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Under: Budgeting & Saving
Car-free to save money?
  • making_it_work
    I just moved back from abroad and am starting a job at a great non-profit organization. I'm considering trying to go car-free for a variety of reasons, one of them being to save money. I have a lot of student debt and want to see if I can avoid owning a car because it would imply taking on new loans. My salary is modest enough that I'd have to save probably for a year or more to buy a used car in cash. Keep in mind that I'm in the Midwest, where public transport is not as robust as other places. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this, particularly in parts of the country where nearly everyone has a car? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.
  • Chelsey
    Can we ask which city? Even in the midwest, some are better than others.
  • making_it_work
    Thanks for writing back. It's Omaha.
  • Kstiens
    It's totally doable if you live close enough to work to walk. Otherwise, buses are in most cities, and I'm sure Omaha's are fine. Also, look into getting groceries delivered... it's environmentally friendly (at least more so than buying groceries with a car) and is so much better than trying to bring groceries home on the bus!
  • AldenWicker
    Have you considered getting a bike? Any trips less than three miles are totally doable, and longer trips you can work up to. You'll get more (free) exercise, and studies show that people who ride bikes to work are also more productive and take fewer sick days. That's doubly awesome for your finances!
  • kurse23
    I live in Portland, and I started biking to work in January. Originally it was just for the exercise, but the benefits of not driving were so great that I sold my car four months ago. No gas, no insurance. I'm in great shape (I bike 2 1/2 miles each way). I can get just about anywhere by bike, bus, or train. For the times when I absolutely need a car, there are services like ZipCar, or I have a great relationship with an older neighbor, and I can borrow her car for some errands. I don't miss having a car at all! It is totally do-able!
  • ismith
    Yes! I've been car free for over 6 years now. I live in a place where rain, cold, and scattered city layout make it difficult but still car-free is doable. I heartily recommend a bike. Even if you decide to splurge on a new one, the cost will be less than most used cars and the depreciation and annual upkeep will be much more moderate. Plus you can skip the gym, saving time and money. I find that what's best for me is to have a working bike but also a plan B, like a city bus or a friend to carpool with, at least for things like big grocery trips. This allows me to feel some autonomy and lets me skip the really crummy weather or crowded bus days.
    If you do go for a bike I recommend getting a rack immediately and making sure you've got a saddle you can get along with. The rack and a set of bungee cords will secure most things in most weather but panniers really help make bike commuting more practical.

    I also highly recommend the book, How to Live Well Without a Car, especially if you can get it out of your library. It's got some basic tips like... if you're switching to a city bus or bike commute, give it a trial run on a weekend before your first jaunt to work but then some more in depth ideas to tailor your car free lifestyle to you, like ordering groceries from a delivery service.
  • making_it_work
    I just ordered that book! I checked the library first but they don't have it.

    I have a bike and love riding it in nice weather, but haven't figured out how to deal on extremely, hot, humid Nebraska summer days (nights are nice, but some days have heat advisories) and the extreme winters with ice, snow, and the occasional week that doesn't get above 12 degrees. I have seen some brave souls who bike even in the dead of winter here and would love to know how they get prepared.
  • AldenWicker
    Hi making_it_work,

    I threw your question up on Facebook and got some great answers! Here you go:

    Nikki Kingery: In Cali I was car-free for my whole life... then I moved to Ohio a few years ago and there is absolutely no way I can be car-free where I live. When I was in the city, I was car-free for the first few years cause I couldn't afford to get a car. Now I'm in the suburbs and it's impossible to get anywhere without a car. No public transportation around, and the roads are dangerous to cycle on. I would recommend buying a car from an auction or some place where you can pay it off and avoid a loan or something if a car is a necessity!
    Friday at 2:32pm

    Louey Bitler: omg i am in the same boat! i bike everywhere too.
    Friday at 2:42pm

    Cassandra Tenny: I'm married but we sold our second car because we live in a downtown area and I an walk everywhere! Such a great decision or our family. Not always easy or perfect, but the right decision nonetheless.
    Friday at 3:31pm

