A Mashup
Now that I’ve moved to bi-weekly posts, my regularly scheduled programming (general updates about my saving journey) have taken a bit of a hit. With that in mind, I owe you, dear reader, a little update of the last few weeks of frugal living.
So pull up your socks and underwear, because here we go!
What zee heck happened in March?
To answer this question we need to travel back to the desperate seasonal times of late winter. What a month March is, hey? March gives us glimpses of spring and then slaps us in the face with winter-like fronts. What a glorious time to be alive in South-Western Ontario, I say!
Regardless of your emotional connection to the weather, March was a lovely month from a savings perspective. I met my savings goal with flying colours! This was due in large part to my RRSP contribution kickback from the government. I like to think of these fun saving incentives like mafia payouts for doing a good job of saving and paying taxes every year. As if the mob boss is happy with my general behaviour. I’ve done what I was told, made my traditional contributions to the “family” and now I’m being rewarded, handsomely.
You’re welcome / thank you, Don CRA.
Cough…what was I saying? Oh yes, March was a good savings month. March was also the beginning of the end of my car.
Death of Socially Accepted Forms of Transportation
For the last few months (essentially since the beginning of this blog) I have been teasing that my car is about to die. Part of that teasing has been in jest, because, well, it’s me. But part of that teasing has been based in reality, the cold hard truth that my car has been struggling and would take thousands of dollars to revive.
With rose coloured glasses, I have been hoping against hope that my car would last until sometime this fall. Those glasses fell off my face the last week of March when my car simply decided to stop switching gears. What fun! Let me tell you. I was driving around town for a week in first gear, you can imagine the kind and empathetic expressions I received from my fellow drivers.
This “good times, first gear” living came crashing down the first week of April when, driving back from a breakfast out with my dad, my service engine light came on. Knowing I would not be investing a cent more into my car, I called up a local auto-parts shop, Logel’s, and sold my steed for parts. Here ends the life of my 2011 Nissan Versa, she was a beaut! I’ll miss you, Bella (her christened name)!
Selling my car was an odd experience. For years, I’ve relied on a car for pretty much everything. I told myself that to own a car is the “responsible adult” thing to do. And there I was, willingly handing over the keys of my social independence to an auto-parts shop.
Part relief and part fear hit me. I would no longer have to constantly guess if my car would start on frosty mornings, which was a wonderfully anxious part of my day. However, a very real independence facilitating tool was sold off, what would I do next?
To Car Or Not To Car? That Is The Question
Knowing Bella’s inevitable death was around the corner (as mentioned in a few posts), I started thinking about the reality staring me in the face. A potential car-less reality. Initially, I didn’t think it was possible. I thought I simply must get a new car to replace my dying Nissan. To go without would be insane, right? Right?? But the more I researched buying a car the more uncomfortable I became with taking on (in terms of time, energy, and sanity) and making (in terms of dollars) that kind of investment.
As referenced in my last post, cars are expensive. Like stupid expensive. The upfront costs of a new car are mind boggling. Even if I went for the most basic, compact, fuel efficient ride out there, I’m easily looking at spending $23,000 (minimum) for a new car at a good manufacturer (sorry inexpensive Mitsubishi). And then there is the used car market, which - in my opinion - even more kooky. Just take a look, literally anywhere, at used cars. It’s enough to make you want to throw-up.
As an aside… After doing some purchasing research, when I see certain cars on the road now I think “how can you afford that car?!”
Taking my savings goals into account, I simply couldn’t justify buying a car at these prices. So I came up with a plan. I decided I’d seek out alternative modes of transportation during warmer months, save as much money as possible, and then look to purchase a car in the fall. Why not give it a whirl and see what happens? What do I have to lose other than a shocking amount of money on a hunk of metal?
Diving into researching alternative forms of transportation, I was heartened by the potential of using my legs, getting a bus pass, or renting a car on occasion. But, it was hard to wrap my head around at first.
Having a better understanding of what not owning a car may entail. I reached out to friends and family members to get their hot takes. Most were super supportive, and many offered to help out with rides here and there if needed. The kindness of my network and community kicked in, and I am so incredibly grateful to everyone for their generosity.
Two Wheels, Too Cool
A key mental component of not buying a car (for now) was to have another, less expensive mode of independent transportation. For some this may come in the form of a unicycle, a pogo stick or a spaceship, for me, this came in the form of a bike. And not just any bike, a sweet sweet commuter bike.
I must say, faced with similarly daunting research and choices related to purchasing a bike as I faced in purchasing a car, I was somewhat overwhelmed. Do I buy new or used? What make and model? What are all the accessories I need? It was a lot. Luckily, I have amazing, knowledgeable friends who took me out to look at a few bikes. And then my older brother stepped in to help out.
Now, my bro is a cool dude. He’s been a biked advocate for most of his adult life. He even biked across Canada once with a friend, eating wild blueberries to power them along the way. Having landed in Toronto, and after much bike advocacy work there, he has developed quite a network of delightful friends to help his younger less-cool sister purchase a new bike.
As luck would have it, with his connections (thanks, Shuaib!), my bike was delivered the very week that my car belly-flopped into its grave.
She’s a real beaut, I still need to name her but I’m thrilled to have her.
The Weeeeeee-Factor
Since coming into my possession, I’ve taken my bike on a good many rides. Though perhaps a little scary at first (riding next to cars is not the most fun), it’s such a joy to ride a bike. Every time I’m on my bike I get a giant smile on my face, and inevitably at some point during my ride I involuntarily call out “weeeeeee!” and then start laughing to myself. I feel so free and so much like a kid, I can’t describe how fun it is.
I highly recommend riding a bike, it’s the best!
We shall see what the rest of the summer is like. Who knows, maybe I’ll live without a car for a while longer and see how it goes. At this point, why not embrace the joy of riding a bike, the support from family and friends (if offered), and the savings that comes along with it?
Like everything in life, things will change in the future, so I might as well see where this adventure takes me for the time being.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
We’ve got this!
Over the past many weeks of creating content and templates, I realize that to help sustain this passion project I would be grateful for your support!
For those with a dollar to spare, I’ve set up a Buy Me A Coffee account for folks to contribute to here and there. For those frugally focused, I would be incredibly grateful if you were to share my work with your networks and folks you think would enjoy my journey (via email, social media, or homing pigeon).
A special thank you to those who contributed to my Buy Me A Coffee or shared a post! Your support means the world to me - truly.
Whether you're able to contribute or not, I’m so glad you’ve joined me on this journey!