Is this elimination?

[read]

Recently, I've decided to dump my car and bike to work. What's the elimination in the mix? I can cancel my gym membership, since I now get my daily exercise in the 6 mile bike ride, rather than having to schedule time for the gym. Since traffic is usually pretty hefty on my route, I actually get to work in about the same amount of time as when I drive -- and I save a good 90-100 minutes per day by not having to go to the gym separately.

I'm wondering if others have surprising ways that you've eliminated?

[webgal]

That's cool. In the rain, too?

I don't want to cancel gym membership, though. I have a home office and it's my getaway. And I'm away from technology. I don't even take an iPod. Zero. Zip. Nada technology. It also relieves stress. But then I only go 2-3 times a week. I run the other days which is 30 minutes for a 3.7 mile run. Pretty slow but then I'm letting things marinate in my brain and not trying to break a speed record.

But interesting slant and another way to think about elimination.

[froldt]

Recently, I've decided to dump my car and bike to work. What's the elimination in the mix? I can cancel my gym membership, since I now get my daily exercise in the 6 mile bike ride, rather than having to schedule time for the gym. Since traffic is usually pretty hefty on my route, I actually get to work in about the same amount of time as when I drive -- and I save a good 90-100 minutes per day by not having to go to the gym separately.

I'm wondering if others have surprising ways that you've eliminated?

To add to your elimination: you will save money on gas, car repairs and maintenance (oil, tires, etc) and the time that it would take to do these things (buy gas, get maintenance/repairs done).

My soon-to-be-wife and I have one vehicle between us and will be riding bicycles/taking the bus to school in the fall. We are in a similar situation to you, in that it is 3 miles each way to school, and with the heavy traffic/lots of lights, I suspect we'll reach school in nearly the same time as if we drove. Any time lost will be more than made up for when we don't have to drive around searching for a parking space, or paying the exorbitant fees for a parking pass.

As far as other elimination, we're in the process of moving in to our new place (I can't wait till we can live here together! not much longer now...) and we have both gotten rid of clothes that we don't wear, books we won't read again, movies we won't watch, and knick-knacks that we don't need.
To further improve this, we are going to set a date two months after the wedding where we'll spend a weekend further eliminating things that we haven't used/worn in this time-frame.

[JFrenzel]

Worst case scenario buy another car......... yeah testing is key, which i think getting out of your comfort zone is almost synonymous.


Keep us posted


Jose

[badhank]

I don't want to cancel gym membership, though. I have a home office and it's my getaway. And I'm away from technology. I don't even take an iPod. Zero. Zip. Nada technology.
really? i use rage against the machine as fuel for a HIIT workout, both weights and cardio.

[kamakiri]

I dumped my car last year, and have never looked back. Sure it is a pain in the rear some times, but parking alone here in Japan cost $100 a month, Insurance is another $100, and just for all you guys complaining about $4 gas, it is nearly $8 a gallon here. I live 2 miles from my old pizza shop, and the walk down the mountain took 15 minutes, while the walk up took 25 (it is all up hill). Now I just rent a car whenever I need one. It only costs $50 for 24 hours, so even if I rent one 4 times a month, I am getting a maintenance free car for the same price it would have cost me to pay for parking and insurance, not to mention no car payments, car washes, oil changes...

If you can dump your car, I highly recommend it.

[read]

To answer the rain question, I live in Southern California, so rain is hardly an issue. I'm not a die-hard, though, and when it does rain, I am prepared to bail on the biking and take public transit or, if I really need to, call a cab.

I was inspired by a few environmentalists in the neighborhood -- and a great book by Chris Balish, called How to Live Well Without Owning a Car. He gives super practical tips on things like how to get your pets to the vet, how to avoid going all over the world running errands, and (yes) even how to date without a car. Good stuff.

Also, you're right that I'm saving money. I haven't taken the plunge and sold the car yet, but when I do, I'll be saving not only on gas but on insurance, smog tests, smog repairs (old car), and all sorts of car-related expenses.

[MariaG]

I'm wondering if others have surprising ways that you've eliminated?

Great thread, read. I'm interested to see what others have done in this area.

I've really worked on streamlining my home to make it as efficient as possible, without turning it into a factory! For example, I put a shredder right by the door so that I can shred junk mail immediately and it never becomes clutter.

I've also put a lot of thought into what I can batch, what I can eliminate/automate/outsource, and what I need to do immediately.

I go into a lot of detail about this on my blog (http://www.blog.neverthesamerivertwice.com/2008/03/10/my-four-hour-workweek-home-organization/).

[badhank]

and (yes) even how to date without a car.
im gonna have to be cynical and assume the answer to this and pretty much every other thing is:

Walk!
Cab!
Mooch ride off friend!

And im not saying that you have to define yourself with your possessions, but come a certain age, if you dont have a car you kinda look like you cant manage your finances

[JFrenzel]

Amen. This is geographically true also. If anyone has ever lived in Dallas it is the truth, no way could you date. What would you do meet at the dart station?? LOL


Answer to this thread, Geographically Dependence on Cars.

Jose

[read]

im gonna have to be cynical and assume the answer to this and pretty much every other thing is: Walk! Cab! Mooch ride off friend!
And im not saying that you have to define yourself with your possessions, but come a certain age, if you dont have a car you kinda look like you cant manage your finances

Actually, the book suggests either meeting at the restaurant or (for events where a status car really is important) renting a fancy car for a day (you can afford it, when you don't have to pay regular gas and insurance prices).

I agree. There are some women (any men? I don't know...) who wouldn't date someone without a status-car (not to mention those without any car). On the other hand, there are many of us who care about the environment enough to overlook the traditional ideas of status.

