The anxiety of managing finances during tough times is all too real. When bills pile up and income feels stretched, deferring a car lease payment can offer a momentary breath of relief. But before you leap into this option, it's crucial to understand the implications fully. 

On our blog, we've mentioned some outrageous fees dealerships can charge customers when entering or ending a car lease. The truth is, most of the time these unnecessary fees won’t be obvious. They may even seem like a good idea after a quick glance and sly explanation from your salesperson. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a trained eye to notice these up-charges.

Whether it was from your favorite financial advice column, the news, or that one uncle that talks about the stock market too much, you’ve probably heard that buying a car is better than leasing. You may believe it, too, and we don’t blame you. For years, buying has been labeled as "the better option." Is it always, though?

No matter where you’re at in life, obtaining and maintaining a car is a big commitment. Retirement, though, brings its own special considerations – and changes.

We really hope you’re reading this out of pure curiosity. But if What if I crash my leased car? isn't a hypothetical question for you, hang in there—we’ve got you covered.

If you're nearing the end of your car lease and you want to keep your current ride, you might be wondering: can you extend a car lease? The short answer is yes.  But should you? That answer demands a more nuanced conversation. 

If you’re considering a lease buyout, you might be wondering, “Can I avoid sales tax on a buyout?” The answer is a solid “maybe.”

While the prospect of getting a new ride at the end of your lease is exciting, there are several potential fees that can catch you off guard.

So, your leased car is damaged. Most lease contracts include coverage for approved, predictable maintenance, but usually won’t cover damage from accidents (like, say, a mailbox that appeared out of thin air). If you’d rather avoid disclosing the damage, or just like to work on your own cars, you might be wondering – can I repair a leased vehicle myself?

Returning a leased car at the end of a lease is enough of a hassle on its own.   But what happens if your leased vehicle has problems early on? Can you return it, or are you stuck dealing with the repairs yourself?  

Lease End can help you with a lot of things, like advising on buyout options, extended coverage, and financing. There are some things, though, that only you have the answers to. You’ll need to think through these answers before you lease a car, and as you’re preparing to end it.

If you're thinking of modifying your leased car, or if you've already modified your lease car and are worried about resulting fees, we've got a few answers and solutions to help you out.