Learn to Save on Car Ownership
Free guides covering everything from selling your car to saving on gas. No fluff, just actionable advice backed by research.
Featured Guides
Your Car Has Three Prices
The single most important concept every car owner needs to understand before selling their vehicle.
The 7-Day Challenge: Getting Instant Offers
How to get competing offers from CarMax, Carvana, and more in just 15 minutes.
Auto Loan Refinancing 101
When refinancing makes sense, how much you can save, and how to get the best rates.
Underwater Auto Loans: What to Do
Strategies for when you owe more than your car is worth, plus how to avoid it.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
A practical guide to choosing the right liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
Car Maintenance Schedule Guide
What maintenance your car actually needs and when, based on mileage and age.
Browse by Topic
Selling & Value
Understanding your car's worth and how to get the best price.
Your Car Has Three Prices
The single most important concept every car owner needs to understand before selling their vehicle.
The Three Prices Explained
A detailed breakdown of market value hierarchy: dealer vs private party vs instant offer.
The 7-Day Challenge: Getting Instant Offers
How to get competing offers from CarMax, Carvana, and more in just 15 minutes.
Private Party Made Safe
How modern platforms like Caramel make private car sales as safe as dealer transactions.
The Trade-In Tax Trick
How trading in your car can save you over $1,000 in taxes, and when it makes sense.
Car Depreciation Guide 2025
Everything you need to know about how cars lose value and which vehicles hold value best.
Financing
Auto loans, refinancing, and credit optimization.
Auto Loan Refinancing 101
When refinancing makes sense, how much you can save, and how to get the best rates.
Credit Scores and Car Loans
How your credit score affects your auto loan rate and what you can do about it.
Banks vs Credit Unions vs Online Lenders
Compare auto loan sources to find the best rates and terms for your situation.
Underwater Auto Loans: What to Do
Strategies for when you owe more than your car is worth, plus how to avoid it.
First-Time Auto Buyer Financing Guide
Everything first-time car buyers need to know about getting approved and avoiding mistakes.
Shop Rates Without Hurting Your Credit
How to compare multiple auto loan offers without damaging your credit score.
Early Auto Loan Payoff: When It Makes Sense
The math behind paying off your car early, plus strategies that actually work.
48 vs 60 vs 72 vs 84 Month Loans
How loan term affects your monthly payment, total cost, and equity position.
Dealer Financing vs Direct Lending
When to use dealer financing and when to get your own loan first.
Bad Credit Auto Loans: Your Options
How to get a car loan with bad credit and avoid predatory lenders.
How Much Down Payment Do You Need?
Finding the right down payment to avoid negative equity and minimize total cost.
The Complete Co-Signer Guide
Risks, benefits, and alternatives for both borrowers and co-signers.
Financing New vs Used: What Changes
How financing differs between new and used cars, and which is better for you.
Insurance
Coverage options, savings strategies, and when to switch.
Car Insurance Guide 101
The basics of car insurance: what you need, what you can skip, and how to save.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
A practical guide to choosing the right liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
Maintenance
What your car needs, when it needs it, and what it should cost.
Car Maintenance Schedule Guide
What maintenance your car actually needs and when, based on mileage and age.
What You Need vs. Dealer Upsells
How to tell the difference between necessary maintenance and profit-driven upsells.
DIY Car Maintenance: What You Can Do Yourself
Save $150-300+ per year by doing simple maintenance tasks at home.
Extended Warranties: Are They Worth It?
A practical guide to deciding if an extended warranty makes sense for your vehicle.
How to Find a Good Mechanic
Trust is everything in car repair. Find a shop you can rely on.
Tire Care and Replacement Guide
Tires are your only contact with the road. Keep them in top shape.
Seasonal Car Care Checklist
What your car needs as the seasons change. Prevent problems before they start.
High Mileage Vehicle Guide
Your 100,000+ mile car can run for years with proper care.
Fuel & Energy
Fuel efficiency, EV charging, rewards programs, and driving optimization.
The Gas Savings Stack
How to combine GasBuddy, credit cards, and cashback apps to save $0.30+ per gallon.
Fuel Efficiency: What Actually Works
Science-backed tips that improve MPG by 15-25%, plus common myths that waste your time.
EV Charging Costs Explained
Home vs public charging, time-of-use rates, and how to minimize your electricity bill.
Winter Fuel Efficiency Guide
Why cold weather kills your MPG and what you can do about it. Includes EV-specific tips.
Best Gas Credit Cards 2025
Top cards for 5% back on gas, including no-fee options and premium rewards cards.
Hypermiling: Advanced Fuel Saving
Techniques used by extreme MPG enthusiasts, adapted for everyday drivers.
Is Costco Gas Worth It?
Real savings analysis: membership cost vs fuel savings, plus quality concerns addressed.
Parking
Saving on parking with reservations and smart strategies.
Never Overpay for Parking
How to save 20-50% on parking with reservation apps and smart strategies.
Best Parking Apps Compared
SpotHero vs ParkWhiz vs BestParking: Which app saves you the most money?
Airport Parking: Complete Guide
Compare on-airport, off-airport, and rideshare options to find the cheapest way to park.
Street Parking: How to Find Free Spots
Master street parking with these tips on finding spots and avoiding tickets.
Monthly vs Daily Parking: The Math
Calculate your break-even point to decide if a monthly parking pass is worth it.
Buying and Selling Guides
Expert guides on car values, selling, and buying
Inspect Used Car: 2026 Buyer's Guide
Car Financing: 2026 Complete Guide
Red Flags Buying from Private Sellers
Car Negotiation Tactics to Save Thousands
Ultimate 2026 Car Leasing Guide
End Car Loan Early: 7 Options
Buying a Car in 2026: Ultimate Guide
Trade In Your Car for Top Value
GAP Insurance: Do You Really Need It?
Save $3K+ Buying Cars Online 2026
Buy Here Pay Here Guide
Car Depreciation Explained: Why Cars Lose Value
Vehicle Value Guides
Depreciation and value analysis by vehicle
2024 Audi Q8
2024 Audi A5
2024 Audi A5
2024 Audi A5
2024 Tesla Model Y
2023 Tesla Model 3
2024 Tesla Model Y
2023 Chrysler Pacifica
2023 Chrysler Pacifica
2023 Nissan Rogue
2025 Volvo XC90
2025 Tesla Model Y
Parking Guides by City
Local parking costs, permits, and tips from real drivers
Cost Index
Real ownership cost rankings from Sidekick data
Cheapest Vehicles to Own
Vehicles with the lowest total annual ownership cost, ranked by real Sidekick owner data.
Best Sidekick Scores
Vehicles with the highest cost optimization scores across all six ownership verticals.
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