Here's another book that you should read. The author comes at it largely from a financial point of view, but clearly there are many other benefits for your health, stress reduction, the environment, a simpler life,... The average American spends 1/5th of their income on cars. This is the dumbest financial move anyone can make. Even if you're like me and drive beaters, the cost of gas, repairs, taxes, registration, title, and on and on, costs you far more than you think, and then there's the stress! For instance, $350 saved monthly and invested at an 8% annual return would yield $64,031. In reality, most folks spend far more than this.
My family has two vehicles, and this has always bugged me. We have small children though so we do sort of need the van, but I'm thinking perhaps we could go car-lite. However, the commute to my boring job is straight up a steep hill and I don't relish biking that every day. The ride home is a dream though. I just need to bite the bullet methinks and try it for a couple weeks, but our hills are much like San Francisco's. Then of course there are the brutal winters, but where there's a will there's a way. Anyhow, I think having just one car is a decent middle ground that just about any family could do. Being car-free would be a dream though. One could still rent a car occasionally rather than pouring money down a toilet. This is one example where the environment and pocketbook could both benefit. The book is worth your time, and won't take much of it either. There are lots of ideas and examples that will at least challenge your car addiction.
No comments:
Post a Comment