Well Guys I finally did it, I am car-less.
Actually it’s not that dramatic, exciting or life-changing – in fact it’s only temporary. I am enforced car-less, as my car broke down last Friday. In billows of smoke my Daughter and I abandoned the car outside the local school and headed home.
I called the Hubby to seek his advice, which was – ‘Did you check it wasn’t on fire before leaving it outside the school?’.
My reply to which was – ‘Er no I didn’t’.
After a hasty return to check that said car was indeed not on fire outside the local school, I resigned myself to the fact that I would be temporarily car-less.
When I say resigned myself, I actually embraced the prospect, as I have aspirations to use my car much less, but lack the willpower.
So how’s it been going?
Saturday – no car required
Sunday – car required to ferry Kids to party about 8 miles away – used Hubby’s as it was the weekend – but realised that actually we could have got a lift from another Mom had I just thought to ask!
Monday – Walked to school, and borrowed a car to take Kids to swimming lessons about 6 miles away (we will be moving lessons to the local pool within walking distance soon)
Tuesday – Walked to school and playgroup. Did drive car to workshop where it is being repaired (with an escort carrying jump leads in his van following me)
Not bad so far. There hasn’t been anything that I couldn’t sort out and make arrangements for.
However tomorrow, Wednesday, I have had to cancel an appointment. I am volunteering at a High School to guide the students in how to organise a fundraiser. As I had thought, being without a car is difficult when it comes to the day job (either paid or unpaid). I could get the train, but I have to drop my Son off with my Sister first, and that cannot be done via public transport. I could get a taxi, but as it’s not a paid job I am reluctant to do this for a 30 minute volunteering session – it will be a hefty fare.
Thursday I am visiting a friend who lives a 50 mile round trip away, but another friend has already offered to drive.
Friday is the tough day. My Son goes to nursery (daycare) on Friday for the day, and it is 3 miles apart from school so I normally drive that day. We have reduced his place at nursery from two days as I try to simplify our family life further. We are trying to use the Village Playgroup more which is walkable and more economic. But at the moment I do need a full day covered so that I can work. Better get my thinking cap on….
There’s a lot of relying on others at the moment and asking favours. I’m not managing without a car, I am just managing without MY car. Even so – so far so good!
If you want to read up on how to go car-less properly then check out The Minimalist Mom or Rowdy Kittens – both Rachel and Tammy are living the car-free dream!
Anyone else looking to reduce their car usage, how are you getting on, any tips to share?
We’re trying to sell both our cars back
In New Zealand and living car free in Australua. I’m fine with it but you have to adjust life accordingly. Lilo still makes arrangements to meet friends miles away and buys things off eBay that need a car to pick up. It’s no wonder he’s getting frustrated.
It is an adjustment long-term, for me it’s a novelty at the moment. I am able to cancel tomorrows appointment as it was an extra session I didn’t commit to when offering to volunteer. Just do not know how I would do the day job without a car, I work from home a lot but do have to go out to meetings nationwide. It’s all the prep in advance also – like Lilo I have friends I want to visit (an hour away in some cases) and think nothing of it. Glad it’s working out for you Guys over in Oz!
We’re trying to sell both our cars back
In New Zealand and living car free in Australua. I’m fine with it but you have to adjust life accordingly. Lilo still makes arrangements to meet friends miles away and buys things off eBay that need a car to pick up. It’s no wonder he’s getting frustrated.
It is an adjustment long-term, for me it’s a novelty at the moment. I am able to cancel tomorrows appointment as it was an extra session I didn’t commit to when offering to volunteer. Just do not know how I would do the day job without a car, I work from home a lot but do have to go out to meetings nationwide. It’s all the prep in advance also – like Lilo I have friends I want to visit (an hour away in some cases) and think nothing of it. Glad it’s working out for you Guys over in Oz!
We’re trying to sell both our cars back
In New Zealand and living car free in Australua. I’m fine with it but you have to adjust life accordingly. Lilo still makes arrangements to meet friends miles away and buys things off eBay that need a car to pick up. It’s no wonder he’s getting frustrated.
