Day One Car Free....
#1
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Day One Car Free....
Today marks the first real day since I was 18 yo where I own no motor vehicle of any sort. (I'm now 28)
I've been on/off again travelling around the world for the past few years, and about 3 months ago, while on tour in Australia, I sold my last car to my neighbour. I came back 2 days ago and the reality of not owning a car is beginning to settle in.
Haven't noticed a difference.
Everyone else in my family owns a car, my parents usually have an extra vehicle floating around and my sister says I can borrow her car anytime. Honestly the only time I actually need a car is when I'm taking my bikes for some serious service work, about once a year.
My job doesn't require me to have a car, as I fly to and from work, and there is a bus that takes me to the airport, so I'm lucky there. I have a GF that doesn't drive either and doesn't' mind using public transportation.
The money I'll save is rather minimal compared to my income. I just don't like driving anymore, cleaning cars, changing oil and I'm really sick and tired of the consumerist attitudes of the western world. I'm also laughing at my family who just bought a brand new SUV and will spend the next 400 working days paying the thing off. My bicycle took 2 hours at work to buy.
I've been on/off again travelling around the world for the past few years, and about 3 months ago, while on tour in Australia, I sold my last car to my neighbour. I came back 2 days ago and the reality of not owning a car is beginning to settle in.
Haven't noticed a difference.
Everyone else in my family owns a car, my parents usually have an extra vehicle floating around and my sister says I can borrow her car anytime. Honestly the only time I actually need a car is when I'm taking my bikes for some serious service work, about once a year.
My job doesn't require me to have a car, as I fly to and from work, and there is a bus that takes me to the airport, so I'm lucky there. I have a GF that doesn't drive either and doesn't' mind using public transportation.
The money I'll save is rather minimal compared to my income. I just don't like driving anymore, cleaning cars, changing oil and I'm really sick and tired of the consumerist attitudes of the western world. I'm also laughing at my family who just bought a brand new SUV and will spend the next 400 working days paying the thing off. My bicycle took 2 hours at work to buy.
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I'm always asked by family members do I need a ride to arrive at their homes. I always but they're always amazed that I walk 2 miles from the train station to their homes. I drive them nuts when I'm using my bike along with train to their home! People with cars can't imagine how I can travel without the use of an motorized engine.
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After one week of not using a car for my own purposes, I've noticed no change in my lifestyle whatsoever. I've walked, rode my bike or taken the bus.
Last edited by SparkyGA; 10-27-12 at 09:30 AM.
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Congrats!
Sadly for me, I just sold my wife's car and replace it with another one. My wife sold her 1992 Acura Legend of 19 mpg local and we got a Scion iQ of 36 mpg local, so it's not too bad. It is half the size of the Legend. And she drives about 10 miles a week and knowing cyclists' attitudes toward cars and I support Critical Mass, we have a license plate frame saying "my other car is a bicycle". Hehehe, I am planning to put bunch of bicycles related stickers on it as well.
Sadly for me, I just sold my wife's car and replace it with another one. My wife sold her 1992 Acura Legend of 19 mpg local and we got a Scion iQ of 36 mpg local, so it's not too bad. It is half the size of the Legend. And she drives about 10 miles a week and knowing cyclists' attitudes toward cars and I support Critical Mass, we have a license plate frame saying "my other car is a bicycle". Hehehe, I am planning to put bunch of bicycles related stickers on it as well.
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