I’ve Lived on Social Security for 7 Years: 5 Items I Always Buy for My Vehicle
Written by
Brooke Barley
Edited by
Jasmine Browley
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The average monthly Social Security benefit in 2024 was $1,862. Living off that income doesn’t leave a lot of room for discretionary spending.
Even maintaining and driving a car can get expensive on that income. Linda James is a retired Beaverton, Oregon, resident and has been living off Social Security for seven years. Here are the car expenses she prioritizes even on a fixed income.
Oil Changes
James has a 2007 Ford Taurus. She credits being able to keep it for so long to regular oil changes.
“I don’t drive very much, so I just do it once a year,” James said. “But, I would never skip that.” James pays about $25 for an oil change. Once a year, that’s not too big of an expense.
AAA Membership
James pays for a yearly basic membership to AAA. She remarked that this has come in handy in times when her car has been in a bind. “I’ve had a few flat tires and they have come and towed me, so that makes it worth it for me. It’s really a matter of safety. I feel safer knowing I have the membership if something really catastrophic were to happen.”
A basic membership is $65 a year. In addition to flat tire replacement and towing, that membership covers services like fuel delivery, battery jumpstart and replacement, and vehicle locksmith service up to $50.
Recommended Maintenance
When James goes to get her oil changed, sometimes the mechanics will notice something is wrong with the car and recommend she get it fixed. She always heeds their advice, but makes sure to do some comparison shopping.
“One told me I needed to get my brakes fixed and was going to charge me $500! I went around to a few places in the neighborhood and found a place that would do it for around $250. I was so glad I didn’t settle for that first price.”
James recommended even reaching out to a friend to get an idea of how much certain repairs cost to make sure you’re not getting a raw end of a deal.
Car Washes
The weather in Beaverton can be snowy or rainy, so cleaning the car regularly helps get the weather residue off the windows so James can see better.
“Whenever we’re going to have a few nice days, I like to get the car washed. I really like to keep a clean car. There’s something about getting into a clean car that makes me feel like it drives better even if that’s not the case.”
James doesn’t get her car washed very often — probably only once or twice a year. This way, it doesn’t eat into her budget too much.
Air Fresheners
It’s not great to be known for having a stinky car. James makes sure she always buys air fresheners to keep her car smelling fresh.
“It’s nice to get in and not have it smell like food, or just plain bad. I replace the air freshener every few months or so.”
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