Oh, having your own car. The ultimate in transportation convenience and comfort. For those of you whose parents bought you a nice, new car at 16, lucky you. But please be aware that's not real life.

Through high school, my parents let me use our third "run-around" car, but they were very clear that if I wanted my own transportation after high school it would be out of my own pocket. With a savings account not even prepped for the pinch of tuition and housing, I found that buying a car to be a mobile and independent college freshman wasn't going to be possible. So, I ventured up to Utah State without a car my freshman year, which isn't terribly unusual for a freshman. In fact, it really wasn't that bad (but maybe for my roommates who constantly had to haul me around).

After working for another summer following my freshman year, I didn't have quite enough saved to buy a car, but I decided I needed some form of transportation. So, in a moment of boldness, I bought a shiny blue Yamaha Vino scooter and zipped (or putted) up to campus my first semester as a freshman. It was certainly fun during summer and into September (the minimal gas cost and convenience cannot be beat) but when November hit my hands and face were permanently frozen due to exposure from the whipping wind. A scooter isn't exactly the most practical form of transportation in a climate where winter lasts six months, so after a year of joys and freeze-outs, I sold my little scooter.

After another summer of hard work, I determined the time had come to be mobile: I was going to buy a car. Where to start? Buying a car still seemed like one of those impossible grown up things with mysterious paperwork and steps that no one could quite understand. Not to mention I didn't know much about how a car worked and what made a good one. After lots and lots of research, hunting on KSL, test drives, asking for advice from parents, siblings, friends, car salesmen and ultimately lots of patience, I bought a 1997 Toyota Camry. Yeah, it's a bit old sounding, and it's certainly not a beautiful new Audi (sigh ... ), but it's reliable, has low miles, was decently priced and should last forever. I did it. I bought a car all by myself. And I'll tell you, there's a few hoops to jump through but with the right guidance and a little help, anyone can do it. I thought I'd compile six steps to purchasing a car (with a little help from the "major purchases" lecture in my family finance class).

1. Find a friend: Find a partner in your car hunt, someone who knows a thing or two about cars. For me, it was my brother and Dad. Both of them had experience buying cars, working with sellers and had a basic understanding of how cars work and what to watch out for. It was nice to have someone with that knowledge to come along for test drives and help me not feel like I was being pushed around or pressured by sellers.

2. Do some research: Starting from square one can be difficult but begin with some basic research. Begin with a handful of cars you like and start researching online, in magazines like Consumer Reports and ask around for advice or opinions. Use family and friends who own the cars or know about them as resources.

3. If you are buying used (as I did) keep a constant watch on classifieds online. Looking at the updated classifieds on www.KSL.com and www.Craigslist.com was the first thing I did when I woke up, what I did on my lunch break, when I had free time and before I went to bed. It was hard to be patient after a month and a half of eating, sleeping and breathing KSL.com, but it paid off when I finally found the car I was looking for.

4. Test drive, test drive, test drive: After looking at literally hundreds of classifieds and driving all over the Salt Lake valley for test drives, I found it amazing how much sellers DON'T mention in their ads. Like how the entire back bumper is dented in or the locks are broken or the front bumper looks like someone took a power sander to it or the lights are broken and duck taped or that the check-engine light has been coming on and off for weeks or that the car smells like moldy bread (all of which I encountered on my hunt for a car). These problems would have gone undiscovered if I hadn't test driven the cars. While test driving a car, don't be afraid to drill the seller with questions. Ask them how long they've owned the car, what problems they've had with it, if it's ever been in any accidents, when the tires were last replaced, how many owners it's had, what they've liked about the car, if it's ever been broken in to, why they're selling it, etc. The more you dig up now, the less you'll be surprised with when you take it home. And the less surprises, the better. Test driving lots of cars can help you know for sure when you've found "the one." I have seen everything from good to terrible, so when I found a great car I knew it.

5. Take to a trusted mechanic: You've taken the car for a drive, drilled the seller with questions and fully inspected the car with your partner in the hunt and think you've found the keeper? Take the car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection. Inspections typically cost between $25-50 and are helpful because they will make you aware of any problems the car may have. If there aren't any major problems, great. Your car hunt may be over. If there are problems, you will need to decide whether they are repairable issues that won't cause further problems or if it's back to the hunt. Here's where having a friend who knows about cars and hiring a trusted mechanic comes in handy they can help you make these kinds of decisions.

6. Mull it over: So you've test driven it and taken it to a mechanic. Everything is getting the green light and your giddy with the thought of KSL.com not consuming your free time but don't buy it right away. Let the seller know you're very interested and would like some time to think about it. Go home and think it over; look over your other contending options, talk it through with your friends or family and make a decision. If you still feel good about it the next day, make the purchase.

Coming from a girl clueless about cars, turns out it isn't as scary or as overwhelming as it may seem. With patience and a little help, it can be an enjoyable hunt finding a treasure certainly worth the trouble. Owning my own car has been incredibly convenient and allowed for flexibility in my busy schedule. Have any suggestions that you think finding and buying a car a little easier? Let me know. Leave a comment below.

Bargain of the Week: Every friday is free bagel day at Einsteins! Go in before 11 a.m. and get a free bagel, no purchase necessary.

Each week I'll be sharing a tip or bargain of the week- ways to save money or make the most out of it. Got an idea or heard about a discount? Please comment below or send me an e-mail.

Karlie Brand is a junior in public relations. "Watching Your Wallet" will appear online each Wednesday. Questions or comments can be sent to karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu