According to the RAC, the average cost of running a car in the UK is
£5,000 per year.
Even if you own a rusty old fiat and only use it once a week, it will
still cost you about £1,000 a year.
In other words, if you don't have a car you can spend that extra
transport budget on alternative lifestyle arrangements, and you'll have
a surprisingly high standard of living.
Here's how to do it.
* Do all bulk and heavy grocery shopping online, and have it delivered
once a week. Sign up with a vegetable box delivery scheme. Sign up with
a milkman. Buy specialist items of food in your local deli, which
ideally is within walking distance of your house.
* Don't waste your time in out-of-town superstores. Buy as much as you
can online. Use ebay and amazon etc. Only buy something offline if you
need to try it before buying.
* When going on vacations or weekend breaks, take the train or plane
and rent a car on arrival.
* Use public transport and bikes where you can. Where this isn't
possible, don't be shy to take taxis. Remember, you've got those extra
£5,000 to spend. That's an average of 250 taxi rides every year!
* Important: A life without a car requires more planning. Don't do
chores on impulse. Use a single journey to take care of several tasks.
Research train timetables, etc. *before* you get to the station. Buy
coach and rail tickets online. Once you get into the routine of
planning, you'll notice that it's just as convenient as living with a
car.
* Use your bike intermodally. This is usually by far the fastest way of
travelling, often much faster than by car. If your journey to work
involves three or more bus rides, think about replacing the first and
last leg of the journey with a bike. Buy a cheap second hand bike in
the classifieds, and keep it locked up on the train/bus station close
to your work. Or buy a folding bike and take it on the train/bus.
