okie wrote:Cycloptichorn on other threads on this forum claims he or she owns no car, but rides a bicycle. I agree this is not a good option for most people, but think of the savings: no gas, no insurance, no license fees, no repairs, no oil changes. I still think if you do not get into a rush, but keep your eye open for an older car that is well maintained, perhaps from a private owner, that has lower value, but one that is very economical on gas, you might end up better off. That is if you could sell your car and end up with a more economical car without losing any money in the process. The savings in gas could fund any minor repairs for a while. Of course, you would not want any car that will need major repairs in the way of motor or transmission.
It's 'he' but thanks for not assuming.
I think that the optimal solution is not for everyone to get rid of their cars and trucks, but to own a variety of vehicles and use the one which is appropriate to the situation.
I envision myself owning a light truck (hopefully electric or at least hybrid), an electric scooter, and a bicycle or two. Use the appropriate vehicle, mandating the lowest possible, ie if you can use the bike, use it; if not, use the scooter; only as a last resort use the car.
This has several benefits: first, as you say, it is cheaper (repairs and gas go way down); second, it pollutes the environment far less than the traditional method of driving a gas-guzzler everywhere all the time; third, it promotes an active and healthy lifestyle, which not only extends peoples lives, it saves money and brings happiness to one's life; and fourth, it encourages our kids to make responsible choices about the environment and their future.
Quote:Buying a new car is not a good idea in my opinion, or even a car up to 3 or 4 years old, unless you have the money to waste. Most people just look at the payment they can afford, but after the salesman completes his sales job, then here come the higher license and tax fees, higher insurance, you name it. The minute you drive a new car off the lot, you are then upside down on what you owe vs. what the car is worth.
Yup. I don't believe in credit, so I guess I would pay cash for whatever I bought.
Quote:P.S. How about telephones? Do you have both cell and land line? If so, get rid of the land line.
Done, here. Those who use high-speed internet should really look into Vonage, or hell, Time Warner offers flate-rate phone service, no long distance fees, for $25 or so a month, here. That's probably better than other options.
Montana,
Quote:My heating oil bills are doing the same thing and it's freaking smothering me.
Sh*t, yeouch. I've read about how the heating oil increases hurt people, but it's another thing to think about prices doubling in such a short amount of time. We don't even have heating oil here in the South (I'd never even heard of it until gas prices started rising).
Weather-strip those doors and windows! Can't emphasize that enough.
Cycloptichorn
