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Carfree and Loving It

© Debbie DeSpirt

Less than 2 months ago, I was dependent on a ten year old car that was getting sicker by the moment. One day, I decided the car had to say goodbye but I was not that eager to say hello to a new car and a new monthly payment to add to my bill list. Since I was the one losing the priveledges of a car, it was my ultimate decision, my husband supported my quirky ways.

I chose to say goodbye to the car because we still had one car and our new neighbourhood had a wide selection of stores opening every week. A short 20 minute walk brings me to a outside mall equipped with a grocery store, drugstore, kids educational store, discount store, dentist and walk-in doctor's office. If I continue to walk another 10 minutes, I am at the door of another grocery store and a half a dozen of new establishments opening in the fall. Less than a five minute walk from my home is a dentist office, convenience store, hair salon and a doctor's office.

My first investment after I chose to be a one car family was to invest in a good quality two seater stroller with excellent cargo space for my shopping needs. I have a seven month and a 4 year old. My four year old walks part of the way but it is too much to require him to walk the entire distance. My solution is I am the motor to the car and they are the passengers in a vehicle that is powered by mom. In the beginning the set up was a little tiresome at times but after 2 months I have established a routine. I was good at reducing shopping trips with the aid of a list with the car but I am excellent now because I will lose the time and energy if I have to go to the store twice in one day.

Going to one car would not have been beneficial if we were lugging around two children and doing the errands all weekend to make up for the week. I chose to do the majority of the errands and if their were some item I required that were not within walking distance I would request my husband to bring them home after work. Organization is key for this to be successful.

A few pitfalls have come my way and we have solved the majority. My son is going to school this year and he is being bussed except for his first two days. His school is a good 30 minute walk from the home. His first day, he is at school for 1 hour and the next day for 2 hours. I decided to dust off an old bike trailer and attach it to my bicycle and see the success with my children. It was quite a success, for his two days of school I will be cycling him to the front door and returning home with one child and going back to retrieve him. The back up plan is to rent a car if the weather is looking unfavourably for the weekend.

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