Saving Money, One Car Accessory At A Time

I feel like MacGyver today and end world hunger and save the world. Okay, maybe not the world, maybe I’ll just work on my car (and also write some motor guide articles here on my blog). This beauty has been with me for quite a long time and with maintenance expense kicking in, maybe I need to be more resourceful – I believe there’s nothing a few duct tape and cloth can’t do. How hard can it be, I’ve been to art class, and I was able to turn my old pants to a bag - swell, isn’t?

DIY accessories are next on my to-do list. They’re car accessories – I can make them as cute, and I don’t have to study computer programs to make ‘em.

Here are a few tips that can save you a few bucks.

Here’s an easy one – air fresheners.

• Using a lightweight cardboard, cut a small piece into your desired shape.

• Soak the cardboard in a mixture of scented oil and water. You may choose any scent you want – maybe the one you’re used to buying at the store for that familiar scent.

• Punch a small hole at one tip and put a string through it.

• Tie or hang the other end of the string to your rear-view mirror. Because of the mixture of oil and water, the scent can last for a number of days.

Having kids and messy adults as passengers is anything but nice – and the dirt and different smells that are left behind are not always pleasant. If you can’t keep them out of the car, have a small wastebasket instead to keep their stuff out of the car.

• Get a plain clean can with at least 8 inches in diameter and cover the entire can in plain colored paper, safest would be black as background.

• To add color and design, put artsy sticker designs (nothing sexual or pornographic if you have kids hitching for a ride).

• Put it in the car for passengers to place small garbage.

• Empty the garbage can daily (or hourly – really depending on your passengers and the type of trash they bring in the car).

To make your car look organized (making your life organized is a different thing), make the following:

• Get a sturdy box – one that’ll fit your CDs or mobile phone.

• Cover the box with plain or decorative paper of your liking. (Maybe a photo of Tom Cruise would do, but, nah… some things just get old.)

• Decorative marbles placed at the bottom of the box can keep the box from rolling around inside your car.

• Place your iPod or CDs inside the box so they won’t be all over the place.

• If you’re worried about the marbles being harsh to your iPod, you can place a small cloth on top of the marbles to protect your techie thingamajig from the marbles.

I’m sure having these auto accessories, and me making them will give my car an updated look. Save for the usual overheating, I’m still keeping this car.

As easy as art class in grade school, right? Damn, I should really get a new car.