public transportation

5 affordable alternatives to owning a car

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There's nothing like getting the keys to your first car. The sense of independence and freedom. You can go anywhere, anytime you want. But this freedom comes with a lot of financial responsibility. Car payments, parking spaces, repair costs, and — of course — gas. For many, these are just accepted costs. But a growing portion of the population is not licensed to drive. A smaller portion does not own a car at all. Turns out, you don't have to own a car to get around. Here are a few more affordable transportation options than a personal car:

1. Public transit

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In most major cities, some kind of public transportation exists. These can consist of subways, light rail trains or just buses. Public transit is a good option for reliable transportation to and from work. While some cities are notorious for late buses and trains, most areas experience little to no delays during rush hours. Most cities allow you to purchase weekly, monthly or even yearly passes. This makes budgeting much more efficient than tallying up varying mileage. It might take a little longer to get around with public transit, but you also have that time to relax or get even more things done.

2. Ride sharing

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Services like Uber and Lyft had spiked in popularity and usage in recent years. Many people use Uber while traveling or for special events, but ride sharing is now an effective replacement for day-to-day transportation. With the addition of ride scheduling, commuters can plan pick ups and get to work on time. UberPool and LyftLine lower the cost by carpooling riders heading in the same direction. This can be an even more effective alternative to public transportation as well as car ownership.

3. Car sharing

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Car sharing is the cousin to ride sharing. Instead of paying to get a ride, you pay to use a car for a set amount of time. The most popular service in this area is Zipcar. But there are other companies offering similar services. This can be similar to renting a car, but it is much much less expensive. You can pay Zipcar for just an hour or as long as a week. If you prefer to drive yourself, car sharing is a great alternative to owning your own vehicle.

4. Carpooling

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If you're not a fan of these new apps and services, you can go old school and coordinate a carpool. Do you and your co-workers need a ride in to work? Hop in the same car. Have a neighbor who heads into downtown every day like you do? Ask to join him. But if you don't want to search for a carpool yourself, there are apps that can help you find a ride, like Waze Carpool. Carpooling helps clear up traffic and reduces the amount of pollution being released.

5. Last mile vehicle

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If you live near your office or in a big city, owning a last mile vehicle might be more convenient than the other options. This can be an electric scooter, skateboard or just a regular bicycle. These are called last mile vehicles because they are typically used in conjunction with public transit to cover that last little portion of the trip. You can purchase your own bike or join your city's bike sharing program for more convenience. Owning and using an electric scooter or skateboard decreases your commute time and lowers the amount of energy you might have to exert. Nothing like fresh air on your way to work, right?

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4 Ways to Save On Your Daily Commute

We work, in part, to make money, but all the dough we spend getting to and from our jobs can make the trip feel like we're being robbed. Commuting can be stressful enough – the traffic alone could make someone want to put the brakes on their daily travel. But there are ways to save money on your commute that will have you feeling as happy as a dog with his head out the window catching a breeze.

Your commute doesn't have to leave you broke. Use your hard-earned money for more exiting purchases and let your ride be smooth sailing!

1. Carpool

Carpooling isn't just for moms and dads taking their kids to soccer practice and Boy Scout meetings. Adults can carpool too, saving money and mileage in the process. Find some co-workers seeking to save just like you who live nearby. They don't even have to work in your office. As long as their workplace is near yours, you can commute together. Not only will this save gas money, but you'll deepen relationships along the journey.

Another plus, HOV lanes! As perThe Simple Dollar, "On the days you do drive, you can use the HOV lane for more efficient driving. Even if you're just giving someone a lift each day, it's still worthwhile. If you have a HOV lane available to you, you can now access that lane and drive at a more reasonable pace with substantially less stop-and-go driving."

Not to mention, on those days you're not driving, you can sit back and relax as you're chauffeured to work. That's especially inviting on those mornings you're feeling like you didn't catch enough zzzzs or after a grueling day at the office.

If you can't seem to find anyone to carpool with, no worries. Consider ride sharing to set you up with others seeking a carpool. Via is great for flat rates rather than how long the ride is. Gett is another great option and you can even book up to two weeks in advance - so no excuses for not making use of the service. Duet is a cool one to try - it will set you up with commuters near you and you can even coordinate your rides together. Check out some more ride sharing options via Nerdwallet.

2. Use Public Transportation

If you reside in a community where public transportation is available to you, make use of the trains, busses, and subways regularly. This mode of transport is not only environmentally sound, but it's far cheaper than driving solo to and from work every day.

