgiveness
- How much does Wag pay?
- Which form of financial aid is best?
- Compare small-business loans
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- Do dining plans include alcohol?
- 4. Varo: Best for existing bank customers
- Benefits of RSUs
- EveryDollar, for simple zero-based budgeting
- 3. Gifting stock to friends and family
- Ways to build your credit
- How do you buy Vanguard Index fund shares?
- 5. Marketing: Below 10% of your total budget (even 0%)
- 7. Using nice, neat, round numbers
- IRS business forms for limited liability companies
- ❌ It may be more expensive
- Leverage elite status
- Saving on late fees
- Things to consider
- Price the car
- Alternative minimum tax
- Desktop vs. mobile
- Legal protection
- Etsy
- How are food prices tracked?
- If you want to visit an airport lounge in JFK's Terminal 5
- Close your old account, if needed
- Will parent PLUS loans qualify?
- 5. Watch out for the APR
- FSA balances will expire
- 14. IHop
- Whole life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Transfer points to other programs
- Bonus features
- The bottom line
- Does paying college tuition help build credit?
- How are cryptocurrencies created?
- Full list of the best home insurance companies in Texas
- Marriott Bonvoy's exclusive transfer partners
- What apps let you buy now, pay later?
- Crowdfunding
- Days in the cycle
- When undervalued stocks become popular
- How do you buy 10-year Treasury notes?
- June
- 2024 child tax credit news update
- Who should get a home equity loan
- Who qualifies for an FHA 203(k)?
- Saving and investing for retirement
- What do I need for my loan application?
- How much umbrella insurance do you need?
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- Primary vs. secondary coverage
- Equity funding
- Which card should you get?
- Experian business credit scores
- 12. Start a virtual event planning company
- Five steps to opening an investment account for your kid
- Do I have to update my W-4 every year?
- 4. Sell some merch
- How to do well on Upwork
- Watch your credit during recovery
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- Benefits
- Amazon Family
- Earned Income tax credit
- Cons
- 5. Quality Inn & Suites Anaheim at the Park
- DFW Terminal C
- It’s just business
- Alaska flight delay compensation recapped
- How can I avoid cashier's check fraud?
- 3. Bonds
- Where does an IRS audit take place?
- 1099-C
- Next steps
- Get quotes from dealers
- 1. Decide on an account type
- Ratings
- The long strangle
- What is New York state's standard deduction?
- Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Georgia
- The bottom line
- 15. Melting Pot
- When should you freeze your credit?
- Whole life insurance rates for smokers
- Your stolen stuff
- Publicly-traded REITs
- Loan limits
- How to get mortgage forbearance
- Account linking
- Life insurance
- Next steps: Complete the FAFSA
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in Virginia?
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Tips for calculating how much life insurance you need
- 5. Upwork
- What are the deadlines for paying franchise tax?
- 7. Value investing
- How to get a loan from a credit union
- Home equity sharing agreement
- ISO caveats to keep in mind
- 2. Determine how to finance your franchise
- Electronics
- Am I a resident for California state tax purposes?
- Reconsideration for PSLF applications
- Power and lighting
- Best Android personal expense tracker apps
- Workforce management
- National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) grant
- What is commercial auto insurance?
- 7. Determine which warranties are right for you
- Do you pay tax on T-notes?
- Who should get a HELOC
- Government bonds
- 6. Website: Around $40 per month
- Online travel agencies can be hit or miss
- 1099-CAP
- Clearing room to charge more
- 13. Sell zero-waste products
- 2. Choose the right broker
- How to pay estimated taxes
- Paperwork and compliance
- Swappa, Gazelle
- FamZoo Prepaid Card
- Is Upwork the right freelance marketplace for you?
- Resident status rules
- Make 10 years' worth of payments
- Will my servicer know if I qualify?
- Money Manager
- 16. Moe’s Southwest Grill
- How buydowns differ from discount points
- What's the tax filing deadline for my Georgia state income tax bill?
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-olds with poor credit
- Does rent-to-own help build credit?
- Why are there so many kinds of cryptocurrency?
- 6. Pick your investments
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in Texas?
- The most expensive fare: Southwest Business Select fare vs. Anytime fare
- Debt-based financing options for your business idea
- How to get paid on Wag
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- Where to drink alcohol in the Magic Kingdom recapped
- Drawbacks of RSUs
- Brokerage accounts vs. IRA
- Recap: How to get a cashier's check
- How do I get an FHA 203(k) loan?
- Consider paying with miles
- Is the Lifetime Learning Credit refundable?
- Why do I need a business credit score?
- How to switch plans and keep your number
- Set the lease terms
- How to adjust your Form W-4
- 5. Offer memberships
- Scheduled personal property
- 8. Use a do-over
- Switch to LED lighting
- Talent
- Sharing a Prime membership Using Amazon Household
- Jumbo loans and conforming loan limits
- Public non-traded REITs
- Other ways to redeem your points
- Security
- Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners to avoid
- What's next?
- Term vs. whole life insurance tool
- Next Steps
- July
- What are the best Vanguard index funds?
- IRS business forms: Additional tax forms
- 5. Manage your mutual fund portfolio
- Which credit cards to use for primary coverage
- 1099-DIV
- Getting motivation
- Personal loan
- 14. Make products for pets
- Am I a resident for New York state income tax purposes?
- How much does homeowners insurance cost in Georgia?
- Should you pay rent with your credit card?
- 17. P.F. Chang’s
- Cons of a credit freeze
- Cost of life insurance without a medical exam
- Using your credit card for rental car coverage
- FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
- Property standards
- Is two weeks’ notice required?
- Disability insurance
- 1. Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Business credit cards
- 5. Dave: Best for repayment flexibility
- Step 5: Submit your application and get funded
- Are these the best dividend stocks?
- Close the deal
- Blanket personal property
- Install dimmer switches
- Employee experience
- Find local conforming loan limits
- 6. The Westin Anaheim Resort
- Servicing changes are underway
- Retirement accounts for small-business owners and self-employed individuals
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in Virginia by city
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- How quickly could the IRS implement the child tax credit expansion?
- Are FHA 203(k) loans a good idea?
- How much does umbrella insurance cost?
- 8. Income investing
- Max out the food delivery perks
- Credit union vs. online lender
- American Opportunity Tax Credit vs. Lifetime Learning Credit
- How do I get my business credit score?
- When NOT to pay more frequently
- 15. Create custom clothing
- 3. Open the account
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- Should you choose an LLC or a sole proprietorship?
- AndroMoney
- 18. Pinkberry
- No-exam life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Customer support
- What does help you build credit?
- Shopping
- DFW Terminal D
- 2. Air New Zealand Airpoints
- Rover vs. Wag: Which dog-walking app should I choose?
- 8. Negotiate the best price
- Appendix: How the math works in our examples
- Credit unions
- 7. Office furniture and supplies: 10% of your total budget
- Upgrading to Main Plus
- 1099-G
- 3. Scout a location
- Frequently asked questions about estimated tax payments
- Part-year resident status rules
- Use smart power strips
- What if I had delinquencies or a student loan in default?
- 3. Funds that track specific sectors
- A welcome return to normality
- Mobile
- Ways to get the best jumbo mortgage rates
- America’s Seed Fund
- Private REITs
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
- Drury Rewards elite status
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in Texas by city
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- Empower Personal Dashboard, for tracking wealth and spending
- Consequences of a child tax credit error
- 6. OfferUp
- How to get umbrella insurance
- IRS business forms: Operating a business
- Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
- Resident status rules
- How much money can you make on YouTube?
- Apply for PSLF forgiveness
- 19. Pizza Hut
- Credit freeze or credit lock?
- How to track your Georgia state tax refund
- Is Amazon Prime worth it?
- No-exam life insurance rates for smokers
- Do you need commercial auto insurance?
- 3. Frontier Miles
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- August
- Pros of a 203(k) loan
- The future of blockchain technology
- Avoid other redemption options
- 1099-INT
- How to get help with your ISOs
- 16. Sell vintage clothing online
- 4. Fund the account
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- How much personal property insurance do you need?
- Average cost of homeowners insurance in Georgia by city
- Integrations
- Buying rental car insurance on your own
- User experience
- Are cryptocurrencies financial securities, like stocks?