    Shemara Lakin: I have heard that vespa/scooters are cheep, seen some for as low as a thousand dollers! you could save and get one of those if there are no safe bike routs. Bike with a helmet and you can alternat with public transportation or the scooter for longer comutes.
    Friday at 4:53pm

    The 20-Something Budget: There's no good public transportation around here either, so the vast majority of people need their own cars. If you work close enough, though, you could always walk or bike. Also, you might be able to carpool with a coworker if you happen to be on the way for them...
    Friday at 5:32pm

    Joseph Wain: You go girl peddle easy
    Friday at 5:47pm

    Martha Pierce: I'm car free in New York! The city itself is, of course, expensive but not having a car is a problem I don't even have to worry about :)
    Friday at 6:06pm

    Rebecca Ruth Gill: In the summer of 2011, I took my car off the road. I took the step of unregistering my car and cancelling my insurance. I became a bicycle commuter. I saved a total of $1500. I don't have any tips to offer, other than BEWARE of the way not driving may affect your career. Your puntuality, your ability to show up at far away appointments and your appearance will be affected by your new way of commuting. I turned down assignments in a nearby city that I easily could do when I was using my car. I am back to driving, and I only commute by bicycle when I can allow enough time to freshen up after riding.
    11 hours ago

    Rebecca Ruth Gill: Have a great time on your bike rides!
  • Dallas Texas
    Hey Making_It_Work!
    I just saw this. Besides the cold winters, I know where you're coming from! I live in Dallas, where everyone drives and there are limited public transportation options. I started a job at a nonprofit last year that was close enough to my apartment to commute by bike. This is my first summer of bike commuting, so I haven't felt out the 100+ temps yet, but so far I've been fine in the mid-90s. I bike in shorts & a t-shirt and carry work clothes in my backpack. I try to take as many side streets as possible in order to bike more slowly (and thus, sweat less), because on main streets downtown I often feel pressured by cars to bike harder. I'm saving up for a bike rack & panniers to carry my stuff instead of on my back (more sweat aversion tactics).
    I allow myself enough time to freshen up before work starts and I keep a spare purse/brush/etc. at my desk for any meetings. (The spare purse is vital). Most of my time is spent grant writing, so I'm fortunate that my job requires very little traveling or transporting items. But if I do, my coworkers are absolutely the best. I carpool with them as needed and several of them let me borrow their cars if I need to run an errand for work. I hope you're fortunate enough to have a similar experience at your nonprofit, because I wouldn't be able to do this without the flexibility and support of my supervisors and coworkers and I would suggest that as a possible solution to your winter-commuting problem.

    As for biking in the city, bike defensively and own your space. Stay in the middle of the lane and own it. If you drift to the side, people will get tempted to pass you. It's not a bad idea to get a horn or whistle or something. Try to limit the number of times you need to change lanes, even if it means sitting at longer lights. Always carry a spare tube and travel pump; I made that mistake a few weeks into my commute when I hit a pothole.

    The difference between your situation and mine is that I only commute to work. My boyfriend and I share a car (that's paid off) the rest of the time, so for instance, I have no tips for you on how to pick up your dry-cleaning on a bicycle.

    Overall I really enjoy it though. It's been great for my general fitness level, happiness and pocketbook. Good luck!
  • Dallas Texas
    Also keep a spare key to your bike lock at your office! This Spring I was offsite at a conference when a tornado hit downtown. My bike was locked up outside of the office so no one could move it for me! Fortunately it survived the storm, but lesson learned!
  • ebaiden
    Hi there,
    I think you should consider it IF and only IF having a vehicle is not required at your job.
    I did it for 3 years, and I'm proud to say that the only money I spent it on monthly was a 1 month bus pass (consider that for a great savings too, instead of tossing coins daily).
    In contrary to your situation, I have to get a vehicle for my new job, but I was blessed by having a forgiving employer that allowed me to stay inside and do paperwork instead for a few months, and that saved me so much money. I had stashed up enough and now I'm on the process of buying a vehicle with all that money I have saved.

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