[Unreal]

I need support from you wise mamas.<br><br>
We have 2 cars.<br>
DH and I have ALWAYS had our own cars (brought them into the relationship, kwim?)<br><br>
But with the rising cost of gas<br><br>
and the $600 a year for insurance (yes, I know--that is cheap compared to what some pay, but it is a lot for us!)<br><br>
and how many times we actually NEED two cars<br><br>
We want to sell my car.<br><br>
I think I'm okay with this, but I guess I just feel like I'm going to be stuck asking if it is okay if I BORROW dh's car, instead of using the FAMILY car--if that makes sense.<br>
And I worry that I'm going to end up sitting at home, going bonkers even more than I am now.<br><br>
So-<br><br>
I need some single-car family success stories (never mind that I was raised in a single-car home. That didn't count, because my mom doesn't drive!)<br><br>
Is there anything else we should ponder before we do this? It isn't like we can take the decision back if we don't like it--which is scary.<br><br>
I have to mention there is NO public transpo here.<br>
and I have major pack-rat issues, especially with things that have a definite potential for future value <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/sick.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="sick">

 

[oceanbaby]

Are you at home with children during the day? Does your dh go to work? How far is his work? Would he need to take the car with him and have it all day, or could you drop him off and pick him up?<br><br>
These are the kinds of things I would factor in. You said you have no public transportation, which for me would be a problem. I live in a city where we can walk or bus to almost anything. Dh and I used to be a one car family, until we had kids. Worked out great. But then he took a job 20 minutes away (over a bridge into another County, so public transit would have taken almost 2 hours), and I was at home with ds. I felt too vulnerable being totally without a car as long as I had a child at home with me, and there was really no practical way for me to drive him to work and pick him up (bridge fare is $5 each way, not to mention the gas and travel time).<br><br>
So for us the best choice was to have two cars, but I don't drive mine probably 3 days out of the week at least.<br><br>
But again, before we had kids, and when we both worked in the city, one car was more than enough.<br><br>
Oh, and I don't know if I was just reading too much into this or not, but it sounds like you may be worried about control issues with your dh and the car? I can't speak for that, because it wasn't an issue with us, but I would never consent to 'asking' to borrow the car. He ain't your daddy! If you do decide to go to one car, I'd make sure that it was mutually understood that this car belongs to both of you equally.

 

[nikirj]

We're a single-car family. We had two for a while but couldn't afford it. Anyway...<br><br>
It helps that we think of the car as "our" car. The last one was under DH's name, this one is under mine, but that doesn't mean anything - it is still the only car we have and it isn't either one of ours, it's for the whole family. We work out how to get where, and DH gets rides from work when he can (when it is convenient) so I don't have to drop him off and pick him up all the time. I also stay home a lot but that doesn't mean I do nothing - we walk places.<br><br>
It also makes us get out more - I have to get out early if I want the car because DH has to get to work, so off we go and then I'll take the kids to do something, instead of hanging out in the house until waaay later when I actually "feel" like leaving. When I was in school, DH would drop me off at school and then take the kids to the zoo (nearby) or park or mall or whatever - if he hadn't had to go out, they would definately have just sat around the house doing nothing for at least MOST of that time.<br><br>
Anyway, right now it just seems impractical for us to have two cars. Sometimes it would be slightly more convenient, but it is totally something you get used to and learn to appreciate. Besides, DH and I spend a lot of quiet talking-time in the car - at home we are all busy with household tasks and chasing kids, but in the car they are quiet and we can talk.

 

[jadegirl553]

We are a one car family. Well, at the moment, we have two, but we're selling the old one because we just got a new one! (yay for four doors! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> )<br><br>
My town also has NO public transportation, and it id not pedestrian friendly. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> It really isn't too bad not haviing a car. I bum rides frolm friends when I need too (with DS), and I make sure that DH knows when I have an errand to run or when I need to get out of the house. Also, I take walks, which helps with the stir-craziness. And if I really need to get out, there is a Walgreens down the road a ways!<br><br>
HTH!<br><br>
ETA: my DH always has the car because he commutes

 

[oakparkveggie]

We only have one car and although most days it is OK, there are times when it has been very difficult. My DH's schedule is not very flexible, and he has to drive over an hour away most days so he NEEDS the car. Our neighborhood does have a grocery store and post office within walking distance, but in the Chicago winters- it can be brutal with ice covered sidewalks and wind chill.<br><br>
If DS gets sick or I need to see the Dr, it is very rough. We can't take public transp. there, and DH can't really call off unless it is an emergency. So we wind up doing all our errand running and appointments on the weekends and are stuck home all week long. In the nicer weather we do go for walks, but can't get to the zoo or to meet friends often. Can you tell I wish we had another car?<br><br>
Anyway, I guess it would be much easier if your DH's schedule was more flexible than mine, and your climate was more forgiving. I suggest not using your car at all for a month and pretending like it's not there. You will get an idea of what life is really like in your house with one car, and then make a decision.

