How to Survive Without a Car

Let's face it, cars are a tremendous convenience, but they are also a bottomless money pit. There are some parts of the country where it would be impossible to survive without a car. But in others, it is entirely possible to survive without a car and save a load of money in the process. Read on to learn how to survive without a car.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Relocate to a city that offers public transportation. Subways, buses and taxis cost money, but the odds are that it will run you a lot less than the parking tickets, gas, insurance, loan payments and maintenance a car would run you.
2. Walk. Really. It's not something we Americans tend to embrace, but walking is a great alternative to driving. It's better for the environment, and it's better for your health. In fact, aside from surviving without a car, you may just extend your life expectancy.
3. Ride a bike. Bike's are low-cost to buy, inexpensive to maintain and again, good for your health. And more and more businesses are adding bike racks so you can safely lock your bike while you work or run errands.
4. Join a carpool. If you live in an area that doesn't offer public transportation and where services are too far flung, join a carpool. Sure, it's a car. But it isn't your car. If you're not taking turns driving, you'll need to contribute money to cover gas, but that's still more frugal than maintaining your own vehicle.
5. Share a car. Again, if you need the convenience of a car sometimes but you don't want to maintain a car all the time, you can share a car by joining a car-sharing service. Springing up in cities all over the country, car-sharing services allow members to reserve, drive and return a car on a schedule that meets your needs.