Any one car families here

**Palooka** · 05-06-2009, 03:01 AM

And how do you deal with it? My daughter is working a job now and she takes my car Mon, tues, and weds. to work and my husband works far away from where we live.

This is really a huge adjustment for me as I am always used to having a car, just getting up and going when I want, and not really having to plan.

I have to admit the feeling of not having a car 3 days a week is driving me crazy but it is something I am going to have to learn and organize better.

For instance, I went grocery shopping tonight late and never do that and I put it off to the last minute(my fault) because I had to wait for the car. I guess I just really need to plan ahead the errands I need to do...and get them done on the other days or just shop at night. Nothing wrong with shopping at night because I am a night owl, but rather be at home with the family then.

So what is it like for you?

**homemaker66** · 05-06-2009, 05:36 AM

I share my car with my DD and I don't mind because this forces me to have some down time. If the car was home I have to be on the move all the time because I hate sitting around. So for me it is good thing.

**britbunny** · 05-06-2009, 06:07 AM

Hi,

We have one car - I can't drive. It's fine for us, we both walk to work and when we go out we're usually together so it's not an issue. If I ever need to go somewhere in a rush I'll get a taxi, it's cheaper as a one off than me learning to drive and having the expense of two cars.

**savvy_sniper** · 05-06-2009, 08:06 AM

The transmission on my truck needs work and I am saving to pay cash rather than put it on a credit card. Hubby has a truck and a motorcycle, but there are many variables around him riding the bike to work.

So I recently became a person without a vehicle at my disposal 24/7. It has been an adjustment. I have to plan ahead and/or make use of hubby's truck when it is available to me.

It really hasn't been a problem.

**Momto2Boyz** · 05-06-2009, 08:12 AM

We went a year and a half without a car, and I found that it just takes some planning ahead. I actually just bought a car in February, and it's nice to have one again!

It took me a few months to really get used to not having a car at my disposal, but eventually you get used to planning ahead and it actually helped me stay organized!

And we did it, so that we could save on insurance and car payments and pay cash for a "new to us" car, and it worked. So I think that helped me get through the tough times. And it payed off, since I was able to pay cash for a new car in February!

**frugalwarrior** · 05-06-2009, 08:16 AM

My husbands car "burnt up" just before christmas. We got a small settlement from the car co. but used it to pay down bills. We share the van. My husband works from home or out of state so I can use the car when I want. My daughter starts community college this fall if all goes well . I am seriously trying to fiqure this all out myself as it would involve another loan. I may end up driving her to save the $1000. insurance fee. How stupid would you feel if your mom drove you to college every day? If she can't find a job it may be the only option. We cannot feasible pay down debt,save for retirement,pay tuition,pay her ins. w/ a second child graduating in 2 years. Need to win that lottery.

**kittiesmom** · 05-06-2009, 03:29 PM

We have a car and truck but he doesn't drive his truck often to keep it emissions exempt (or whatever the devil he was talking about, I think about unicorns and baking cookies when he launches into something about cars) so he uses car to get to work 2nd shift. It works good, because if I need to do grocery shopping I do it in the morning and he'll get up and watch the girl so I have time alone to really bargain hunt. Then when he goes to work, I live a few blocks away from the mainstreet and most of what I need I can walk to depending on the weather. Then my parent's live a few blocks away from us, so if there is an emergency they can get to us pretty quick. It's not really a pain to only have one vehicle for us, cheaper insurance, less money for gas, aaaand less pollution!!!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 05-06-2009, 03:40 PM

We have a van here and I have no license. If I want to go anywheres, it's either walking or by train. I don't mind.

There's so many stores and stuff around our house that if I ever need anything, it's within a five or ten minute walk. The train costs $2.50 and that lasts two hours with stops and exchanges, so I usually end up spending between $2.50 and $5.00 to go places. The only time we need the van is if we're going to the Children's Hospital or out of town, also to the grocery store to pick me up.

**redhead68** · 05-06-2009, 04:10 PM

One car here, too. When we bought our house last year, we specifically chose a neighborhood that was walkable to my husband's workplace, the grocery, the elementary school, etc. Regional transit also comes right by our house, so it's an option on rainy days. When my husband sees clients away from his office, he usually rides his bike to the light rail. On the days he must drive, I walk or ride my bike if I have somewhere to be. It definitely took some time for us to work out a system, and I've canceled my fair share of appointments because of conflicts, but after a year, we have worked out a schedule that allows for everyone to get their business accomplished with minimal inconvenience. It was really much less troublesome than I imagined it would be when we sold the second car.

**MoonMommy** · 05-06-2009, 06:03 PM

We have had one car for over a year now. My Dh's job is about 3 blocks away, so he walks to work and comes home for lunch. There really is no reason for us to have two cars. Plus, my parents, who have two cars, live about 4 miles from me, so if we ever need to borrow a car it is easy enough for us to do.

**mzpepper** · 05-06-2009, 06:36 PM

I just have my truck and that is fine with me. I try to have as many no-drive days as possible. My DD has been borrowing my truck recently and we have not worked out all the bugs of that arrangement yet. Drives me crazy a bit!

**Judi Dial** · 05-06-2009, 07:43 PM

We have one working car. Since DH works at home most of the time it really isn't a problem. The weekends get tough as we both are used to going to x or y event, solo, and now we're usually together. This means that we talk more about what we're doing when and plan more.

Today I went to the dump, the postoffice, the c store, the hardware store, and the little town market, then came home. The dump is in our town, the rest in the next town over 5 miles from us. I was gone about 1.5 hours and it got me out of the house and DH's hair.

You can get used to it. Just think of all the $ you can save!

Re getting taken to college? Yeah, I got taken to college for about 2 years. Sometimes that's what it takes, that's all! I got married the first time, then got my first job and car....

Judi

**peanut** · 05-06-2009, 08:02 PM

We've been one car all our married life. At first we made sure to live near where DH worked...so he could walk and I could take the car for the day.

But when we moved here we bought location. DH rides his bike to work spring, summer and fall. But winter I'm trapped at home for the most part...-30 C isn't conducive to biking. I just plan my errands ahead of time very carefully...menu plans and grocery lists all prepared the day ahead of shopping. And an ongoing list of places I need to go and things I need to pick up.

I could take public transit and have. When the girls were home and working they either took their bikes or public transit. They were on first name basis with the bus drivers. They also took taxis home from work when they worked late at night. Their workplaces paid for it. Our buses stop running at midnight. And both have taken public transit to university classes and back. It doesn't kill you ya know...

**angelbumpkin** · 05-06-2009, 08:16 PM

We have one car works well for us. We can usually walk or bike most places.

**Palooka** · 05-07-2009, 02:49 AM

Thanks for everyone sharing. I have to say trains and taxis don't really exist here.

Well trains are for coal and taxis would be there if one needed it from an airport. I would love to see this change really though as I live in a sorta big city, but there is nothing close to biking or walking distance here.

Most really good jobs you have to drive down town or cross the state line, which most people here do. A taxi would actually cost way more!

I guess I will have to deal with it until my daughter saves enough money to pay cash for a car and she is well on her way and doing great!