by It all started with a simple question from my wife, Tatiana: “Does my Suzuki Aereo have a tilt wheel, front-wheel drive, and alloy rims?” That’s when I knew she was finally getting ready to publish an ad on Craigslist to sell the car. Little did we know, this decision would lead us on a journey of financial growth and lifestyle simplification.
The Suzuki’s Swan Song
For over a year, our trusty Suzuki had been more of a driveway ornament than a vehicle. After moving closer to work, our daily commute became a carpool affair, leaving the Suzuki lonely and underused. We’d kept it around for those “just in case” moments, but deep down, we knew it was time to let go.
Tatiana took charge of the selling process, crafting a detailed Craigslist ad that would make any car salesman proud. Within minutes of posting, our phones were buzzing with interest. It was like watching a reality TV show unfold in our living room!
Our buyer turned out to be a recent immigrant from Puerto Rico, looking for a reliable ride to get him to and from work. When he pulled out a thick wad of $20 bills held together by a rubber band, I couldn’t help but smile—it reminded me of my own early days in the US.
As fellow immigrants, we understood the challenges of starting over. So, when he asked if we could deliver the car to his home (he didn’t have plates yet), we happily agreed. It gave Tatiana a chance to say a proper goodbye to her college companion of ten years.
The One-Car Experiment Begins
It’s been a few weeks since we bid farewell to the Suzuki, and I’m happy to report that we’re thriving as a one-car family. Sure, it requires a bit more planning and communication, but the benefits far outweigh the occasional inconvenience.
We’ve already avoided the headache of registration and insurance renewals, and the money from the sale is now happily growing in a Roth IRA. I can almost hear it whispering, “Cha-ching, cha-ching!” every time I check our investment accounts.
Living closer to work has been a game-changer. On days when one of us needs the car, the other can hop on the company shuttle or take a short walk to the nearby train station. It’s forced us to be more mindful of our transportation choices and has even led to some unexpected adventures in our neighborhood.
Lessons Learned and Money Saved
This experience has reinforced a valuable lesson: often, our biggest expenses are tied to housing, food, and transportation. By tackling just one of these areas, we’ve made significant progress on our journey to financial independence.
For those not quite ready to become a one-car household, consider these alternatives:
- Opt for fuel-efficient or electric vehicles
- Choose older, reliable models over brand-new cars
- Adjust your insurance coverage and deductibles
- Explore public transportation options in your area
Remember, the path to financial freedom is paved with small, intentional choices. For us, becoming a one-car family was a step in the right direction. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
Nice job! We did consider going down to a single car, but do not have as convenient of a public transportation option. Our cars are cheap enough, and do not require much maintenance. But one day it would be nice to eliminate the hassle and costs of 2 cars.
Thanks Mr. Crazy Kicks. It is definitely harder to accomplish without convenient public transportation around. In our case, working in the same place and also having the option to take a shuttle to work, two blocks away from home, makes it a tough argument to keep two cars parked on the driveway.
Even though the cost were low for us as well since the car was old, the small savings start to add up. It felt really nice to pay insurance and registration for one car this year. Thanks for stopping by!
Zipcar can also be a great back-up alternative for a second ride when necessary.
Yes, I heard they’re a great option. We’ll keep it in mind. Thanks for the suggestion.
We’ve been a one car home for 9 months now and love it! I’m glad you guys did it. In our calculations it was costing us about $4K excluding gas costs to run a second year. When we get frustrated about planning how to share the car, we remind ourselves how much we are saving by not having it. It makes an $8 uber here and there much more palatable 🙂
We saved the sale proceeds for a down payment down the road, and are putting away those annual savings in a Roth!
Those are huge savings that add up over time. Even if you need to rent a car for a few days out of the year you still come out ahead. Keep the savings coming!