 

[Unreal]

Well, a plus is that we are committed to homeschooling, which means one of us is always with the kids.<br>
In the past, that has sometimes meant meeting on campus to trade off kids, but I'm not in school right now, so in theory it wouldn't come up.<br><br>
I am looking for a job right now, but it would, again, only be during hours when dh was home.<br><br>
The only things within walking distance here are the town park <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> ,town and village halls, the neighborhood bar, the pharmacy, a dr. office, a gas station, and a small-town food store that sells rancid food. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br>
The closest town is 11 miles away by highway *bleh*<br><br>
The issue with the car is so totally in my head. DH would never expect me to ASK to BORROW the car. He would expect me to tell him I needed it (duh!) but that is it. It is all just my perception of it being his car and not wanting to put him out (plus I HATE his car LOL)<br><br>
If there were an emergency, I could borrow my parent's car (a old Pathfinder in need of a tune-up *sigh*)<br><br>
Must get ds to bed....forgot he was up reading in his room <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/blush.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="blush">

 

[fourgrtkidos]

We have one car.... a van. Too many kids for a car. It works out. I take dh to work or he keeps it and brings it to me at lunch if i need to go somewhere. We cut alot of expense with giving up second car. The schedual coordination is worth me getting to stay home.

 

[Skim]

We are a one-car family, and it's a success! I am a SAHM, so i get the car all day. On crappy days I take dp to work and pick him up. It's our first car, so it was in my name but it's really considered our car. I can't imaging trying to maintain and keep track of two cars!<br><br>
There's absolutely no public trans. here, either, in our cold, snowy Wisconsin town of 15,000. During non-snowy months we walk to the park, to the co-op, to the library. DP can walk to work. Camping used to get kind of tight with our big dog, but we had to euthanize her (very sad, hip dysplasia), so that's not an issue anymore.<br><br>
We also only have one child, still in a car seat. Unfortunately our car only has a tether for one car seat, so we'll ahve to get another one if #2 is on its way...<br><br>
It's totally do-able. Just think about all the resources you'll save!<br><br>
We couldn't do it if we lived out of town, though.<br><br>
Good luck!!

 

[Rainbow]

I didn't read all the replies to I'm sorry if I repeat.<br><br>
We were a one car family for over 2 years. We bought a 2nd car- and we've had it for about 5 or 6 months and we are selling again because we realized we're pretty content with our one car arrangement.<br><br>
Once we move we'll be right near DH's work. He's going to take it in the morning to work out and he will come home at lunch for dinner (we prefer to eat the big meal in teh middle of the day) and if I need the car I'll take him back to work. If I don't then he can just go. If I need it in the morning I just take him to work.<br><br>
I thought you might like to hear that after having a 2nd vehicle I'm going back- so obviously there is something I like about it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[napless]

I absolutely love being a one car family.<br><br>
(I should say, though, that we live in a smallish town and can walk downtown. There is also a fairly good bus system.)<br><br>
As long as we plan ahead and share our plans/needs with one another, it's never a problem.<br><br>
I know that if we had two cars, I would often use a car when I could just as well walk. That's my main reason for loving this arrangement: it forces me to get out in the fresh air! Ds (age 4) can and will walk a mile or more and think nothing of it. I'm so glad he takes walking for granted.

 

[thistle]

We have always been a one car family and it had been working out ok. DH would take the bus to work if I needed or wanted the car. Now we have moved and there is no bus service. I didn't hink it would be that big of a deal since DH has a co-worker who lives 5 blocks away. However, that ened up not working b/c she is always 20-30 mins late!!<br><br>
SOOO, now I drive DH in (11 mi) if i need the car. He can usually get a ride home with the laterunning co-worker. It kind of sucks, especially with gas prices, but a second car is nowhere in the budget. I do feel isolated a lot. There aren't many English speaking SAHMs in my neighborhood

 

[Unreal]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>napless</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Ds (age 4) can and will walk a mile or more and think nothing of it. I'm so glad he takes walking for granted.</div>
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Wow! That is so awesome!<br><br>
ds1 moans and groans over walking 1/2 a mile <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
I really wish the local food store weren't so cootified--I wouldn't mind walking there each day with the kids. Do the whole FRESH produce thing...<br>
Even the non-perishables cost SO much more there <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br>
It actually makes me really <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/angry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="angry"> to see them taking advantage of local people like that, the ones who can't drive the 25 minutes to the real food store <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/angry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="angry"><br><br>
You have all been a great help! Keep the testimonials coming! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I know it is going to be a change, but dh and I are really trying to simplify our lives. We keep looking around and seeing how much waste we have in our lives. So much clutter.<br><br>
The car is one BIG piece of clutter that we can sell for $$ <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br>
How is *that* for motivation!