It is an adjustment long-term, for me it’s a novelty at the moment. I am able to cancel tomorrows appointment as it was an extra session I didn’t commit to when offering to volunteer. Just do not know how I would do the day job without a car, I work from home a lot but do have to go out to meetings nationwide. It’s all the prep in advance also – like Lilo I have friends I want to visit (an hour away in some cases) and think nothing of it. Glad it’s working out for you Guys over in Oz!
I enjoyed this post because it gave me a glimpse into your day-to-day! You sound like you’re doing wonderfully for now! It’s so much harder for us who live outside of major metropolitan areas (and their efficient public transportation systems)! But you make a great point: We could all get around with less car if we just used our imagination. Maybe one day it will be the norm to ask a friend for a ride first and use our cars second!
I’m still reliant on others having cars though! Managing at the moment so hopefully it will encourage me to walk more and as you say use my imagination! Hugs from England x
I enjoyed this post because it gave me a glimpse into your day-to-day! You sound like you’re doing wonderfully for now! It’s so much harder for us who live outside of major metropolitan areas (and their efficient public transportation systems)! But you make a great point: We could all get around with less car if we just used our imagination. Maybe one day it will be the norm to ask a friend for a ride first and use our cars second!
I’m still reliant on others having cars though! Managing at the moment so hopefully it will encourage me to walk more and as you say use my imagination! Hugs from England x
I enjoyed this post because it gave me a glimpse into your day-to-day! You sound like you’re doing wonderfully for now! It’s so much harder for us who live outside of major metropolitan areas (and their efficient public transportation systems)! But you make a great point: We could all get around with less car if we just used our imagination. Maybe one day it will be the norm to ask a friend for a ride first and use our cars second!
I’m still reliant on others having cars though! Managing at the moment so hopefully it will encourage me to walk more and as you say use my imagination! Hugs from England x
I’m impressed! Going car-less is relatively easy for us logistically (it was more the emotional tie to car ownership that was harder to sever).
Is it just me or did parents carpool more when I was a kid?
Good luck this week =)
Thanks Rachel – I’m enjoying it – but the weather is treating us kindly! My Mom never learnt to drive, so we walked or bused everywhere. When I was at primary school I only ever went in a car one week a year when we went on holiday down South. Friday is going to be interesting… I have a plan but it’s going to be one long school/nursery run if I stick to it! Which I may do just to see if I can pull it off even if the car is back on the road…
I’m impressed! Going car-less is relatively easy for us logistically (it was more the emotional tie to car ownership that was harder to sever).
Is it just me or did parents carpool more when I was a kid?
Good luck this week =)
Thanks Rachel – I’m enjoying it – but the weather is treating us kindly! My Mom never learnt to drive, so we walked or bused everywhere. When I was at primary school I only ever went in a car one week a year when we went on holiday down South. Friday is going to be interesting… I have a plan but it’s going to be one long school/nursery run if I stick to it! Which I may do just to see if I can pull it off even if the car is back on the road…
I’m impressed! Going car-less is relatively easy for us logistically (it was more the emotional tie to car ownership that was harder to sever).
Is it just me or did parents carpool more when I was a kid?
Good luck this week =)
Thanks Rachel – I’m enjoying it – but the weather is treating us kindly! My Mom never learnt to drive, so we walked or bused everywhere. When I was at primary school I only ever went in a car one week a year when we went on holiday down South. Friday is going to be interesting… I have a plan but it’s going to be one long school/nursery run if I stick to it! Which I may do just to see if I can pull it off even if the car is back on the road…
Hey Jo, even though it was a forced change, it’s great that you’re trying to make a go of this!
Brooke and I have been a 1 car family for over 6 months now and to tell you the truth there has only been a few times having a second car would have come in handy. I do, do a lot of walking and riding a bike as she uses the truck for her work commute with Liam, but the time I get to spend outdoors is amazingly refreshing to me. Even if it’s -10° outside!
I think people depend on vehicles, thus use resources that are further distances, but without a car these resources (school, day-care, etc.)could be located much closer to allow for a simple walk.
Good luck with your venture and please let me know if you have any questions to help your transition!
Eric
Cheers Eric – you are right – I have been moving everything closer to home but some things I still have to travel for. It’s the two kid dilemna I have. My son is too small to walk everywhere, but my daughter is not yet big enough to bike alongside me whilst Son is in his seat/carrier on the back of mine. I imagine it will get easier once both at school together! Well done on the 1 car!