- Alternatives to buy now, pay later
- How to book Southwest Anytime fares
- Microloans
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- The cheapest home insurance in Virginia
- 9. Socially responsible investing
- 8. Utilities: Around $2 per square foot of office space
- Is Main Cabin Extra worth it on American Airlines?
- Education tax forms
- The synthetic long
- Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard
- 1Money
- 20. Red Robin
- Barclays Small Business Big Wins
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- 23. Flip failing websites
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- 27. DSW
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- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
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- 28. J. Crew Factory
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- 6. Index funds
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- 12. Taxes: Variable, but 21% corporate tax rate
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- 25. Start a podcast
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- 29. Journeys
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- 3. When should I review my W-4?
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- 32. Target Circle
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- 14. Shipping: Variable
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- California state sales tax
- Taxis and rideshare at DFW
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The car-buying process can be draining and daunting, from navigating auto loans to determining affordability and ownership costs. And the process can get even more difficult in the current market, where low inventory and higher-than-usual prices can make it hard to find the exact car you’re looking for.
Here’s a NerdWallet car-buying guide to help simplify the process and assist you with making the smartest financial decisions throughout the journey.
1. Set your budget
Setting a budget is the first step to take when buying a car — before you even start looking for a vehicle or set foot in a dealership. If you’re paying cash, this step will be easier and faster for you. Even then, you'll still want to be aware and prepared for the other costs associated with buying a car, like registration fees, taxes and insurance.
Most Americans finance their vehicle purchases. In 2022, 80% of new vehicles were financed and 40% of used cars were financed, according to research from Experian Automotive, an auto data research company. Setting a budget means determining how much you can afford for a down payment and for monthly car payments.
Here are the basics for setting a budget:
Determine the price of the vehicle you can afford based on your income and budget.
Use our auto loan calculator to see an estimate of your monthly car payment and total loan amount based on the vehicle price, interest rate, loan term, down payment and more. Try entering different vehicle prices and see how the loan payment changes.
Use our reverse auto loan calculator to determine your potential loan total, if you have a set monthly car payment already in mind.
2024
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
$368.47
2024
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Payment date | Principal | Interest | Monthly payment | Principal balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 2024 | $301.80 | $66.67 | $368.47 | $15,698.20 |
May 2024 | $303.06 | $65.41 | $368.47 | $15,395.14 |
Jun 2024 | $304.32 | $64.15 | $368.47 | $15,090.82 |
Jul 2024 | $305.59 | $62.88 | $368.47 | $14,785.23 |
Aug 2024 | $306.86 | $61.61 | $368.47 | $14,478.36 |
Sep 2024 | $308.14 | $60.33 | $368.47 | $14,170.22 |
Oct 2024 | $309.43 | $59.04 | $368.47 | $13,860.79 |
Nov 2024 | $310.72 | $57.75 | $368.47 | $13,550.08 |
Dec 2024 | $312.01 | $56.46 | $368.47 | $13,238.07 |
Jan 2025 | $313.31 | $55.16 | $368.47 | $12,924.76 |
Feb 2025 | $314.62 | $53.85 | $368.47 | $12,610.14 |
Mar 2025 | $315.93 | $52.54 | $368.47 | $12,294.22 |
Apr 2025 | $317.24 | $51.23 | $368.47 | $11,976.97 |
May 2025 | $318.56 | $49.90 | $368.47 | $11,658.41 |
Jun 2025 | $319.89 | $48.58 | $368.47 | $11,338.52 |
Jul 2025 | $321.22 | $47.24 | $368.47 | $11,017.29 |