 

[lilyka]

we made it 10 years and three kids with one car but finally broke down last month and bought new car for dh that gets great gas milage. her generally used to bike ot work but since we bought the business he is responsoble to shipping many things (it is a bike shop, nothing is small) and has been working 18 hour days. every minute counts. also we are in a weird place, the girls and i where we can't bike very far because there is no way to attatch madeline to my bike, she is too bubble headed to ride by herself and pay attention to where she is going and keeps running into things and people (I say that with all the love of a mother and take full responsibility for those genes) so alas, we had to to get the car. it gets really good gas milage which is good because our good car was totalled and we got totally screwed on the one we bought to replace it but can't afford to replace that one anyhoo, we do our best not to drive the second (or the first) car but we just have to.<br><br>
i also wanted to add that occasionally I was driving back and forth to dhs work to bring him stuff that he couldn't carry on his bik or bring him the car etc. . . and we were burning so much gas that way that it was actually a better more environmentally friendly choice to have two cars. one car isn't always the best option. be sure to crunch all the numbers before assuming it is.<br><br>
If we didn'town the business we could still be a one car family. Also another option would be a scooter (small motersycle like a vespa, not like a skateboard on a stick, although if that works for ya. . . .) or motercycle. lots of people do that during the summer here. I think you can do it though! It might be worth it to trade in both cars and get a new one just so you don't have the "his car" issue. because that would suck.

 

[loftmama]

well, we're a one-car family and we love it!<br><br>
i was really worried about it at first, but it's been great. we spent a month in a foreign country where everyone walked. everyday. everywhere. to get food, buy stamps, whatever. we loved it. my 3yo loved it so much. once we came back, he would whine about having to get in the car, get buckled, etc. he kept wanting to walk to the library, grocery store, etc.<br><br>
well, then we moved to another country, with no car and still absolutely loved it.<br><br>
fast forward to now: back in the states with one car. wouldn't have it any other way. it's actually fun running your errands together - on weekends, or whenever.<br><br>
oops baby crying, gotta go.

 

[ChiknGirl]

We recently (within the last year) went from a 2 car family to a 1 car family. Both DH and I are much happier now. Not only are we saving money but we both enjoy that we have removed 1 car from the road.<br><br>
We got rid of his car. He now takes the bus to work. We agreed that since I stay home with DD I should have the car in case of an emergency. And because she and I need to get out to playgroup and get groceries, etc.<br><br>
DH has a class every Saturday morning and is gone from 8AM to 1PM. This is the only time I don't have the car. There are occasions when I am unable to attend get togethers because he has the car but for the most part I can schedule things around nto having the car 1 day a week.<br><br>
DH loves that he can take 2 naps on the bus <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><br><br>
Good luck. I hope you find a solution that works for your family.

 

[abigailvr]

We have one car. There is a light rail that DH could take to work, but it only takes me 10 minutes to get to his office and the light rail takes him about 45 minutes when all is said and done, so I usually drop him off and pick him up. I'm pushing for him to start biking.

 

[indie]

We've always only had one car. Actually we just had bikes when we first got married. It does help if you have public transportation. We used to but we moved to a cheaper place to save money so I'm a little more stuck. I can go on walks but not too far because of the traffic and can't walk to really interesting places like the library. My dh does the errand running (post office, grocery shopping, etc.). If I need to do something I drive him to work. We live close enough to walk to a doctor or hospital if we really needed one.

 

[mom at home]

We've always just had one car except for awhile quite a few years ago when my parents were travelling and needed us to keep their car. Generally, it's not a problem. My dh works at the university 5 blocks away so he walks. Even when we lived a mile or so, he walked or rode his bike, though. I use the car to take kids to activities after school. My older dd's school is one block away and my younger about a half mile. We try to walk, but now that I teach there, I am usually rushed in the AM and end up driving, which I hate. Most of our friends live in walking distance and we also ride our bikes a fair bit.<br><br>
The only time it's a problem is when one of us is going out of town. I'm leaving tomorrow for 5 days and it will be a bit of a challenge for my dh, but he insisted I should just drive and not fly. It would be okay except kids have dance rehersals and soccer on the weekend, but we have friends with kids in the same activities, so I'm sure he'll get help from them.<br><br>
Where we live I am thankful that we can walk or bike almost anywhere and can get by with one car. We have basically no public transport, but it generally works out.

 

[mountain mom]

We are a one car family....we were a nocar family for a while too. We live in a very central neighbourhood in a City with a good transit system but a better pathway system. I ride with a bike trailor mostly and my dh uses the car when he is furthur than walking distance to work. (His work site changes frequently).<br><br>
We shop, I work, and we all play in this neighbourhood. It takes me 10 minutes to walk to my parttime job and my business is homebased. My childcare occurs in my home via child care swapping with a coworker.<br><br>
Our battery on our car actually went dead this winter because we didn't use the car enough! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br>
Our car is quite efficient too...if it wasn't we wouldn't drive it. Staunch Environmentalists...much to the chargrin of my SUV lovin family!<br><br>
To sum up...we created this life so we could be a one car/no car family.

 

[cappuccinosmom]

We are a single car household.<br><br>
The way it works for us, I take dh to work every afternoon, and either pick him up, or bring him food (he often takes a second shift). We just work our family schedule around his, so it's not a hardship.<br><br>
I would actually *prefer* that he take the car himself more days. Good incentive to walk. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I really would only need it for grocery shopping and the occasional errand. We are really homebodies and so I wouldn't feel at all handicapped by not having a car.