I’ve been driving since I was sixteen and have had my own car since I was 17. Back when I was still in university, I stopped driving my car for about 2 full years. Parking at school was costing me more than a bus pass, never mind gas and insurance. Parking was $2 per hour and being a university student, I couldn’t afford to get a ticket so I constantly felt rushed. On the way to school I was worried about finding a parking spot, and about five minutes before the end of class, I felt that I needed to go, to get to my car and get going.
It was during my second year at the U of M that I decided to park my ’89 Chevy Cavalier and bus it. The apartment where I used to live was on a major bus route, and I was able to get to either school or work on just one bus. Not only did I save the operating costs of my car, but I was able to read or study on the way to and from the university. I could eat a muffin on the way if I was running late. Monthly bus passes are also tax deductible. I had more money and more time. I also had less stress.
My life was quite a bit more regimented because the bus doesn’t wait for anyone. I couldn’t make up lost time by driving faster, so I was forced to be ready at the same time every day, and habits develop out of routine. Though I had to leave earlier, I was able to use a lot of that time more effectively and enjoy it more.
After university, I started working early mornings; so early in fact that there were no busses running. That was when I decided to take my car out of hibernation. I reasoned that I would be able to sleep for another half hour every morning, which at 5 am is a huge incentive. I no longer needed to pay for parking at the university, and I no longer qualified for the student bus pass. Driving would mean not having to wait in the cold or the rain. There were also other considerations; dating and grocery shopping are a lot easier with a car. I’ve been driving ever since, but I’m not in love with it. To be honest, I don’t much like driving.
In the car, I often find myself getting frustrated with other drivers. In Winnipeg, we have photo radar everywhere and it makes me anxious. I sometimes feel like I’m going too slowly for other drivers because I often feel that other drivers are going too slowly for me. But why? It’s not like I could do anything in the 45 seconds that I might save by doing 10 Km over the speed limit. You can’t even cook a Pop Tart in 45 seconds. You can get in a hell of an accident by speeding though.
In 2008, after a considerable raise and the passing of my Cavalier to the automotive afterlife, I decided it was time to upgrade. I got myself a brand new Toyota. There was a $1000 government sponsored eco rebate at the time, and the gas mileage was phenomenal. I was also interested in doing some traveling, and my 20 year old beater didn’t inspire enough confidence for me to risk taking it on the highway. A new car with great gas mileage opened the world to me. I love my Toyota.
Three years later, I love my car as much as ever, but I’m looking forward to the end of my lease. I live much closer to work now, and I’m on an even more prominent bus route. Everything I need is within walking distance, or a quick bus ride. I could bike to work, and it seems like a better idea every day with gas at $1.25/L and rising.
I plan on buying out my lease when it’s is up, but I stand to save quite a bit of money by changing my insurance from driving to storage. I can change it back if I want to go on a road trip, or out to the beach, but the truth is, like most people in the city, I just don’t need a car most of the time. It’s a tool, a luxury, and I want to stop using it as a crutch.
With my lease payments over, my insurance payments cut and no gas expenses, I’ll save about $400 per month. If I bike and walk more often, I’ll be more fit, more calm and enjoy more fresh air. My lease end is still two and a half years away, but I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit lately as I’ve been reading a lot of material on down-shifting and taking life slowly to enjoy it more.
Because what’s the rush? Slow is beautiful.
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