Hey Jo, even though it was a forced change, it’s great that you’re trying to make a go of this!
Brooke and I have been a 1 car family for over 6 months now and to tell you the truth there has only been a few times having a second car would have come in handy. I do, do a lot of walking and riding a bike as she uses the truck for her work commute with Liam, but the time I get to spend outdoors is amazingly refreshing to me. Even if it’s -10° outside!
I think people depend on vehicles, thus use resources that are further distances, but without a car these resources (school, day-care, etc.)could be located much closer to allow for a simple walk.
Good luck with your venture and please let me know if you have any questions to help your transition!
Eric
Cheers Eric – you are right – I have been moving everything closer to home but some things I still have to travel for. It’s the two kid dilemna I have. My son is too small to walk everywhere, but my daughter is not yet big enough to bike alongside me whilst Son is in his seat/carrier on the back of mine. I imagine it will get easier once both at school together! Well done on the 1 car!
Hey Jo, even though it was a forced change, it’s great that you’re trying to make a go of this!
Brooke and I have been a 1 car family for over 6 months now and to tell you the truth there has only been a few times having a second car would have come in handy. I do, do a lot of walking and riding a bike as she uses the truck for her work commute with Liam, but the time I get to spend outdoors is amazingly refreshing to me. Even if it’s -10° outside!
I think people depend on vehicles, thus use resources that are further distances, but without a car these resources (school, day-care, etc.)could be located much closer to allow for a simple walk.
Good luck with your venture and please let me know if you have any questions to help your transition!
Eric
Cheers Eric – you are right – I have been moving everything closer to home but some things I still have to travel for. It’s the two kid dilemna I have. My son is too small to walk everywhere, but my daughter is not yet big enough to bike alongside me whilst Son is in his seat/carrier on the back of mine. I imagine it will get easier once both at school together! Well done on the 1 car!
Oh this topic is so difficult for me! We had only one car for a long time, but because my fiance works from home and does video shoots, and has to pick up his son 45 miles away 2-3 times a week, he always ended up needing it. I don’t mind taking the light rail to work, but then I can’t easily get to the gym after work as there are no nearby and then I wouldn’t get home until 8 or 9 pm! So I broke down and bought a car 2 years ago. It’s made my life much simpler, but I hate the thought that we own 2 cars.
Can’t wait to finally get to work from home so I don’t have to have this extra one anymore.
It is a tough one, I managed for 6 days but did have to borrow. I am intending on reducing the usage going forward, but do not think at this time I could go without. Also having kids makes it that little bit harder… I work from home, but still need a car as I have to meet clients, go to meetings etc… and having kids it’s also a tight schedule getting to and from picking up etc…
Oh this topic is so difficult for me! We had only one car for a long time, but because my fiance works from home and does video shoots, and has to pick up his son 45 miles away 2-3 times a week, he always ended up needing it. I don’t mind taking the light rail to work, but then I can’t easily get to the gym after work as there are no nearby and then I wouldn’t get home until 8 or 9 pm! So I broke down and bought a car 2 years ago. It’s made my life much simpler, but I hate the thought that we own 2 cars.
Can’t wait to finally get to work from home so I don’t have to have this extra one anymore.
It is a tough one, I managed for 6 days but did have to borrow. I am intending on reducing the usage going forward, but do not think at this time I could go without. Also having kids makes it that little bit harder… I work from home, but still need a car as I have to meet clients, go to meetings etc… and having kids it’s also a tight schedule getting to and from picking up etc…
Oh this topic is so difficult for me! We had only one car for a long time, but because my fiance works from home and does video shoots, and has to pick up his son 45 miles away 2-3 times a week, he always ended up needing it. I don’t mind taking the light rail to work, but then I can’t easily get to the gym after work as there are no nearby and then I wouldn’t get home until 8 or 9 pm! So I broke down and bought a car 2 years ago. It’s made my life much simpler, but I hate the thought that we own 2 cars.
Can’t wait to finally get to work from home so I don’t have to have this extra one anymore.
It is a tough one, I managed for 6 days but did have to borrow. I am intending on reducing the usage going forward, but do not think at this time I could go without. Also having kids makes it that little bit harder… I work from home, but still need a car as I have to meet clients, go to meetings etc… and having kids it’s also a tight schedule getting to and from picking up etc…