Financial and Lifestyle Resources for Vermont

You need a car but when you look at your budget, you’re not sure what kind of down payment you should make or how much you can afford to pay each month. Maybe you haven’t made a car payment in a while. Or maybe you have been making a payment all along and it’s been putting a damper on your budget. Before you strap yourself into a new car, take a minute to figure out how much car you can afford and still live comfortably within your means.

Whether you’re traditionally a new car buyer or looking for a used car that will last longer, there are affordable and reliable options out there for you. This is your starter guide for shopping for a pre-owned vehicle—what to look for, what questions to ask, where to buy from, and more.

If you’re looking for your next car, you may have noticed that car inventory is low. If you’re currently leasing your vehicle, you may have more options at the end of your lease than you think. In fact, the best car for you may be the one you already have. Enter the lease buyout. With used cars retaining their value these days, here is what you need to know about this often-overlooked car buying option—when it makes sense, what to consider, and how to do it.

If you’ve ever purchased a vehicle, you probably know that you can spend almost as much time shopping for rates as you do picking out your new car. But what if I told you that you didn’t have to spend so much time finding the best interest rate?  

Do you want to buy a car but worry that your bad credit will make it impossible for you to get financing? Bad credit can certainly create challenges for the car buyer, but it does not necessarily mean you’re out of luck. You may just need to take a few steps to prove to a lender that you are a trustworthy borrower.

How you handle yourself at the car dealership can make a difference in the price you get when buying a car. Here are nine things you DON’T want to do at the car lot.