Save Money on Transportation

Here in Australia most families have a car and many families have 2 cars.
The cost of owning and running a car is accepted by many as just the necessary overhead cost of everyday life.

However when you stop to consider all of the expense involved it starts to make sense to consider alternative transport arrangements.

We sold our car in August last year just before we went overseas.
We certainly don't miss the depreciation. service charges, maintenance, fuel, tyres, insurance, registration, parking charges, speeding tickets and carwash expenses. Many people spend 20% or more of there income on these car expenses. So in effect they are working one day a week just for the car,

For the last 3 months we have managed fine without a car. We Ride the bus. everyday or two and walk or ride a bicycle around sometimes. The supermarket and other local business will deliver goods for a small fee. We calculate that in about 6 months without a car we will save enough to go overseas for a month or so.

We have noticed that we are getting a lot fitter since we sold the car.

We are fortunate that our daughters school is just 5 minutes walk from home. My daughter's first day walking to school.

It is true that we have to plan our outings and shopping a little more carefully but this is a small inconvenience really. We have found that travelling interstate is much easier and cheaper by public transport. It is also possible to hire a car or even a truck very easily  for a day or two at reasonable cost.

In recent months I have noticed an increasing number of folks zipping around town on motorised bicycles. These bikes have motors of less than 200 Watt power output and can be ridden without registration
license or insurance just like a bike. These bikes can have electric or petrol motors and are certainly a low cost way to travel that may become more fashionable soon particularly amongst the more intrepid retirees.

Electric Bikes are an interesting alternative. 

If you are considering a motorised bike you should investigate rules for your state, the 200 watt petrol motor conversion kit are a low cost ($385)option compared to the electric kits. There are some stylish 48cc "Easy Rider" style choppers about.

It is possible to spend thousands of dollars on a top of the range push bike.

However I bought my machine for just $30 at a thrift shop and it goes just fine.  In summer time it is just a 15 minute ride from our home to some really magnificent scenic beaches and fishing spots. It makes more sense to me to spend a day at the beach than a day working to support a gas-guzzler.

For some readers it may be more practical to buy a bicycle or conversion kit online. There is a very large range available on Amazon.com for example.