According to And Then We Saved, "There are costs associated with riding public transportation, but they can be offset by the money you save on gas." While your trip may not be any faster, you can get other things done on the way to and from your place of work. Catch up on reading, peruse the latest headlines, get prepped for a staff meeting, slug through emails, or listen to some tunes.

Using public transport for just a few days per week can add up to significant savings. Some places of business will even reimburse you fully or pay for a portion of your commute. Inquire with your HR department about the Transportation Reimbursement Plan. The Transportation Reimbursement Plan is an employer-sponsored plan which permits you to set money aside on a tax-free basis to reimburse yourself for qualified transportation expenses. Qualified transportation expenses are work-related parking and commuting expenses. As per the details of this plan, "In 2016, the maximum allowable parking benefit is $255 per month and the maximum allowable mass transit/commuter vehicle benefit is $255 per month. The two benefits can be used simultaneously for a total of $510 per month." That's a decent savings over a years' time!

3. Ride a Bike

Get in some heart-healthy exercise, breathe in the fresh air, and save money by biking to work if your job is located within a reasonable biking distance. U.S News & World Report notes, "A number of bikers say peddling past cars stuck in rush hour traffic makes their commute that much more pleasant." As those drivers are frustratingly sitting in all that congestion, you can zip by with a sense of freedom.

Many large cities have bike sharing programs, such as Citi Bike, the nation's largest bike share program. Rates are reasonable - the annual membership is just $14.95/mo with annual commitment (or $155/year if you pay in full). It includes unlimited 45-minute rides. Rides longer than 45 minutes incur extra fees: $2.50 for the first additional 30 minutes, $6.50 for the next additional 30 minutes, then $9 for each additional 30 minutes after that.

If you're located in a smaller town, you can purchase a reasonably priced bike at your local cycling or sports store that will last you for years of precious pedaling. Just be sure to be safe, follow the rules of the road, wear a helmet, and dress appropriately for bike riding.

4. Adjust Your Hours

If it's possible, talk to your boss or supervisor about adjusting your hours so you're not traveling at the height of rush hour. Even a couple of hours' difference (or less) can be a huge time- and money-saver. You will get to work much faster, saving gas in the process. U.S. News & World Report suggests that a different start time could potentially, "cut the time you spend commuting by half."

Another idea is to reduce the number of days per week you go into the office and add a few hours to those days you do work. Not only does this give you a 3-day weekend, but you'll save on travel expenses.

Your commute should be exciting, not expensive. Steer clear of extra costs you don't need to spend as you take the road less traveled!

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Is Your Commute Killing You?

According to the U.S. Census, average commute time has been on the rise, from nearly 22 minutes in 1980 to 26 minutes by 2016. But that's nothing to some of us who spend 1, 2, or even 3 or more hours getting from home to office everyday. Commuting is a major time suck, prompting stress, burdensome logistics, and, some studies show, could contribute to rising blood pressure, a poor sleep schedule, risk for depression, and not to mention, aches and pains.

But most people commute because they have to. They either can't afford housing in the vicinity of their office, or are bound by family. How do we know when a commute is too long? Is it better to move closer to work, or to get a new job entirely? We say, neither. If you like your job, there are ways to combat the commute and use it for good.

1. Consider mass transportation over driving.

We know—if you have a car, you're probably going to want to use it. While it's nice to have that space to yourself, driving can cause a series of adverse effects for you and other drivers. First, while driving, people often get distracted. For those of us with long commutes on boring highways, our minds tend to wander, or worse, completely shut down. Driving while drowsy is just as bad as, if not worse than, driving while drunk. Driving requires all of your attention, and taking mass transportation will allow you to get a few extra minutes of sleep, listen to an audiobook, or do that crossword puzzle. It's also less expensive and better for the environment, even if you do have to deal with people sitting next to you.

2. If you're ambitious, ride your bike!

Obviously, if you have highways and bridges to traverse, riding your bike might not be a great idea. Also, heavy sweaters, consider if you have access to a shower. But if your path is fairly straightforward and quick, riding your bike can be a great way to get out extra aggression, increase endorphins, and feel energized before your day in the office even begins. Plus, you can feel free to skip the gym. Business Insider agrees.

3. Make your commute time you-time.

With a little creativity, you can find so many ways to make your commute more fun and exciting. Make it a time for you (within reason—we don't mean bring a massage therapist on the train next to you). Most importantly, it is not a time you need to be working. Save that for the office, if at all possible. Your commute time should be spent reading a book, watching a show, or doing anything that can take you out of the everyday humdrum of life. Listen to podcasts or write a short story or haiku! The train is your creative oyster.

You commute doesn't have to be the bane of your daily existence. For more tips on how to make your commute a lot more soothing, check this out!

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