Comments on: A Car, A Car… My Kingdom for a Car!

By: As Detroit Melts: Best Used Deals | Life on a Shoestring Budget

As Detroit Melts: Best Used Deals | Life on a Shoestring Budget — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:52:57 +0000

[...] the Greatest Deal On The Planet just when you happen to need it, as explained in my previous post A Car, A Car, My Kingdom for a Car!. In lieu of that sort of deal, Ryan has lined up some really good ones. There’s the legendary [...]

By: Ways to Live On Almost Nothing - 4 | Life on a Shoestring Budget

Ways to Live On Almost Nothing - 4 | Life on a Shoestring Budget — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:12:52 +0000

[...] Used vehicles cost thousands less than new ones. Used appliances cost less than new ones cost. Used furniture can be every bit as comfortable and stylish (or eclectic) as your decorating sensibilities can imagine. Reupholstering isn’t that hard either if you can work a sewing machine. And if you can work a sewing machine, your decorating options expand accordingly! [...]

By: Aileen

Aileen — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:19:13 +0000

LOL!!! Hi, Boom. The picture in my head that a scooter loaded with a couch, computer, kitchen goods and a suitcase had me in stitches! And while I admit putting Mother-in-Law on the back to hold 4 or 5 bags of groceries would have been very tempting some years ago, I’ll keep my little pick-’em-up truck thanks. We have to haul our own garbage to the dump, wood to heat the house, and composted manure by the ton for the garden, vineyard and orchard.

But for everyone out there who can use a “barley harley” for all their transportation needs, I salute you! Your footprint (and your costs) are smaller than anyone else’s.

By: Boom

Boom — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:24:01 +0000

I laughed when I read this very American idea from the article:

“…you might decide that having a nice bicycle or motor scooter will serve your needs. And it might, so long as it’s not raining or snowing and you don’t have to transport a month’s worth of groceries, any bulky items for sale or trade, or any of your children, your spouse, or your Mother-in-Law. They just don’t make any cool farings or sidecars for bicycles or mopeds.”

Obviously you have never been to China or any third world country, where millions of people rely on scooters for daily transportation.

The roads of China are packed with mopeds carrying the driver, spouse, children, and mother-in-law all at the same time. I have seen 6 or more people being transported by a single motor scooter.

And those bikes and scooters are used when it snows or rains to transport more than just a few bulky groceries. A friend had to move recently in China…he transported a large sofa and his computer and kitchenware and a suitcase on the back of his motor scooter…in one trip…without using any fancy “faring or sidecars” …just great balance.

By: Aileen

Aileen — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:58:11 +0000

You don’t need a car. We live on a mountain in serious terrain 25 miles to the nearest city. There is no bus service here, and ride-share only for those neighbors who happen to work near each other with non-conflicting schedules.

In the city I rode the bus to and from work. I don’t live in the city anymore, but I do drive a vehicle that runs on biodiesel. Which is available in that city, which runs all its city fleets on the stuff. But I do admit I wouldn’t mind having a nice scooter for when the weather’s good!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:48:38 +0000

Why not advocate a cheaper solution? In the right climate, a moped or vespa-type scooter will get you anywhere you want to go, in decent time. I have a moped, gets 100mpg and cost me less than $200. I don’t have to pay any insurance, but in the states where you do, it is minimal. Cycling is another option, which is both healthy and inexpensive. With the right gear, I ride all year long, in snowy New England. Ride share programs exist all over the country, and can be a good alternative to car ownership. Long trips can be arranged on the craigslist rideshare board.

We don’t need cars. The expense simply isn’t worth it.