Auto Repair: Options for Paying Your Bill

What are the options for paying your auto repair bill? Do you need to completely drain your checking account in order to take care of the cost? Every single day people walk into the service department and find out that they need major repairs to keep their vehicle running. It can be overwhelming and stressful if you aren't prepared. Check out these options for taking care of your bill. Pay Cash If you have the money, consider paying cash for the auto repair. You can get the best deal and avoid interest if you pay the entire bill upfront. If you don't have enough in your checking account, you may need to turn to your savings account to handle things. Many people have established an emergency fund for these situations. While you are going to be short on money in your savings account, you won't have any debt hanging over your head. Put it on the Card Is there any benefit to putting the cost of the auto repair on a credit card? If you have a card that offers reward points, you can take care of the bill and benefit from the points. Most shops take a variety of different credit cards and you can get your car back as soon as the work is complete. While interest will accrue if you wait to pay the balance, you will still be in possession of your vehicle and you can attempt to pay things off as soon as possible. Take Out a Small Loan Payday loans are popular options for people that do not have the cash for an auto repair and don't want to put the balance on a credit card. If you are just short on cash and you will have the money in a few days, consider a small, short-term loan. While you are going to pay a fee for the loan, you are still able to pay your bill and continue using your vehicle to get back and forth to work. If you are worried about leaving yourself without money to pay for the necessities, borrow the amount and pay it back as soon as possible. Skip the Repairs and Save Up Sometimes an auto repair needs to be handled right away. When it comes to brakes, you do not want to take a chance. On the other hand, there are some repairs that can wait until the next time you come in for an oil change or other maintenance. Talk with your advisor and get an estimate before leaving the shop. Then, make it a point to save up the full amount before going back to have the work completed.