If you’re interested in buying a car anytime soon, you may be wondering whether it’s best to finance it or lease it. There are many things to consider before making a decision that suits your lifestyle.

Here’s your guide to financing and leasing a car from wealth strategist Douglas Eze.

Leasing A Car

Leasing a car is good for people who don’t drive much or for people who have multiple cars.

For a middle-income American, there’s a lot to consider including out-of-pocket costs, mileage, and monthly payments.

While leasing may offer lower monthly payments, you’re still buying the car for the value of the car. If the car is $50,000, you’re leasing it for that same price. The major downside? You’re not receiving any discounts. Yes the finance guy will tell you that you will be paying lower because of the expected depreciation during the lease period and a possible benefit is that you can take it in for maintenance anytime you want, but, at the end of the day, when you lease a car, you’re not only paying more out-of-pocket each month, you’re also restricted by mileage.

Financing a car allows you to invest your money elsewhere. Your dollar today is more valuable than your dollar in the future. Your dollar today needs to be working for you and making you money.

Financing A Car

When financing a car, you own the car and get to keep it for as long as you want. If this is the option you choose, think about your financing options. Where do you want to finance it? How long do you want to finance the car?

Remember, a car cannot give you any equity. It’s more of a liability than it is an asset. Financing a car strategically offers you the opportunity to invest money elsewhere.

You may think that someone with a credit score of 850 whose income is over 7 figures would buy a car mostly or all up front. But, if they are wise, they won’t do this. Rather, they will finance for the longest term possible or allowed by the finance company. Again, it’s not that they can’t take a short loan term, because they most likely could, they do this because they are looking at the monthly out of pocket money. Here’s an example.

If someone purchases a $30,000 car, they are often presented with two loan options; 36 or 60 months. The 36 months option has an auto loan rate of 1.79%, resulting in a monthly payment of $857 and the total interest amount of $835 paid. The 60 months option, with a higher interest rate of 2.19%, results in a monthly payment of $528 and the total interest amount of $1700 paid.

Many will pick the 36 month option because of its low interest rate. However, the smarter decision would be to choose the 60 month one. Although you end up paying $865 more in interest total ($1700 minus $835), if you take the difference in the monthly payment, which is $329 a month ($857 minus $528), and save it, you will have $19,740 saved. Better yet, if you put it in an account that pays a 4% guaranteed interest, then the value will be $21,812. That’s WITH a $2072 interest earned.

The key is having access and control of your hard earned money. Keeping this example in mind, Douglas Eze can still show you how to pay off the car in 3 years without even making an extra payment.

Build Your Wealth Strategy With Financial Expert Douglas Eze

20 years ago, Douglas Eze founded Largo Financial Services. His calling is to equip individuals and families with the education and resources to build generational wealth. Douglas’ primary mission is to identify the areas his clients may be unknowingly throwing away money and empower them with the tools to begin saving for their future.

Largo Financial Services is Licensed in 50 states and the District of Columbia. To inquire about insurance, annuities, college plans, and tax-free retirement, schedule a free consultation with Douglas Eze and his team.