When you love cars, the idea of your family going down to one car can be daunting. However, there are some serious benefits to consider, especially if someone in your family works from home or extremely close to home. Not only can you save money on gas by becoming a one-car family, but you can also save on things like inspections, registrations, and insurance. If you’re trying to reduce your debt-to-income ratio or reduce your carbon footprint, becoming a one-car family can be a good idea. But can you actually survive as a one-car family?
Can You Physically Survive?
Before you decide to become a one-car family, you have to consider whether or not it’s actually a practical decision for your family. If you’re a family with two adults, one of whom works from home, it might be practical. If you both have 30-minute commutes in opposite directions, it’s probably not a real solution for you.
Assuming it’s actually practical for your family, the following tips will help you make it actually work.
Buy a Good Car
If you’re going to be surviving with just one car, you want to make sure the car isn’t going to be breaking down on you all the time. Going down to just one car payment, plus cheaper insurance and fewer repairs, means you can probably afford a pricier car than you’ve owned in the past. Do your research and be sure to buy a reliable car with a high safety rating. It should go without saying, but if you’re a one-car family, you also want to be sure your car is big enough to fit the whole family at once. If there’s a possibility of expanding your family in the near future, buy a car that can accommodate one to two more passengers than you currently have for it.
Keep Your Car in Good Shape
Again, if you only have one of something, it needs to be in good working order. Making good maintenance decisions, like choosing the right oil for your engine, can help your car work longer and need repairs less often. Speaking to a MOT Specialist can help you know how to take care of your car.
Communicate Ahead of Time
When you decide to become a one-car household, there are certain things you’ll have to figure out as you go—like what to do if your husband wants to go to a museum and you want to go out with the girls. However, as much as you can, try to communicate ahead of time about what you’ll do in certain situations. When your car needs to be repaired, for example, which is bound to happen at least once, do you plan to get a rental car, take an Uber to work, or ask a relative to borrow their car? And do you feel comfortable being home with the kids if their car seats are in a car that’s away from home? Having these conversations before you decide to make this big change in your life is key to a smooth transition.
Compromise
The biggest thing you’ll need if you’re a one-car household is the ability to compromise. Wanting to go two different places one day, for example, may mean having to drive a little out of your way to drop someone off, or it may mean coming back earlier than you otherwise would have so your husband can have a few hours with the car as well.
Get Comfortable
Maybe you’re uncomfortable asking people if you can carpool with them, or maybe you don’t love taking the bus. Having some discomfort with other modes of transportation is okay, but if you’re going to become a one-car family, you need at least one emergency mode of transportation in case something happens. So, learn to get comfortable with something, whether it’s calling a Lyft or asking your mother-in-law if you can borrow her car. If you can’t get comfortable with something other than driving yourself where you want to go, you’re probably not ready to become a one-car household.
Going down to one car can be difficult. If you live in the right circumstances, it can be a great way to save money, but it also demands sacrifice. If you want to survive in a one-car household, you have to think it through. Make sure you’re ready to compromise and can handle emergencies before you decide to go down to one car. If you can, it might be a great decision for you.
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