Does anyone walk to work...

**Ebbie** · 01-28-2008, 05:10 PM

...to save money?

After many years of frugality there just aren't a lot of places for me to cut back and save more money. But I do pay $58 a month for a bus pass and it occured to me I could reduce that a lot by walking (I'd still take the bus on night shifts, which is twice a week, and probably on inclement days like snow or rain).

I tried walking to work once and it took an hour, on a good sunny mild day. That kind of scared me off from doing it permanently. But it might be a great way to get in shape since I also need to exercise more and lose weight.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone here already walks to work, if they have advice, how long is the walk and if it's something sustainable over the long haul.

**StaceyS** · 01-28-2008, 05:34 PM

I want to SO badly! I work only 2 miles from home and I KNOW this would help me lose weight, but I'm a bit of a wimp. It's along a VERY busy roadway, and we have really bad winds frequently and when it's hot, it's HOT and I can't tolorate heat well (or sun - very fair skinned girl here!).
We have a little town bus that would take me, but I'd have to walk close to a mile to get to the bus, and then pay $2 (day pass) per day (for basically a 2 mile ride). Not very cost effective for me.

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-28-2008, 05:40 PM

I did, at one point. I guess it depends on how far it is. I was walking about 8 miles, and it was definitely not sustainable. I was exhausted by midday, and could barely make it home if I tried walking both ways on the same day.

Everyone thought I was insane, no one even considered that it was possible to walk that far to work. People still can't even believe I did it. But the buses went on strike, I had no car and didn't make enough in a day to cover a cab.

**HisDaisy** · 01-28-2008, 05:55 PM

I used to walk to work. It was about 2 miles each way, and I loved it. It was hard on cold snowy days and on hot days, but I got used to it. I also lost a ton of weight and was in good shape.
My husband walks to work, but it is only 1/2 mile. It sometimes takes longer to dig out the car and then it does to walk.
If you think that you can do it, I would go for it.

**Missy** · 01-28-2008, 07:26 PM

well...concideing i work off my home computer, yes i do.

DH can't. He's a flooring installer. He can't carry all the tools and materials and get to work. But they carpool and work gave him the vehicle to use to get to work, carry everything and room to pick up coworkers along the way.

I think that I could use a walk just the same though. Maybe I will incorporate a walking schedule into our weeks. On days that are weather permissive.

**Jskell911** · 01-28-2008, 07:57 PM

Seeing as I work 36 miles away, that'd be quite a hike LOL!

**kittykatstrong** · 01-28-2008, 09:36 PM

It is funny I was just thinking about this today. I work 3 miles away on a pretty straight road with sidewalks. I work at 9am so I would have to leave at 8am to get there on time. I will let you know tommarow if I do it.

**peanut** · 01-28-2008, 10:37 PM

DH does, in the dead of winter...if he's not riding his bike! I get a little nervous about the bike on the snowy roads. He only has 5.5 km. to get to work...around 3 miles. It takes him about 50 minutes on a bad day. He actually likes the time to de-stress, relax and clear the cobwebs out of his head.

If the weather is bad, he still takes the bus or the car. Sometimes, if he's walked or biked and the weather turns ugly during the day, I'll take the car and go pick him up. He feels really special then.LOL

I have to admit, he's been doing this several years now, and at 55 he's still tall and thin. He's in pretty good shape, though on windy days he's pretty tired by the time he gets home! I make sure he gets a half hour rest before I call him down for supper.

Jean

**kaykwilts** · 01-28-2008, 10:43 PM

What about riding a bicycle?

**KJayEsq** · 01-28-2008, 11:14 PM

It's too far for me to walk to work, but when the weather gets nicer I would like to ride my bike to work. I could do this on days when I know I am in the office all day. If I have appointments out of the office or out of town, as I frequently do, then I can't do it.

Otherwise, I can't wait for this cold weather to be done so I can get some more mileage on the bike and save a bunch of money on gas!!

**barbc** · 01-28-2008, 11:16 PM

I walk to work! If I drove I would be parking two blocks away.

I do end up driving around for my job, but since that is job related and reimbursed. My office is pretty darn close.

I really feel rather lucky to have found a job I like that is so close.

Barb C

**kittykatstrong** · 01-29-2008, 08:02 AM

I was going to walk to work and then I checked the weather. The temp is suppose to drop to -1 F by the time I go home.

**Ebbie** · 01-29-2008, 08:27 AM

I looked on a map and estimated my distance to work is just over 3 miles. I really wish I lived closer, even 2 miles, and I know for sure I'd give this a go. I don't mind walking, I'm just worried that an hour one way is too much. 1/2 an hour seems perfect, but that's not the case.

I may give it a go as soon as the weather gets more spring-like. I could try easing into it (like take the bus halfway and walk halfway) and see if I can build up my stamina to do it.

**ms. frugal kugel** · 01-29-2008, 09:38 AM

At my old place, I used to walk to work. It was about 50 minutes, basically flat. I didn't do it for the money though. I started walking when I realized how angry I got waiting for the trolley, which was always late and overcrowded. Rather than get out to the trolley stop early in anticipation of it being late, I could just walk, get some exercise and be a lot less angry! I would walk again if I could!

**kestrel91316** · 01-29-2008, 06:55 PM

I have done so, generally one-way. I live 2.5 miles from work, and when I lived 1 block from the bus stop I would take the bus to work in the AM and walk home (being single, there was no rush to get home and feed hungry family). You might consider this if taking the time to walk there AND back is not feasible.

And yes, I lost weight and looked GREAT (the derriere vanished, lol) while I did this. I don't live near a bus stop now, but there is no earthly reason why I can't walk to work AND BACK maybe three times a week and consider that ALL the exercise I need to do.

Tonight I'm walking to Trader Joe's (a mile or so away) and back - need a couple staple items.......