I went to a party over the weekend -- very swank, in a fancy, green building with a huge open window overlooking the city. Many of the people there were environmentalists, and at the door to the building, there were bikes everywhere from people who had cycled to the party! Times are (possibly, maybe, perhaps) changing--

And really, if we're doing this whole 4-hour-workweek thing (fear-setting, avoiding what everyone else is doing), we should be able to go against the grain a bit, yes?

Of course, that still doesn't mean that car-free life is for everyone -- I know I'm a rare case. Still, it's working for me -- and I haven't lost friends or allies over it yet.

[Sven]

Well, if it is about carrying stuff, how about this:
http://www.workcycles.nl/workcycles-bakfietsen-images/bakfiets.nl-images-08/bakfiets-xxxlang-420.jpg

[read]

I love it! Still, I wouldn't want to try to take a corner in that thing... :)

[Free4Family&Community]

I now longer have lots & lots of books on my shelves. I gave away a few hundreds of my books to the library. Whenever I need to see them again I order them online in the library web site. I now have an online bookshelf in amazon where I have registered all the books that I have read in the past 6 years. Amazon then recommends new books to me & I then auto request them from the library. If I really must have the book to keep then I buy it.:eek:

My book case is now free with just 40 books that I really want/need regularly. My office & bedroom is now free & much less cluttered.
:cool:

[Free4Family&Community]

Actually, the book suggests either meeting at the restaurant or (for events where a status car really is important) renting a fancy car for a day (you can afford it, when you don't have to pay regular gas and insurance prices).

I agree. There are some women (any men? I don't know...) who wouldn't date someone without a status-car (not to mention those without any car). On the other hand, there are many of us who care about the environment enough to overlook the traditional ideas of status.

I went to a party over the weekend -- very swank, in a fancy, green building with a huge open window overlooking the city. Many of the people there were environmentalists, and at the door to the building, there were bikes everywhere from people who had cycled to the party! Times are (possibly, maybe, perhaps) changing--

And really, if we're doing this whole 4-hour-workweek thing (fear-setting, avoiding what everyone else is doing), we should be able to go against the grain a bit, yes?

Of course, that still doesn't mean that car-free life is for everyone -- I know I'm a rare case. Still, it's working for me -- and I haven't lost friends or allies over it yet.

Good point. We now only have 1 car & only use it every now & then @ weekends. We mainly walk, bus or take the train. A parent was surprised that I took the bus for the school run when I had a car. I have lost loads of lbs walking; meet lots of people/fiends during the journey & spent more time talking with my son during the travel to school.

[Cameron B]

I've pretty much just stuck to the miscellaneous crap that has found it's way into my life and is looking to be thrown into the junk bin of some else's world. I have 2 cars. A Jeep Wrangler and a Geo Metro. The Geo is my daily driver and the Jeep is my toy and does actually see heavy off highway use. I tend to see the simplifying as meaning to "cut the clutter" from one's life. No need to own lots of stuff, just buy for quality rather than quantity when you do buy.

[global-citizen]

I cycle to work everyday. It's about 20 to 30 min each way. It would take me about the same amount of time to drive and park. So I basically get my daily aerobic exercise in no extra time. Plus I save on parking, gas, and maintenance. I do this year round and I live in Canada with plenty of snow and cold. If you dress right it's not a problem. I shower at work and change into my business clothes.

I still own a car because I like the freedom to get out of town and around town quickly. And yes, I think having a car helps to create the perception that you are financial solvent, which helps make you more attractive to the ladies. But then having firm buns makes you attractive as well, and cycling helps with that.

[officer_dibble]

Never had a car - and frankly most people I know who have them seem to always be paying for them (insurance, tax, repairs, repayment plan, fuel).

They, along with mortgages, are two of the main things that keep you working for the man.

I think it depends which company you keep as to whether a car is important status wise. Do you really want to date or a lasting relationship with someone who's shallow enough to think a car is important?

Dump your car - if your geographical situation makes it doable (and it doesn't for everyone).

[David_D]

I must admit I love my car.. I always add a car into dreamlines and planning... I could though i reckon do with out it... I just don't want to :p

[sadu]

really? i use rage against the machine as fuel for a HIIT workout, both weights and cardio.

Hell yeah. Rage Against the Machine can easily double your productivity. I crank it up at work when I need to get a project out the door, and it totally makes you workout harder at the gym.

It's got just the right tempo and a good level of angryness, it's perfect really. I can also highly recommend anything from Nightwish (a symphonic metal group from Finland) which has a similar effect on productivity.

I biked to work for a while (when I had a permanent job) and it was great. The exercise is fantastic, it's just as fast as driving, and you arrive at work motivated and ready to kick ass. The only problem I had was the lack of shower facilities at work, so I would have to give myself a once-over with a cold flannel in the bathroom which wasn't ideal. The bike trip for me was 55mins, so you do arrive at work a bit stinky.

Well done to the OP for making the change.

[mschatz]

In the process of doing this myself. I work close enough to home where riding a bike is very doable. Looking forward to no car insurance, parking fees ($220 per month!), maintenance, DMV lines, etc.

[read]

I love hearing everyone's cycling stories -- and even reasons for having a car. Thank you!

I think being conscious of our decisions is the most important part -- whether it's consciously putting a car on a dreamline or consciously deciding to ditch the car. Most people (at least around here) have one just because that's what you do. I don't think that's a good enough reason.

For me, learning elimination (which is by far the hardest part of this 4HWW stuff) is all about learning to be conscious of stuff that other people might take for granted, like owning a car or responding to email immediately or ... whatever. It's a hard frame of mind to cultivate, but I think it's well worth the effort.