Even if you've found a used car that fits within your budget, there are a number of separate expenses you need to consider. Between licensing, registration, maintenance and fuel, you're going to be putting a lot of hard-earned cash into driving. Insurance is another cost you need to keep in mind, and it's one that varies by hundreds of dollars, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

While you can't avoid paying for insurance by any means, there are a number of ways you can lower the costs and save yourself some money. 

1. Do your research and shop around
Because each company provides a different price for car insurance, it's in your best interest to shop around. Taking the time to do research online, asking for referrals or even calling the company to discuss straight-forward prices can really cut back the expenses. Gather quotes from multiple companies and sit down and compare before making any decisions. You can also call your state insurance department for information – they might even be able to recall customer complaints for certain companies. Overall, doing your research before settling with an insurance company can really save you money – and headache – in the long-run.

2. Establish good credit
Maintaining a good credit score has a number of benefits – it lowers interest rates on loans, approves you for higher limits on credit cards and it even gets you better insurance rates, according to the Huffington Post. Many auto insurance companies use credit information as a platform to price auto insurance. Make it a point to establish and maintain a good credit score, and frequently check up on it to make sure there are no flaws in the information.

Check your credit score frequently to make sure your maintaining a good standing.

3. Drive safely
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it's a simple way to lower your insurance, according to Kelley Blue Book. People with clean driving records can often qualify for discounts, while those who drive recklessly and have been in more accidents see spikes in their insurance rates.

If you want to lessen the likelihood of an accident occurring, the source recommended driving less in general. Low mileage discounts are offered by most insurance companies, so consider carpooling with a family member or friend to work. This can save both of you miles and money.

4. Increase your deductible
By raising your deductible, you'll have to pay more out of pocket if an accident occurs. However, you could save anywhere between 15 and 40 percent in collision coverage costs if you increase your deductible by a few hundred dollars. It might seem like a large expense to begin with, but it's an excellent decision to make for long-term costs.

5. Combine policies
If you already have homeowners insurance with a certain company, it's in your best interest to go through the same company for your auto insurance, according to Bankrate. If you go through a different one for each policy, you're bound to be paying higher expenses than you should. Insurance agent Art Scott told the source that companies are more likely to work with you to save money if you choose to combine policies with them.

"The more lines (of insurance that insurance companies) can get, the more they're willing to give discounts for it," he said.

6. Ask about discounts
There are so many different ways for drivers to get insurance discounts, according to III. Some companies offer lowered rates for drivers who have not been in accidents during a certain period of time. Others even offer discounted rates for drivers who have take a defensive driving course. If you've committed to a certain insurance company, dig deep to find out how you can save money with them as a policyholder.

Whether you're interested in buying a new used vehicle or you're searching for a car for a loved one, head to NJ Auto Auction, where you'll find a lot full of Carfax-certified rides to choose from.

First off, congratulations! You've decided to invest in your first car, and you're making a smart decision choosing a used vehicle that falls within your budget. While you've done extensive research to reach that conclusion, you shouldn't stop there. In fact, once you've made it to the dealership to look through the lot, a whole new analysis should begin before making any concrete decisions.

Don't make up your mind early because of that low price tag – there might be a reason or two that it's so inexpensive in the first place. Give this potential car a full exam before handing over a down payment:

Exterior
Your first move should be to inspect the condition of the body of the car, according to Consumer Reports. Check for scratches, dents and rust from top to bottom. Then, make sure that the paint color is the same throughout the body. Once you've taken a good look at the cosmetics of the car, examine the glass. Are there any large cracks or pocketed areas? If you notice a small chip in the windshield, you should consider bargaining for a lowered price – the crack is bound to worsen and will likely end up costing a lot to repair.

The car's tires can make you think twice about the price if the wear and tear is tremendous. If the car has over 25,000 miles on it and it looks like the tires haven't been changed, you should negotiate. Kelley Blue Book reported that the average tire life lies between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, but it varies for each car. Who wants to buy a car and then take it to the shop a week later for new tires?

Interior
Once you've walked around the car, step into the driver's seat and take a look around. The Department of Motor Vehicles suggested checking out the seats before anything – are they damaged in any way? Do they all have functioning seat belts? Then make sure that every door – including the trunk – opens and closes without struggle. Your next test is simple – are any dashboard warning lights flashing? This could be a total deal breaker if the car salesman doesn't have an explanation.

If you notice the car has a very strong scent as soon as you open the door, it could mean two things: The car salesman was being extremely courteous or he was trying to cover up a bad scent. If the scent alarms you, you may want to ask about it – sure, he might have just been trying to spruce up the car to maximize your experience, but what if that's not the case? The last thing you want to do is buy a car that comes with a permanent funk.

The car's scent could be signify that the salesman was trying to cover something up.

Test drive
Before you go in on buying a used car, it's crucial to take it for a test drive. This is especially important if your salesman doesn't suggest it – that could signify there's an issue that he doesn't want you to find before buying. Bankrate explained that while you'll want to focus on the way the car accelerates, parks, breaks and steers, it's especially important to make sure the used car doesn't make any strange sounds or vibrations as you drive. The best way to check for these issues is to take it on the highway and see how it drives above 60 miles per hour. Does the front end or steering wheel shake or vibrate? Can you hear any strange noises coming as you accelerate? How about the transmission – is it shifting smoothly? These are all valid questions that must be answered before making the big decision to buy.

Looking for a place with a variety of used cars to choose from? Head to NJ Auto Auction, where you'll find plenty of Carfax-certified cars that are ready to roll out after the test drive. The days of searching for a dealership with quality used vehicles are over – you've found the perfect place.