Aug 2025 | $322.56 | $45.91 | $368.47 | $10,694.73 |
Sep 2025 | $323.91 | $44.56 | $368.47 | $10,370.82 |
Oct 2025 | $325.26 | $43.21 | $368.47 | $10,045.56 |
Nov 2025 | $326.61 | $41.86 | $368.47 | $9,718.95 |
Dec 2025 | $327.97 | $40.50 | $368.47 | $9,390.98 |
Jan 2026 | $329.34 | $39.13 | $368.47 | $9,061.64 |
Feb 2026 | $330.71 | $37.76 | $368.47 | $8,730.93 |
Mar 2026 | $332.09 | $36.38 | $368.47 | $8,398.84 |
Apr 2026 | $333.47 | $35.00 | $368.47 | $8,065.36 |
May 2026 | $334.86 | $33.61 | $368.47 | $7,730.50 |
Jun 2026 | $336.26 | $32.21 | $368.47 | $7,394.24 |
Jul 2026 | $337.66 | $30.81 | $368.47 | $7,056.58 |
Aug 2026 | $339.07 | $29.40 | $368.47 | $6,717.52 |
Sep 2026 | $340.48 | $27.99 | $368.47 | $6,377.04 |
Oct 2026 | $341.90 | $26.57 | $368.47 | $6,035.14 |
Nov 2026 | $343.32 | $25.15 | $368.47 | $5,691.82 |
Dec 2026 | $344.75 | $23.72 | $368.47 | $5,347.07 |
Jan 2027 | $346.19 | $22.28 | $368.47 | $5,000.88 |
Feb 2027 | $347.63 | $20.84 | $368.47 | $4,653.24 |
Mar 2027 | $349.08 | $19.39 | $368.47 | $4,304.16 |
Apr 2027 | $350.53 | $17.93 | $368.47 | $3,953.63 |
May 2027 | $352.00 | $16.47 | $368.47 | $3,601.63 |
Jun 2027 | $353.46 | $15.01 | $368.47 | $3,248.17 |
Jul 2027 | $354.93 | $13.53 | $368.47 | $2,893.24 |
Aug 2027 | $356.41 | $12.06 | $368.47 | $2,536.82 |
Sep 2027 | $357.90 | $10.57 | $368.47 | $2,178.93 |
Oct 2027 | $359.39 | $9.08 | $368.47 | $1,819.54 |
Nov 2027 | $360.89 | $7.58 | $368.47 | $1,458.65 |
Dec 2027 | $362.39 | $6.08 | $368.47 | $1,096.26 |
Jan 2028 | $363.90 | $4.57 | $368.47 | $732.36 |
Feb 2028 | $365.42 | $3.05 | $368.47 | $366.94 |
Mar 2028 | $366.94 | $1.53 | $368.47 | $0.00 |
2. Shop for a loan
After you’ve determined your budget, it's time to find the right loan for you. The loan amount and interest rate you’ll get will largely be based on your credit score and income. If you have a higher credit score, you’ll usually have a lower interest rate. On the flip side, those with poor credit scores typically qualify for loans with higher interest rates.
To completely understand what you qualify for, get a preapproved offer for a car loan. This is beneficial even if you plan to finance through a car dealership because it’ll give you negotiating power. For example, if the dealership tries to offer you a loan with 8% interest, you can show a preapproved offer for 5% interest for the dealership to match.
Compare the following lenders and get a preapproved offer.
Compare auto loans, rates and lenders: Find the right lender for your vehicle purchase.
Bad credit auto loan options: These loan options are for those with lower credit scores, in the mid-600s or below.
Loan options for first-time car buyers: See your finance options if you’re buying your first car.
Private-party auto loans: These lenders will finance cars purchased from a private seller.
3. Determine other ownership costs
Car costs go beyond just making loan payments. There are additional costs that increase how much you might have to shell out monthly, including registration fees, depreciation, interest, gas, insurance, maintenance and other fees.
Here are some resources to help you calculate the ongoing costs of owning a car:
Determine monthly ownership costs with this detailed breakdown.
Understand how much routine car maintenance usually costs.
Estimate your car insurance costs with our car insurance calculator.
Compare car insurance rates to make sure you’re not overpaying or overinsured.
4. Find the right car for you
Once you’ve analyzed the costs associated with buying a car, you can start to look for options based on the budget you’ve set. Depending on whether you’re looking for new, used or certified pre-owned options, you can shop with a trusted and reliable dealer in person or online through car-shopping marketplaces. You can also purchase used cars from private-party sellers on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Regardless of how you decide to shop, if you’re buying a used car, the first step to determine if a car is suitable is to look at its vehicle history report. These reports provide information about a car’s record of major accidents, previous owners and usage, mileage and more. They can even sometimes give you insight into a car’s past, like its maintenance record.
