One Car Family

Well, I wouldn't say that it is official yet . . . We are seriously considering becoming a one car family. I have been pretty depressed and, well, angry the last couple of days. We have been looking for a car for 11 days now. I decided to research the costs of using the local bus system. We live literally a stone's throw from a bus stop.

We actually live on what I would consider one of the most important bus lines. It even runs with consistency on the snow routes. Not that L-burg gets much snow. I am within .4 of a mile of our bank, .1 of a 24 hour drugstore, .2 of the grocery. I can get to Wal-Mart, LU, Indoor PLayground for Lily, the Target shopping center all without a transfer. I can even get Lily to her pediatrician's office with only 1 transfer. I have to admit that I have never used a bus system. I've used the Metro in DC and MARTA in Atlanta, but I have never been on a city bus.

Well, by my estimates we can save at least $100 a month going this route. It cost $40 a month for an unlimited pass. Our insurance costs would drop by $40 a month (it would be more, but we are losing the multi-car discount on the remaining car). Our gas budget would drop by $110 a month. I have not even figured in the cost of maintenance that we would save.

Now, I just need to get up the nerve and try the bus and see if I survive!