Did you know that on average it costs around $10,000 to own a car per year? While autonomy and control are great benefits to owning a car, imagine never having to deal with car expenses, parking, and sitting in wall-to-wall traffic. Believe it or not, it’s very doable to get to work without owning a car–even if you live outside of the city. With new technology and ride-sharing services, living without a car is now very affordable and practical.
Benefits of Living Without a Car
You may be wondering, “Why does it cost so much to own a car?” Beyond the actual monthly payment, you’ll pay for car insurance, tolls, depreciation, gas, and maintenance costs. You may be at a breaking point of replacing your current vehicle or that trying to decide if it’s time to sell your vehicle or pay for a major repair. Compared to paying around $35 a day to own a car, alternative transportation options seem fairly cheap. So, what’s the best way to commute without a car? Read below to find out!
Four Options to Living Without a Car
Cycling
What’s a way to get to work and get a cardio workout? Use the bicycle lane and get to peddling your way to a healthy lifestyle. Cycling will save you money and burn calories in the process. Don’t have a bike? Just visit your nearest retail store or bicycle shop near you. They will provide you with the right bike for your height and style.
Public Transportation
The first and most familiar way to live without a car is to use public transportation. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), switching to public transportation saves an average of $803 a month. On top of major savings, you can relax on your way to work. You can enjoy a book, play a game, or send out an email with ease. On top of taking the train, bus, or subway, there are plenty of bike-sharing services available in most cities. Who wouldn’t want to get fit and save hundreds of dollars every month?
Ride Sharing
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are really what make “getting around” possible. Now, workers that live in suburban areas also have the ability to get to work without actually owning a car. While both offer reasonable rates, at surge times they aren’t always cost-effective. For those looking for cheaper alternatives, luckily there are other ride-sharing services available–but there’s a twist.
If you’re still on the fence, there are also services like Zipcar and Car2Go that combine the best of rental cars and ride-sharing into one. Need a reliable ride to work? Use Zipcar’s monthly commuter plan for $199 a month. It’s the best of both worlds: have a reliable ride to work without paying for gas, insurance, parking, or maintenance costs.
Carpooling
What’s a really easy way to get to work faster? Use the HOV lane! Carpooling with coworkers saves money for you and time for the driver. Don’t know of any coworkers that live near you? Use an app like Waze Carpool to ride with other commuters in your area.
Join the Growing Trend of a Car-less Society
Are you ready to make the switch, save thousands of dollars a year, and get cash for your used car? With new technology and ride-sharing services, living without a car has never been easier. Get your 1800-Cash-for-Junk-Cars instant cash quote now! We can even have cash in your hands in as little as 24 hours, call us now!
