When my (now) husband and I decided to move in together a few weeks before the world went into lockdown in 2020, two things became very clear: 1) our relationship was about to get real, real quick, and 2) if said relationship was going to work, I needed to maintain my independence by securing a set of wheels—stat.

After some research, I decided leasing a car was clearly my best option. The payments were less expensive per month than if I were to buy, and it'd would leave me the freedom to hand over the keys at the end of the term, should my eye catch a shiny new thing. Securing the right model, however, was a matter of several important factors that became abundantly apparent the more I shopped around.

Here, all the intel I learned—so you can hit the open road with peace of mind and possibility in the air.

The bells and whistles are extra

This was a big lesson for me. I had grand-ish plans of a souped-up mini truck, sporty yet stylish, with leather interiors and surround sound. But then came the sticker shock. While the listed base price looked doable, what I didn't realize (or couldn't read because the print was so small) was that a base price actually means bare-bones—like a step above a shell with wheels. In most cases, an entry-level luxury car won't come with leather interiors, a sound system, or premium safety features. For those, you need to go with upgrades...and hand over even more cash. And that's not even getting into the added cost of monthly insurance payments. In the end—knowing a car would be just one piece of my expenses while saving towards other life goals—I settled somewhere in the middle: an economical option with excellent safety features, great sound, and leather interiors for a luxe feel.

There's no such thing as one-size-fits-all car insurance

The right plan can depend on multiple considerations, such as the type of coverage you need, whether you prefer a high or low deductible, and the policy limits you feel comfortable with. It's a lot. But a State Farm® agent is ready to help you make sense of it all. They can walk you through a full menu of protection options on the type of insurance you need. And with so many coverage options, it’s reassuring to have someone on your side to help you find what fits best, and answer questions as they arise.

Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate

True story: Lease prices are seldom set in stone. So be prepared to haggle. If you're not a natural-born negotiator, bring someone with you who is. And be prepared to walk away like a boss if the terms aren't to your liking. More often than not, the salesperson will find a way to meet you in the middle.

Because lots of things can be up for grabs, from the price of the vehicle itself and the mileage limits to those sneaky add-ons. I ended up putting less money down and shaving some of the sticker price. But the real key: Shop around. Comparing deals at different dealerships is the only way to ensure you're getting the best bang for your buck.

Get the right mileage

Most car leases come with mileage limits of 10,000, 12,000, or 15,000 miles per year. And unused miles don't carry over. While it can be hard to guestimate exactly how much you'll drive, as a general rule, if you're on the road a lot, it's best to go for a higher mileage allowance up front. It'll be more expensive monthly, but way cheaper than paying overage fees later—which can run you 10 to 25 cents or more per mile at the end of your lease.

And if you find you're steadily going under or over your allotted miles, don't wait. Talk to your dealership about renegotiating your numbers or buying your car. It could save you a chunk of change.

State Farm has a wide variety of coverage options — Auto, Home, Life, Business Lines, and Rec Vehicles. Chat with an agent today at statefarm.com®.