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Don*t spend your hard-earned money on a van unless you*ve sat down and worked out how much you can afford. Spending more money than you*ve got could get you and your business into financial difficulty, and your capital could be better spent on stock or additional employees.

How do I put a budget together?

Your budget for a commercial vehicle doesn*t have to be complicated. You don*t need an in-depth spreadsheet or help from an accountant. Instead, just write down the costs and expenses associated with owning a van. Once you*ve broken those costs down, you can see what the initial cost will be and how much the running costs are going to add up to over time.

* Price * The cost of your van, including taxes, is your single biggest outlay. Before you decide how much you need to spend, take a look at the types of vans on the market and how much they cost. You could find that you can buy a smaller, less expensive van than you thought, or that the fitted panel van you need will cost more than you have. A little bit of research enables you to put a realistic figure on this major expense.

* Insurance * you must be insured to drive your van or truck. Insurance costs will vary depending on the type of work you do, the type of vehicle you buy and the number of people who will be driving. To get an idea of cost, get some quotes online, using the type of van you think you might be buying. Don*t forget that this is an annual cost.

* Running costs * fuel is an ongoing running cost. Whether your van is petrol, diesel or powered by another fuel, there will be cost implications. Again, these are dependent on the type of vehicle you have and the number of miles you do: the more you travel, the more fuel you need. As prices continue to rise, this is an important financial consideration.

* Servicing * you will need to ensure that your van is running smoothly and that it's not likely to breakdown when you least expect it. A 12 month service will have a fixed cost, but expect to pay extra for parts if anything goes wrong.

Take the time to get your budget right and you could be on the road with your new van and a healthy bank balance.