To best prepare yourself, start with a money management plan to learn what you can afford for a down payment and a total monthly expense. Next, review your credit and develop an understanding of how it will affect your financing for the vehicle. Then, tackle the remaining elements of the vehicle purchase – decide what exactly you are looking for, where you will do your research, and how to get the best deal for you. Use the following steps in conjunction with the Drive Away Happy module from BalanceTrack, which covers the basic information you need to know to make the best decisions and gets you on your way to owning a vehicle.

• Budget using the Money Management Planner (PDF)
  
  
• Crunch the numbers with the “How much car can I afford?” calculator
  
  
• Call BALANCE to receive money management counseling
  
  
• Focus on your goals with the Dream It and Achieve It mini-site

• Access your credit reports at the credit bureaus' Annual Credit Report Request Service
  
  
• Understand the reports better with the Your Credit Report (PDF) publication
  
  
• Learn more about how your score is calculated with the Your Credit Score (PDF) publication
  
  
• Have a counselor go over specific strategies for preparing your credit for the vehicle purchase with BALANCE's Credit Report Review service

• Educate yourself with tips from The 9-Step Car Buying G.P.S newsletter article


• Buying a Car video
  

• Consider your options with the Buying Versus Leasing a Car publication

• Use the Car Comparison Chart (PDF) to compare the amenities of specific available vehicles
  
  
• Evaluate vehicles comprehensively with the Used Car Test Drive Check List

• Familiarize yourself with the How to Get the Best Vehicle Financing Deal publication

• Learn ways to save on gas with the Frugal Fill-Ups: 30 Ways to Save at the Pump publication
  
  
• Get prepared with the Emergency Savings Accounts: Where to Stash Your Cash publication

• Learn how to better manage difficult situations with the What to Do if You Cannot Make Your Car Payments publication
  
  
• Know the consequences with the Vehicle Repossession: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities publication