The following guides can help you during the car-buying process, based on what type of car you’re looking for.
How to buy a new car: These steps can help make the car-buying process for a new vehicle easier.
How to buy a used car: Whether you purchase from a dealer, a private-party seller or an online retailer, finding the exact used car you’re looking for can be rough in the current market. This checklist can make the process smoother.
Comparing car-buying apps: Apps like Autolist, Autotrader, CarFax and more can help you compare cars in your budget or even buy your car completely online.
5. Contact the seller or visit a dealership
After you’ve selected some options you’re ready to pursue, you can contact the seller or visit the dealership to see the car(s). This might be a matter of physically driving to the dealership and talking with a salesperson or entering data to receive an exact price online.
Here’s what to do once you’re ready to contact a seller or dealer:
Request a quote from a car dealer by email, phone or by filling out an online form to compare prices and costs across dealerships or sellers.
6. Inspect and test-drive the car, if applicable
If you’re buying a new car, it’s not necessary to have it inspected because there were no previous owners. But you should always test-drive a car to get a feel for how it moves on the road. However, if you’re buying a used car, there are additional steps you need to take to make sure you’re not paying more than a car is worth or buying a damaged vehicle.
Even after viewing a car’s vehicle history report, it's still important to view a car in person if you're able to and also have it inspected by a trusted and reliable mechanic. Pre-purchase inspections typically include test drives and can help to make sure there are no underlying problems with the car in question. Note that if you’re buying a car online, test driving may not be an option, but you should receive inspection documents at the very least.
Here’s what you need to know about a used car inspection:
Getting a third-party car inspection before you buy a used vehicle can help ensure it's in good condition.
7. Determine which warranties are right for you
Warranties and maintenance plans are not right for every buyer. But sometimes having the additional protection can make you feel safer and give you peace of mind. To determine if a warranty is right for you when buying, consider how long you expect to keep the car, how reliable the car is, and if it makes sense to waive a warranty at the time of buying and opt for it later on in the car’s life.
Note that you can buy other types of coverage — such as gap coverage and road hazard protection — from your auto insurer, which can often be cheaper.
Consider the following when deciding on a warranty plan:
Determine if you need an extended car warranty at all. If you have a reliable car and have some money saved to cover the cost of unexpected repairs, for example, you might not need one.
You can cancel your extended car warranty if you determine that it's not right for you.
8. Negotiate the best price
Deals are harder to find in the current market, but buyers can still try to negotiate down car prices to stay within their budget. Note that dealers might often charge more than the sticker price by adding fees and dealer options. Because of this, you'll want to compare the dealer’s asking price with the average market price.
When negotiating, be clear about whether you’re discussing the car’s “out-the-door” price, which includes taxes and fees, or only the sale price of the car. The following guide can help you while you negotiate.
How to negotiate car prices: Knowing your budget and doing research about the current market value of a car can help you during negotiations and potentially help you pay less than the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
9. Maximize trade-in value, if applicable
If you’re trading in a car to purchase another, make sure you're getting the best trade-in price for your vehicle. The trade-in value is how much you’ll get toward the cost of another car when you trade in your car at a dealership. To get the best price for your trade-in, negotiate the trade-in value and the new car price separately.
Keep the following in mind as well, when trading in your car:
Determine what your car is worth before going to a dealer by using online retailers and pricing guides.
It's possible to trade in a car you owe money on, but it can be costly to do so. Learn more about negative equity to determine if it’s worth trading in the car right now.
10. Make the purchase
Now that you've decided on a car, it's time to make the purchase. This process includes reviewing and understanding your loan terms, questioning any unnecessary fees like dealer add-ons or advertising fees, understanding who your loan servicer is, where and how to make your payments, then signing to complete the process.
Before signing the contract, make sure to do the following:
Review your auto loan agreement by checking for things like what warranties are included or any unnecessary additional products and services, for example. Also, make sure any down payment or trade-in is credited.
Make sure the terms on your agreement match what you’ve calculated.
Pay necessary car-buying fees like sales tax, documentation fee and registration costs.