There's always tons of information on how to survive on one income, but very little on how to survive with just one car -- another great way to save money, especially these days as gas prices continue to rise.
We've successfully survived with one car for a year and a half. It's not been easy. Some weeks have been harder than others. But, despite the compromises, it's been a great way to keep the girls at home for the first years of their life.
Besides the monthly payment and insurance, I estimate that we saved about $4,000 a year by owning just one car. And, by doing so, we also saved another $3,000 by paying off our other vehicle, and avoiding using it much as well.
Here's 5 Ways to Manage as a One Car Family:
1. COMMUTE: There are still very few options for families in the commuting world, but it is possible in many smaller communities, including our third-class city. A bus service from our town to the capitol helped my husband get to work and back three or four days a week for about a year. This option is not for the weak. He had to get up early and got home late since the bus added another hour and a half to his commute time. The benefit, though, was that I was able to use the car. Now, he shares the driving with a co-worker and the schedule is better over all.
2. LEARN TO LOVE WALKING: I've always enjoyed walking, but since becoming a mom I love it more than ever. The days I do not have wheels are often the days I can walk to the farmer's markets, or the used book store or the library. I think of these walks as our outings for the day, as well as a form of exercise. I happen to be able to run errands, too, but that isn't necessarily the purpose. You don't have to live in a city to walk. You just have to be able to walk and a stroller to push, if you have young kids. Each day I try and find a new place to visit on our walks, too, which keeps it interesting for all of us.
3. SCHEDULE AND COMPROMISE: Discussion is important when scheduling who gets the car which days of the week. Both parties need to be aware of what the other person's needs and schedules are each week. When I decided I'd rather have the car Thursdays to go to the park with other moms, my husband was open to switching days. When he has a meeting on Thursday and needs the car, I have to manage. It's never easy, but it's always possible.
4. COMBINE ACTIVITIES: Drop the husband and kids off at the park and hit the closest grocery store. Pick up stamps while on the way to the library. With gas being as costly as it is now, none of us can afford to run single errands anymore. Lucky for us, we've been preparing since we only have one car and limited time. We still have a lot of work to do in this area of one-car living.
5. ENTERTAIN AT HOME: The days I do not have a car are perfect opportunities to invite other moms and their children over for play dates. The best friends in my life right now invite themselves over on Tuesdays -- the day I never have a car. After all, it is nice to hang out at home some days, too, even with young twins.
How about you? How do you manage with just one car? Any tricks to share?
3 comments:
We are a one car family as well. It was a financial and environmental decision. My husband rides his bike to the bus stop every day and I keep the car most days for runs to the park and errands with the boys. We are lucky to live in a college town with a decent bus system. When we buy a home in about a year it'll be a requirement that we be able to continue like this because it's really worked well for us. I've been meaning to write my own blog post about it so you've really encouraged me to set to writing. Hopefully tomorrow I can make the time.
Dawn: Can you email me a link to your post when you write it? Your profile doesn't bring up your blog URL ... Thanks!
And, thanks for sharing. Great point about biking ... our bikes have been in need of repairs. That's top of the June budget, though.
Great post Shawn - adore this topic!
We pretty much manage on NO car. Kids and I use public transit, stroller, or bike + bike trailer. Hubby runs/cycles to work and leaves the company car parked at work. We do it for mama earth, and because we are endorphin junkies. Mental trick for me: I love being fit PLUS I'm frugal, so instead of paying gym fees I keep fit through a variety of commuting modes. It helps I'm always carting around 100+ pounds in kids and metal ;-)
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