subject: Driving to Work [print this page] Author: Brenda Williams Author: Brenda Williams
Driving to Work is the bane of existence for many people. It is even more of a problem now that gas prices are higher than they have ever been. Couple this news with a downed economy and an unemployment rating that is now well above ten percent, and things are looking bleak every time you put your car key in the ignition.
Personally, the thought of having to drive my car ANYWHERE makes my stomach turn because I know that this means that I am only steps away from having to fill my car up at the gas station. I never used to care about gas prices when I was in college and wasn't really paying for anything. However, after graduating college and sort of being thrown into the "real world" where Mommy and Daddy are no longer really helping you out (translation: you have to pay for everything yourself), I have been extremely frugal and have been keeping my eye on gas prices.
We all make stupid decisions. If we didn't make dumb decisions, then what would we have to learn from? Well, my stupid decision was to purchase a vehicle that I really couldn't afford only to then have the economy crash. The result? I am now stuck with a vehicle that has a high monthly payment (because at the time of purchase I didn't have any money to use as a down payment) and which sucks up gasoline like no one's business. It also, certainly, does not help matters that my boyfriend drives a vehicle that is ill suited to driving anywhere save for sunny, warm days. He has a BMW Z3 convertible, which is great when the weather is nice out, but for pretty much everything else, it is entirely impractical.
Any time I want to travel to see my grandmother in Charlotte or take an impromptu trip to the beach or drive home to New York to visit my family and friends, chances are pretty darn good that I'll be driving my small sport utility vehicle. I'm now starting to consider the idea of renting a car when I have to travel if for nothing else but the money that it will save me at the pump. But when you think about it, you're still using the same amount of money after you factor in other expenses such as taxes and whatever fee a car rental place would charge you.
Driving to work used to be a huge problem because in the area that I live in, driving to work meant at least a twenty to sixty minute commute one way (depending on traffic and weather conditions), and then once I got to the area that I worked in, I had to deal with city driving (which was really, really killing my gasoline consumption). I actually considered quitting my job because I was just turning over my paycheck to pay for my car expenses at one point!
If I ever find myself in a situation where I have to get another job, the first consideration is going to be location and whether or not I can do some or all of the work from home because driving to work is simply too costly at this point in my financial career; and I know that there are others out there just like me who feel the exact same way!About the Author:
