the object of the hubby’s intention cc Flickr photo credit: Mrs. Gemstone
I almost fell over last week when my husband uttered these words: “I think we should go to one car for a year.” <cue my jaw dropping to the ground>
I knew he was committed to paying off debt, like me, and that he was willing to try going to one car, but a year?! That was way more than I hoped for.
We have a great relationship, but let’s just say we’re BOTH pretty good at spending money, and justifying it to ourselves and each other. Unfortunately two spenders does not make a marriage richer.
Learn more: 3 Tips To Manage Marriage & Money
He knows what he wants to replace our dead car. He knows what it will take to make that happen, and make sure that we aren’t killing ourselves just to make a car payment.
The first step is to sell the old car.
Fortunately our mechanic offered to buy it, we’re planning on working that deal out in the next week or two. We could sell it via Craig’sList or the like, but to be honest I don’t feel comfortable selling it to just anyone. It’s not safe in the condition it is in (the axle needs to be replaced, if it isn’t - the wheel will literally fall off while someone drives it), and we know he’s going to put the work into it needs. Yes, he’ll get a profit, but not an obscene one. The labor charges are why we won’t have it fixed, but he can do it for about $700-1,000+ in parts and get about $1,000 for his investment.
That money will immediately go into a new ING Savings Account, called Hubby’s New Car. We’ll also be adding a minimum of $200/month to that account. Automatically saved, of course.
Learn more: Successful Saving Strategies
Next, we’ll focus on paying off my car which has a huge monthly payment thanks in part to a series of expensive, stupid mistakes we made years ago. Buying the car that died, and then having 2 more babies, and then leasing a van, and THEN buying a van. (you can blame this all on me since I’m the one with the womb)
In about a year we should have a paid for car, a sizeable downpayment, and better credit scores which will make buying a car and taking on a payment much easier to swallow.
Ideally we would be able to stick with one car, or fully pay for the car in cash, but we have other goals that need to be met at the same time so we’re taking a multiprong approach.
The hubby found out last week that Honda may be releasing a Honda Fit Hybrid in Fall 2010. So that’s our goal, and I think having something tangible to help us save, and pay off debt will be really, really good for us.
This month is an easy month for us, we’re on vacation this week, and have no obligations during hubby’s work hours until school starts August 31st. That’s when the real fun will start.
Here’s an update about how our one car experiment worked.
Changes we’re making due to a one car life:
- “investing” in exercise wear: since I’ll be walking at least 4 miles a day come September I need to “invest” in some clothes to wear for walking. My new gear is all mommy-workout friendly. Yoga pants, breathable materials, and a new pair of shoes are also on my list.
- tuning up the stroller: I’ll be using it daily, so we’ll spend some time tuning up my AWESOME Mountain Buggy Urban Double Stroller.*
- creating a car schedule: So hubby doesn’t stress if we need the car, I’ll stick to 2 days a week where I take him into to work and pick him up.
- pre-planning errands: I’ll plan errands for times when I’m without the kids, or with less of them, and all our errands will get done in one or two trips.
Are you carless, or a sharing a car? Anything you think I’ve missed in terms of planning for a one car lifestyle?
Kelly
*This is an Amazon affliate link, but I did not pay that much for a stroller. I paid about half that price. 🙂
budget says
More than 70% of people with over a net worth $1,000,000 buy used cars and nearly none ever lease a car. These people know I to save and make money so I buy used also. I commend you on moving to a one car lifestyle.
Kate says
We’re on a one-care system as well. But we’ve always lived in cities with decent public transit. Currently, the car is mine as I work about 10 miles away and fiance can walk in just about 20 minutes to his work.
We don’t have children and live in a small city so it works out easily for us. I’m impressed that with children and living in the suburbs, you’re willing to tackle it! Good for you!
Kate says
We’re on a one-care system as well. But we’ve always lived in cities with decent public transit. Currently, the car is mine as I work about 10 miles away and fiance can walk in just about 20 minutes to his work.
We don’t have children and live in a small city so it works out easily for us. I’m impressed that with children and living in the suburbs, you’re willing to tackle it! Good for you!
Awesome post. I believe in you. It sounds like you got a good start to living with one car.
I am adding this post to my weekly round up and also giving it a good stumble.
Chris
Awesome post. I believe in you. It sounds like you got a good start to living with one car.
I am adding this post to my weekly round up and also giving it a good stumble.
Chris
Yum Yucky says
Great move. Hubby and I have been one car livin’ for 5 years now. He busses it to work. I take the car. No regrets.
Yum Yucky says
Great move. Hubby and I have been one car livin’ for 5 years now. He busses it to work. I take the car. No regrets.
I’m looking forward to hearing how the one car scenario works out for you. Congratulations on giving it a try.
We’re the type that buy new cars and then keep them forever. My husband’s car is 11 years old and we don’t have any plans of replacing it for at least a few years.
I’m looking forward to hearing how the one car scenario works out for you. Congratulations on giving it a try.
We’re the type that buy new cars and then keep them forever. My husband’s car is 11 years old and we don’t have any plans of replacing it for at least a few years.
Kosmo @ The Casual Observer says
We have two cars. I firmly believe in driving a car until it starts “quartering” me. That’s a term that think I’ve coined (but perhaps not). Nickels and dimes are bad - a few $300 repair bills in a year sound bad at the time, but not so bad when stacked up to the annual cost of a new car. New transmission an such - yeah, that’s when it’s time to dump the car 🙂
My goal is always to get at least 130,000 miles out of a car. My current commuter car is a 98 Contour with just 107K miles (it was my wife’s car and got relatively light use before we met). .
The “new” car is a 2006 Taurus with about 40K miles on it. We bought it as a program car - so it wasn’t “new”, but only had 9500 miles and a few months of previous use - and the price was considerably lower than a new one would have been. The first 10K miles of a car can be expensive!
Hey - thanks for adding me to your blog roll. Not sure if this was a recent addition, or if it’s been there and I’ve just spaced it off. You’ve been on my blog roll since shortly after my blog started. Good stuff - keep up the good work.
Kosmo @ The Casual Observer says
We have two cars. I firmly believe in driving a car until it starts “quartering” me. That’s a term that think I’ve coined (but perhaps not). Nickels and dimes are bad - a few $300 repair bills in a year sound bad at the time, but not so bad when stacked up to the annual cost of a new car. New transmission an such - yeah, that’s when it’s time to dump the car 🙂
My goal is always to get at least 130,000 miles out of a car. My current commuter car is a 98 Contour with just 107K miles (it was my wife’s car and got relatively light use before we met). .
The “new” car is a 2006 Taurus with about 40K miles on it. We bought it as a program car - so it wasn’t “new”, but only had 9500 miles and a few months of previous use - and the price was considerably lower than a new one would have been. The first 10K miles of a car can be expensive!
Hey - thanks for adding me to your blog roll. Not sure if this was a recent addition, or if it’s been there and I’ve just spaced it off. You’ve been on my blog roll since shortly after my blog started. Good stuff - keep up the good work.
Kyle says
I dont’ think my wife and I could swing a single car household. We both work, in different cities, and in opposite directions.
She would have to be the one to drive as she works further away and then she could never stay late b/c I would need a car to pick up our children.
I think it is great that you are able to do this, and who knows maybe 12 months from now you will realize one car is really all you need.
Kyle says
I dont’ think my wife and I could swing a single car household. We both work, in different cities, and in opposite directions.
She would have to be the one to drive as she works further away and then she could never stay late b/c I would need a car to pick up our children.
I think it is great that you are able to do this, and who knows maybe 12 months from now you will realize one car is really all you need.
Debt Ninja says
Bold move. I totally respect ya’ll for trying to live simply and save some money while you are at it. Keep us posted on how it goes!
Debt Ninja says
Bold move. I totally respect ya’ll for trying to live simply and save some money while you are at it. Keep us posted on how it goes!
CJ says
Go green.
Last year we sold a three year old car for $16,000 and went to one car. I ride my bike to work as often as possible. If it was cold and snowy, I can car pool with a co-worker for $1 a ride. A year later the car would now sell for $12,000. We saved $500 on registration and over $1000 on insurance. You can save so much money by downsizing.
CJ says
Go green.
Last year we sold a three year old car for $16,000 and went to one car. I ride my bike to work as often as possible. If it was cold and snowy, I can car pool with a co-worker for $1 a ride. A year later the car would now sell for $12,000. We saved $500 on registration and over $1000 on insurance. You can save so much money by downsizing.
MyMeans says
That’s great to hear you guys are going to try it out. My girlfriend and I tried it out and it didn’t go so well. I think it’s mainly due to the fact that she is not a morning person and I like to be chatty so I got on her nerves. Anyways, it’s good for your wallet and the environment so that’s great.
MyMeans says
That’s great to hear you guys are going to try it out. My girlfriend and I tried it out and it didn’t go so well. I think it’s mainly due to the fact that she is not a morning person and I like to be chatty so I got on her nerves. Anyways, it’s good for your wallet and the environment so that’s great.
Leigh says
If you can pull it off I’m all for it. Even though my fiance and I only work about two miles apart, we can’t carpool because I never know when I’ll have to travel or make an unexpected work trip. Also, it’s not unusual for me to have to go to road construction sites (my main client is the state transporation department) so I have to have something 4 wheel drive.
I’ve had great luck with older used cars. In fact, I’ve never owned a new car. My father is a mechanic though so I had an inside edge of looking at used cars. I tend to buy a car with mid-level miles (50,000 or more ) and drive it until it croaks. As an adult I’ve had an Isuzu trooper that I inherited - went over 200,000 miles. A jeep grand cherokee (bought with 75,000 miles, drove to 200,000 miles - transmission went out, rebuilt it for 800 dollars and my nephew is still driving it at 230,000 miles). My current car is a 2004 Ford Escape that I bought used with about 80,000 miles on it. It’s been paid off for two years and is still going strong at 140,000 miles.
Leigh says
If you can pull it off I’m all for it. Even though my fiance and I only work about two miles apart, we can’t carpool because I never know when I’ll have to travel or make an unexpected work trip. Also, it’s not unusual for me to have to go to road construction sites (my main client is the state transporation department) so I have to have something 4 wheel drive.
I’ve had great luck with older used cars. In fact, I’ve never owned a new car. My father is a mechanic though so I had an inside edge of looking at used cars. I tend to buy a car with mid-level miles (50,000 or more ) and drive it until it croaks. As an adult I’ve had an Isuzu trooper that I inherited - went over 200,000 miles. A jeep grand cherokee (bought with 75,000 miles, drove to 200,000 miles - transmission went out, rebuilt it for 800 dollars and my nephew is still driving it at 230,000 miles). My current car is a 2004 Ford Escape that I bought used with about 80,000 miles on it. It’s been paid off for two years and is still going strong at 140,000 miles.
Steve,
I think if we didn’t need to both have use of the car every day it would be easier. My daughter’s kindergarten doesn’t provide mid-day busing, so I have to pick her up every day.
Love the idea of renting a car, I’m going to look into car sharing too, but I’m guessing that out in the ‘burbs there isn’t much available.
Jason, it might work if your wife and girls took 2-3 days a week to stay home. I don’t know their ages, but it is easier once they are in school.
Jason Fisher says
I work 15 miles away so I don’t know if we could actually do this. My wife also take our girls to a lot of activities. But if we sheduled it out maybe it would work.
Of course that would also mean I would have to bring my lunch to work, my last vice.
Jason Fisher says
I work 15 miles away so I don’t know if we could actually do this. My wife also take our girls to a lot of activities. But if we sheduled it out maybe it would work.
Of course that would also mean I would have to bring my lunch to work, my last vice.
Steve,
I think if we didn’t need to both have use of the car every day it would be easier. My daughter’s kindergarten doesn’t provide mid-day busing, so I have to pick her up every day.
Love the idea of renting a car, I’m going to look into car sharing too, but I’m guessing that out in the ‘burbs there isn’t much available.
Jason, it might work if your wife and girls took 2-3 days a week to stay home. I don’t know their ages, but it is easier once they are in school.
Steve Rhode says
We live on one car also and when a situation arises where we need a second car, we just rent one for the day. Really cheap and solves the problem.
Steve
Steve Rhode says
We live on one car also and when a situation arises where we need a second car, we just rent one for the day. Really cheap and solves the problem.
Steve