I have saved some money commuting by having only one car, and my area makes commuting feasible. But I've learned a few things more recently. That is to never base your decision of "where to live" on your job or occupation. And never choose a job because of commuting "feasibility". None of it is secure now a days. If you live and work in an area where you can commute to work, it is a win win situation financially and health wise.

I've seen the reports about the average annual cost of car ownership (last one was something like $8400!), and generally disregard them, as I don't buy new/near new, and never have. But even if MY annual car costs were less than a THIRD of that, I'm saving money BIG-TIME.

A couple months ago, I spent about $600 on bike stuff for mine (another $400 for my daughter's new bike), and that would get 'paid for' in 8 months of not buying gas ALONE. What I bought will last longer than that, easily.

I don't necessarily have more money in my pocket; what I DO have is a budget that's not constantly in the red.

This hits the nail on the head. Bikes/components/accessories are more sustainable purchases, provided Murphy doesn't somehow find you every single day that you bike-commute. Filling up my gas tank is $60/pop, and will last two weeks due to the short drive to work every week (and the fact that I don't go much anywhere else during the week), but even so, $60 on ONE decent bike component will take you many more miles, for a much longer span of time. Just like with cars, one can get carried away with bike purchases, but if you're smart about it, you can wring so much more use out of your money on a bicycle.

Maybe if you didn't have any car payments which few of would be in this category with the quality of cars today. I started riding with that mentality but discovered a much better reason being I lost weight, feel better, and have fun like I'm 10 again. With that I am hooked and can never go back unless of course the job goes to the crapper and I have to move.