Here’s an Associated Press story that you’ll find on page 8A of today’s print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News; or, if you’re not a subscriber, I also found it at the Chicago Tribune: Gas not the only rising car cost.

A snippet:

Travel agency AAA estimates that the average cost of owning and operating a car in 2008 will be $8,121, up from $7,823 last year.

“Purchases I’m making for our cars now are all driven by a preventative mentality,” said Tony Farrell, a freelance writer in Richmond, Va., who has a 2001 minivan and a 20-year-old Honda Civic he had considered selling. “A year ago, I would have let it run ragged. Now I want that car in good working order because I want it to last.”

What can you do?

• If your car is in “junker” or “go to work” status, look over your insurance policy and see if you really need full coverage any more. Insurance in Michigan is expensive enough – don’t pay more than you need to. For the last last two to three years I drove my Geo Metro, we took the collision coverage off that vehicle. Even if it was totalled, we would not get enough out of the settlement to justify the additional expense of collision coverage. Yes I did have accident damage to my car during that time; but the emergency inspection and repair cost less than the deductible would have allowed anyway.
• Carpooling and public transit can keep the wear and tear down on the vehicle or help you get by with one less vehicle. Yes it costs 80 cents to ride Lake Erie Transit in Monroe, and if you compare that expense to just the cost of gas, it may not be worth it. But LET helped our family of three get by on two vehicles. Now you’re talking serious savings.
• Julie’s List has a page about Transportation Resources in Southeast Michigan. Some of the programs are limited by geographic or special circumstances.
• Save and use those coupons for oil changes, tires and other service calls. I know, this won’t make much of a dent in a $450 repair estimate. But save money when and where you can to free up cash for circumstances where you don’t have a lot of options.
• Figure out where you can park for free. If you have business to take care of at the Monroe County Courthouse, you will have a very hard time finding a free parking spot near that building. Park at St. Mary’s Park or the Laurel Finzel Parking Lot that is accessible off Monroe or Front Sts. Yes it’s a bit of a walk to the courthouse; but not as far as you might think. When you go to the Monroe County Fair, take the time to drive around to the free parking lot. And when you do have to pay for vehicle entry (state parks, sports events), then put as much people and cargo as you can into as few vehicles as possible.