5 things that your first car teaches you!

I am sure, everyone remembers their first car—not only the make and the model but how the steering wheel felt in our hands, the scent of the interior. First cars make for more than just nostalgic memories, though—they’re often the first “big thing” we’re responsible for. And as with many firsts, our first cars were the tools of our learning experiences, from the minute we laid eyes on them before purchase to the moment we realized we had outgrown them and it was time to move on.

First cars can teach us many things; here are a few that really stuck for me:

Responsibility: When you assume ownership of your first car and begin to do all the fun things that come with having your own method of transportation, you quickly learn that you’re not only responsible for its upkeep and your own safety, but you’re also responsible for the safety of your passengers and the fellow drivers in your immediate proximity. Your first car teaches you to be vigilant and mindful of yourself—and your surroundings—to ensure that the road is a safe place for everyone.

Budgeting: Gas and maintenance certainly aren’t free, and many of us got our first jobs to be able to afford our first cars. There’s really nothing like a healthy amount of financial obligation to motivate you into getting smart about your spending. Paying for your first car is one of your first lessons in money management, helping you on your way to becoming a budgeting pro.

Self-Reliance: Getting safely from point A to point B is easy when you’re riding in the passenger seat, but when you're driving your own vehicle; the job is all up to you. Whether it’s by changing your first spare tire on the side of the rod, learning how to replace your own oil, or figuring out how to read a map on your first long trip, your first car puts you in charge, building in you a self-reliance that’s an integral part of becoming an adult.

Selflessness: When you finally get your first car, you’re finally in the position to give friends a lift, offer a jump-start in the grocery store parking lot, and help friends of the family move into a new home and more. In general, your first vehicle gives you the ability to help people out like never before. For this reason, your first car teaches you how to be selfless—it teaches you how to give to others what you can, when they’re in need.

Joy: There’s nothing like the open road to give you a sense of total freedom and joy, and to make you appreciate what a privilege it is to be able to get up, get out and drive anywhere you want to go. Your first car offers you these new found moments of happiness—unconfined opportunity, a world that knows no bounds—and the ability see anything and do anything, as long as you know how to get there. Your first car is one of your first experiences with the expansive freedom that driving offers, teaching you the joy of the open road.

7 Must Haves for a first car owner

The experience of having your first car--brand-new or used--is one of life’s greatest milestones. For those who were not born into wealth, the first car is a “level up” moment, an achievement level unlocked that is both exciting and just slightly nerve-racking.

First, you don’t have to commute anymore unless you really have to. You can go pretty much anywhere you want for as long as you have gas and bridge toll money. But it also brings with it certain moments that will really test your mental tenacity, and possibly your emotional stability as well.

Like sitting for hours in traffic jam, holding your steering wheel, learning to parallel-park, for example. Or the anxiety you will feel the first time your car engine suddenly stops working, or when the heat meter needle starts climbing or even the simple challenge of changing a flat tire for the first time.

Before you head off to the shop for bigger rims or that bitch-ass sound system, may we suggest you equip yourself first with the following essentials of daily driving. None of them will cost you a fortune, but we assure you that having them will greatly increase the pleasure you have out of driving your car.

1. Driving sunglasses: Aviators and Wayfarers will never go out of style. Aside from the classic look, their large coverage will protect your eyes from glare and will make anyone feel like Maverick. If you’re nearsighted or suffer from astigmatism, invest in graded lenses so you can see properly. Or get Lasik. “Kick the tires and light the fires!”

2. Cleaning kit: Run over to the car-care section of the supermarket and get the

following: several “chamois-type” and microfiber cleaning cloths, a big bottle of car shampoo, a sponge, a pail, a bottle of tire black, some fabric/leather shampoo, and some other odds and ends to keep your baby looking and smelling nice all year round. You’ll probably have your car washed outside most of the time, but doing the deed yourself with the right equipment every once in a while is great bonding time.

3. Car charger: As you know the charging issue of smartphones, having a car charger will give you an extra comfort every time.

4. Car jack and cross wrench: You will get a flat tire several times in your life, and usually at the most inconvenient moments. A car jack and a cross wrench will drastically save you time and energy, as well as impress your companions when you single-handedly change a tire in less than 10 minutes.

5. Flashlight: Coupled with the jack and the cross wrench is the trusty flashlight. Don’t get the cheap plastic ones at the grocery. Get a sturdy, high-power Maglite or something similar. You will only understand the value of it when needed.

6. Air freshener: Once that new-car smell has faded away, your car will smell like your last workout and the Happy Meal you ordered at the drive-through. Get rid of it. Get an air freshener.

7. A nice umbrella: If you saw Kingsman: The Secret Service, then you already know that gentlemen use a proper 'brolly. For obvious reasons, an umbrella will keep your head and your date’s head dry as you enter/exit the car during a downpour. Don’t rely on the gaudy, cheap corporate giveaways. Get a nice, understated, reasonably sized umbrella from the department store.