229
What's the best financial decision you've ever made? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
180 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 19 points 3 years ago (3 children)

Not owning a car is probably the single most significant saving most people can make, a moped/e-bike will pay itself off within the year from gas costs alone, and public transport in europe at least is usually slightly less than that for a year ticket.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 12 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    I wish it was possible not to own a car in the US. But our infrastructure is built so poorly that it is actually impossible.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Yes awful public transportation...but "impossible"? Nahh. Still, could save alot of wear and tear getting and ebike for a portion of travel distance.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    I feel bad for the younger generations. This whole car culture and at most places being mandatory is just bad.

    I am fortunate to live in a city with decent public transit. I could have owned a car back in 2018 but I put that on standby indefinitely. The money I saved went into buying a house. And now, a bigger house.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 7 points 3 years ago

    I buy the best car I can afford for cash and maintain it. Repayments on a $30,000 car work out at around $7500 a year for me. Until a car starts costing me big in repairs or breaking down repeatedly and inconveniencing me I just pay the money and keep it well maintained.

    A $10,000 volvo that Ive had for 3 years has cost me $3k in assorted repairs. So $13000 vs $22500.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    Question about the public transport system, how long does it take to get to common destinations like work, grocery stores, doctors, and etc? Also, how easy is it to get to stations/stops?

    For example, the closest grocery store by me is a 37 minute walk or 12 minutes by bike I just don't think it would be practical to ride with a weeks worth of food for a family. There is no public transportation available.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 10 points 3 years ago

    When living in more walkable areas you don't feel the need to stockpile food as much. Often times you'll pass a grocer on your commute and can grab some fresh ingredients to use that night or the next few days. This can help save money too as you can take better advantage of short sales and have more opourtunity for "eat today" type discounts. Theres also the health benefits of active transportation. Unfortunately in most western society being able to walk to essential life giving food isn't seen as a priority in neighbourhood design.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 5 points 3 years ago

    For distances you can reach within 20-30min on bike, public transport is usually about equal. Here in sweden (where public transport is kinda eeeeh) gettign to the stops is easy so long as you're not outside a town.

    I think your problem is that you're applying car logic to non-car modes of transport: when you can reach the store in 12 minutes by bike there's little reason to buy a week's worth of food at once.

    I usually buy food for maybe 2-3 days at a time, and not seldom i will just buy the ingredients for a meal literally a couple hours before, since it takes no time at all to go shopping.

    You can also get a cargo bike which will honestly fit about as much food as people bring in their cars anyways. Same goes with a bike trailer.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent