The 20/4/10 rule is a guideline used when buying a car to determine the amount of a down payment, monthly car payment time frames, and monthly transportation costs.
Most people choose to put down less than 20% of the total vehicle price as a down payment because monthly payments are lower on loans that last longer.
Most people will have a tough time paying off a vehicle in less than four years, which is why this rule only allows the purchase of an automobile if you plan on making monthly payments for at least that amount of time.
Rule #2: Finance The Vehicle For No More Than 4 Years
Keeping your total transportation costs under 10% of your monthly income will help you stay within budget and ensure you can afford the cost of owning a car.
Rule #3: Keep Your Total Transportation Costs Under 10% Of Your Monthly Income
– Helps you stay within budget when buying a car.– Ensures you can afford to pay for the car you are buying.– Helps lessen the interest paid on monthly installments and unexpected fuel expenses by keeping transportation costs under a budgeted percentage of annual income.
– If you have a poor credit score or no down payment, getting approved for a loan even with the 20% down payment can be difficult.– The rule does not consider interest rates and other financing options available to buyers, which means it may cost more money over time than what is needed or wanted from the buyer’s perspective.
Why You Need A Budget Before Shopping For A New Vehicle
The process of shopping for a new vehicle can be daunting. Since cars are very costly, the first thing you should do before getting started on the purchase is set up a budget.