If you are wondering, “Is your car green?” you aren’t alone. The green question around modern cars is a big one and one that may not be as well answered as you think. Sustainability is a major issue and is impacted by many things, such as the size of the car. So, here is more info.

Used Cars Vs. Electric Vehicles

Buying products that are built to last helps sustainability. And some cars are tough. Just Google “Ineos Grenadier dealers near me” for some real evidence that some vehicles are an absolute unit. Yet buying used cars can also contribute to lower emissions over time. EVs, however, use around 66% less emissions for manufacturing. Yet only around 7 tonnes of carbon is produced over its lifetime. Then, there are the issues around battery life and the cost of replacement.

Electric vehicles are thought to be the be-all and end-all of sustainable and green vehicle manufacture and use. But this is somewhat mired in controversy because they still produce carbon over their lifetime based on manufacture and use. Consider how you recharge an EV. You would need to ensure your car is charged via renewable energy sources all the time and charge it efficiently between 20% and 80% using 19kw charging stations for battery health.

Buying a new car is an experience that should be enjoyed, especially your first or a car you love to work on or have saved for. But there is all the associated guilt around whether buying ICE cars versus an EV. Granted, an EV would produce less carbon emissions, but the data is somewhat unreliable and long-term use hasn’t been tested. New ICE vehicles are also less polluting than a few years ago. In 2020, cars produced 221.4 g/km of carbon compared to 275 g/km in 2007.

Larger cars generally produce more carbon emissions. There are some exceptions, but they are rare. For better fuel economy and lower emissions, it is a widely held belief that you should drive a smaller car. It is also cheaper to run a smaller car, such as a hatchback. For example, if your driving is mainly done (to and from work, for example) within 50 miles, a larger car will cost more and pollute more. Then you have extra costs such as repairs and maintenance to deal with, too.

All the talk about green facts and figures can be draining. So, let’s just get to what you probably want to know. So, what is the greenest car you can buy? There are a few close competitors, but according to expert car dealers, the greenest car available (EU, UK) is the Dacia Spring. Tested against the Clean Air index, Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gases, it scored 10, 9.8 and 10, respectively. This car was followed closely by the much more expensive AUDI Q4 e-TRON.

Is your car green? Well, used cars and EVs can contribute to sustainability. Yet even new cars are much less polluting than a few years ago. But the greenest you can get is the Dacia Spring.

A lot of people feel a certain level of extra connection with their car as if the car were an extension of the self. If you consider yourself like that, then you might want to think of the ways that you can ensure that it’s looking its best, and representing your personality and your style. Here are a few customisation options that can do just that.

If you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience exterior damage, like scratches, then you might want to take the time to ensure that you get the body of the car restored to its best. There are scratch repair products that you can find, but you might also want to consider working with your local dealership if it offers a paintwork repair service, whether you go for a matching style, or you can opt for respraying services for more extensive marks.

Tinted windows can not only look super cool on a car, giving an air of prestige and secrecy, but they also have real benefits for the car, such as protecting the interiors from UV rays, which can stop interior materials from fading under the sunlight. Just make sure that you know the law around tinted windows, as they have to let through a certain amount of light or else they don’t count as road-legal.

Usually, you would choose a trim for your vehicle when you first buy it, but there’s nothing to stop you from replacing it if yours is fading a little or has experienced some damage. There are always new options coming onto the market like the new Audi Vorsprung trim, which can be fitted to most of the modern cars in their range. Changing the trim can help you ensure that the details match when, for instance, getting a new paint job.

You can give your vehicle a distinctive touch by personalising its number plates. There are all kinds of custom plates, whether bearing your name, a meaningful slogan, or a combination of specific numbers and letters, all of which can allow for a unique signature that you can put on your car. There are sites that can help you easily track what custom license plates are available online.

Vinyl wrapping is an addition you can make to the car that not only looks great, but can also protect any auto accessories you have, and offers additional protection against chipping, the weather, and more. Vinyl wraps conform perfectly to the shape of the car and can be an easy way to apply all sorts of designs. They need a little additional maintenance, such as removing any excess air bubbles, but for many, that extra work is well worth it.

There’s nothing wrong with letting your style shine through your car. We invest just as much in clothes and home decor, so why not invest a little into making your car a better fit for your aesthetic, as well?

We spend most of our lives trying to get the bigger and ‘better’ things, and our homes are no exception. The more successful we are, the larger the house we can buy, and that large house can be great if you’ve got a big family or you need plenty of room for all the ‘stuff’ that you’re buying too. 

However, after a little while, that big house just isn’t needed anymore, and if your kids have left home, you’re thinking of retiring, or you just want to save some money, downsizing could be a good idea. All that means is that you sell your large house and buy a small - less expensive - house instead, ideally making a profit so you’ve got some extra savings to enjoy. Downsizing can often be a savvy financial decision, but it can also be a tricky one to get used to because going from a big house to a smaller one can be a little uncomfortable. With that in mind, here are some of the ways to downsize and still be comfortable. 

When you move into a smaller place, you’ll probably need to get rid of some of your things - it’s just common sense that it’s not all going to fit. You can sell the items, store them somewhere, donate them, or whatever you want, but the key is not to have them in your home anymore. 

Trying to fit everything in will make things cluttered and, unfortunately, uncomfortable, whereas having less around you will add to your comfort. If you’re not sure where to start, think about learning more about minimalism, and that should start you off on the right path. 

Again, a cluttered home is an uncomfortable one, whether you realise it or not, so even if you do try to get rid of some of your stuff, whatever’s left is going to need to be stored somewhere. 

Firstly, when you’re looking at property to buy, make sure the one you choose has enough storage if possible (it might not always be possible, but it’s certainly something to consider). Then, to make things even better and help you to stay tidier and more comfortable, make use of the wide range of other storage options you can get, like understairs storage, baskets, ottomans, shelving, and so on. 

Don’t forget you’ll need to consider storage outside the house as well as inside - if you have a car, for example, where’s that going to go? If you’ve got limited parking or a small garage, it could be worth downsizing your vehicle as well as your home, and finding out the VW part exchange value is worthwhile. 

Even in a smaller living space, you’ll still want to make it personal so you feel more at home and, yes, comfortable. That’s why you need to choose decor and furniture that you love and that goes with your preferences rather than what goes along with current trends, for example. 

And although we did say you want to declutter as much as possible, don’t get rid of everything - having some personal and sentimental things around you is sure to make you more comfortable. 

If cutting costs has become a necessity in your life, you are not alone. The cost of living crisis has put a lot of people under additional financial strain, forcing them to take action. 

However, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice enjoyment. Thankfully, with the right strategies in place, it is possible to minimise expenses and maximise your fun. Here’s all you need to know.

When money is tight, luxuries like vacations are often the first thing to be sacrificed. When you know how to save money when on holiday, though, any feelings of guilt will be lost. This is particularly important as the need for magical moments is arguably greater than ever. Even if you opt for short breaks rather than long holidays or choose days out in the local area, you deserve to have fun. 

Besides, when your life is filled with happy experiences, other cutbacks will be less noticeable.

Vehicles are among the most valuable assets in our lives, but they aren’t cheap. If your vehicle is a gas-guzzler or regularly needs new parts, it’s time to get a new one. While this may seem like an added cost, verified used car sales are a great solution. The vehicle will be affordable yet reliable while everything from tax to insurance will fall compared to a new car too. Perfect. 

If you can get away with a smaller engine or switching to a hybrid, this will bring even greater savings over the long haul.

You spend more time at home than in any other setting. Furthermore, it can become a great place to host friends, which will be more affordable than going out for meals and other social activities. Following online tutorials can teach you to paint the walls properly, install a deck, or upcycle furniture. Aside from boosting your quality of life, you’ll increase the value of the home. 

Completing the projects can be fun while the satisfaction of doing it yourself is incredible. The fact you’ve removed labour costs is a bonus.

When thinking about the cheaper option, most people think about more affordable food and clothes brands. In reality, though, there are many trade-offs that can be made. Rather than having an expensive gym membership, you could opt for a bike and start cycling for free. Alternatively, investing in a coffee machine can save you from the Monday to Friday trips to the coffee shop. 

A small initial outlay may be required. Still, adopting habits that reduce monthly expenses without reducing your joy is ideal.

Finally, you can transform the process of saving money into something fun. There are plenty of money-saving challenges that can provide inspiration. Meanwhile, involving the whole family is an approach that is shown to make a significant impact. Once it becomes a natural part of your family life, you’ll never look back. Not least because you will soon get to see the direct benefits of your efforts.

In addition to getting you through moments of financial difficulty, it’s a move that can help you greatly in later years and retirement. You’ve got this.