Bringing a new baby into the world comes with a new world of concerns. Mostly, new parents are worried about the safety and well-being of their little one. However, budget worries are also a significant source of stress for new parents.
One of the most important places to practice safety is on the road, but knowing how to prevent accidents and keep up with maintenance can be a struggle for overwhelmed parents, especially those who have to stay within a defined budget range.
Luckily, the following suggestions from Finn + Emma will help you keep your family safe whenever you’re on the road.
Smartphones Can Make Driving Safer… When Used Responsibly
Having assistance can be a major stress reliever for new parents. If you want some extra help with driving, you don’t need to hire an expensive nanny or personal assistant — especially when your phone can provide all of the help you need to get to your destination safely. Utilizing things like GPS, emergency dialing, and even baby calming apps can be a real lifesaver for keeping busy parents focused on driving. To keep those trips with your family extra safe, many of the latest smartphones even include hands-free driving features.
Keep Up On Your Car Maintenance
Being frugal and budget concious is always a good idea when starting a new family. The money you save can really come in handy if you need to pay for unexpected car repairs or want to pad your family’s emergency savings fund. Families can spend upwards of $8,500 on upkeep and maintenance each year to keep a car safe enough for the road.
Compare prices when it comes to mechanics and cut down on your maintenance and repair expenses by using discounted parts. In applicable scenarios, you can also head to Walmart for some DIY car maintenance. If you can spare the time and patience, completing simple tasks like changing your car’s oil or maintaining proper tire pressure can result in some serious savings for your budget. Keeping up with these tasks could even prevent an accident and save a life.
Make sure to store your vehicle in a safe place. If you have a garage, that’s probably your best bet. Building a garage isn’t as out of the question or out of the ordinary as you might think, especially now that you have kids. Adding on a garage will also strengthen the resale value of your home.
Safe Driving Habits: The Most Cost-Effective Way to Prevent Issues
If you are serious about car and driver safety but also serious about saving money for your family, then practicing safer driving is your best bet. Changing your habits around driving and avoiding dangerous habits doesn’t cost a single cent and saves you money in the long run.
Most parents (and drivers in general) already know that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be fatal, but sleep-deprived parents may not realize that driving while tired can be just as dangerous. Much like poor road conditions and distracted driving, drowsy driving leaves you with reduced reaction times that can result in a serious car accident. One of the most important steps you can take to keep your car and road trips safe for your new family is to get enough sleep before you get behind the wheel, no matter how far or long you need to go.
It’s also a good idea to take steps to relieve stress, like starting a fitness routine and eating better. Also, if you know your trigger points, it’ll be easier to stop stress in its tracks.
Whether you are planning for a new family or just had a new baby, don’t let basic driving safety fall by the wayside. Preventing an accident on the road is one of the most simple and effective ways to keep your loved ones healthy and safe. With a little know-how, you can even do so on a tight budget, which means you could be saving some serious cash in addition to saving stress.
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