by Helium01

Created on: May 17, 2009

The benefits of going carless

Most of my adult life I have owned a car. In fact, it never occurred to me that I could go without a car for any length of time. So, when becoming carless was forced upon me, my initial reaction was one of dismay. How on earth would I survive without a vehicle? How could I manage day-to-day without transportation?

Although it is true that living without a car for the past 6 months has not been without its difficulties, what I have learned from the situation is that there is more to life than four wheels. Below I would like to share with you some of the benefits of not owning a car.

Narrow your focus

When I owned a car, my days off from work were often busily filled with driving here to buy this, driving there to buy that. Now that I do not have a car, I am forced to narrow my focus to enjoying spending time in my home. I spend more time taking care of my surroundings and enjoy simple things such as reading, writing, and spending time outdoors. When it comes to shopping, I have learned to consolidate my trips into one focused weekly trip with my significant other. My time in the vehicle is valuable and so I do not waste it.

Save money

I have been astounded at the savings from not owning a vehicle. Other than the obvious savings such as car payments and gas, there are so many other expenses that go into owning an automobile that many of us don't think about. Car repairs, insurance, and licensing all add up. In addition, since I don't have a car to go shopping on a whim, I find that I spend less money overall. Whereas before I may have popped out for takeout, I am now forced to plan my meals and make do with what I have.

Get exercise

I do have the benefit of living within walking distance of a small general store. Usually, I take a daily walk to this store, not so much to make purchases, but to get out of the house, clear my head and get some exercise. I don't believe that I would do this daily if I had a car.

Environmentally-friendly

In addition to the benefits to you personally, not owning a car means that you are helping to save the environment. At present I am not working outside the home because I have a small baby that I am looking after, so I do not have to worry about transportation to and from work. However, if I were working, I believe that I could use alternative transportation such as the bus, a bicycle, or my feet, depending on how far I had to travel. Not having a car can help open your eyes to the various options that are available to you.

These are just a few of the reasons that I have enjoyed not owning a car. Although I am sure I will own one again in the future, I have enjoyed my time being carless. Best of all, if I ever decide that these four walls are closing in a little too fast, I have the option of renting a car for a day. This also gives me the chance to try out different makes and models in anticipation of one day having to make a purchase. Why not give going carless a try? You might surprise yourself.

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