Surviving on One Car
Posted on January 27, 2010 by GuestPost
Categories: Simplification
This is a guest post by Kim Metzler. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.
After my husband and I were married a few years we built our modest home and within a few short years found ourselves parents of 4 children. We were completely financially strapped. Obviously one would think that solution to this situation would be (and what most Americans do) is to have both of us work full-time to float our financial boat.
After pursuing all angles of this option it became clear to us that simplifying our lives made much better sense — both financially and for the best interest of our family. We crunched the numbers which told us that it would cost an exorbitant amount of money to have 3 children in daycare full time plus 1 in ‘before and after school’ care. We realized how much it would cost for me to commute, dress, plus all of the everyday conveniences working moms rely on. After the numbers were in black and white our decision was confirmed.
We then opted to sell a car (resulting in not having a payment, car insurance, gas, repairs etc.) The reality of this was that I even saved money from staying home and not running to store as often as I had before. I found creative ways to do everything!
I became more organized having lists of what we needed so that our trips were efficient when we did go out. Meals were planned so that we weren’t missing anything. The children learned to make their own fun instead of always being on the run.
After some time, I started hosting a playgroup at my house. Every Tuesday afternoon we would have friends over to play while the moms visited. This gave us a social opportunity brought straight to our door. This time was refreshing to the soul!
Since I didn’t have a car, I canceled my gym membership thus saving even more money. I began jogging each day and found that it kept me in shape for virtually free.
I had more time than ever before so I used a clothes line to dry clothing. I cooked and baked from scratch. I bought a few chickens, gardened, and started canning and freezing.
I soon realized that our decision to sell our car was having a wide reaching affect! I could trace back to our decision and see how I saved so much money that I never even counted on saving meanwhile creating a peaceful home for my family.
My children are now 12, 14, 15 & 18. We have since rejoined the 2 car families and I have joined the workforce part-time. I miss the simpler days yet I still practice many of the same money saving strategies that I acquired in my earlier years as a one car family.
Photo by Libertinus
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Comments (1)
Me and my wife only have one car, but there have been occasions when we have had two cars, and I found that I really didn’t like it very much at all, because we saw a lot less of each other, and we weren’t forced to coordinate our lives together so much.
So not only is one car simpler and cheaper, it can also be good for your marriage!