1 car family?

Emeraldeyed315

Hello! I posted a bit last year. I was working 1 day a week as a music teacher. This year I became 4 days a week so I haven't posted on this board. We are expecting baby #2 this summer and are exploring the idea of me completely being a sahm. Don't worry, I'm not about to ask you about home businesses and sales pitches...

We can get by with everything status quo on our budget, but we could put more into our 529 account if we get rid of a car payment. DH has the option of working from home so we are debating selling his car and becoming a one car family. If he ever had to go into the office, it is only 5 minutes down the road and I don't mind packing up the car with the kids do get him there. I am nervous for the day to day and weekend times of needing cars though. I guess we could consider getting an old model that we don't need a loan for but then I worry about upkeep.  Does any one have any pros and cons of doing this? Any experience? 

Thanks so much!  

Emeraldeyed315

VASC said:

Also, does your city/town have Zipcars? It's a car-sharing service that you subscribe to and can reserve use of a car anytime. We used this in our previous city when we needed two cars at once.

no zipcars here, but my parents and brother all live/work nearby if we needed something in a pinch. 

UnofficiallyLO

I SAH and SO works a few miles away, we are considering becoming a one car hh as well so I'm interested to hear the input.

Emeraldeyed315

farmrsboywife said:

VASC said:

Also, does your city/town have Zipcars? It's a car-sharing service that you subscribe to and can reserve use of a car anytime. We used this in our previous city when we needed two cars at once.

no zipcars here, but my parents and brother all live/work nearby if we needed something in a pinch. 

When I lived close to my parents we had one car for a very long time. It would still be possible with family around.

What problems did you have sharing 1 car?

nosoup4u

We have one car, but live in a large city. I am a mile away from my job, and can either walk or take the bus if DH has to take kids to school (I usually do it, tho). Is biking an option for your DH? Mine rides his bike to work and it's his primary mode of transportation, which frees up the car for me. If your DH is only a few minutes from his office, and will WFH, it seems really doable for you guys.

Emeraldeyed315

nosoup4u said:

We have one car, but live in a large city. I am a mile away from my job, and can either walk or take the bus if DH has to take kids to school (I usually do it, tho). Is biking an option for your DH? Mine rides his bike to work and it's his primary mode of transportation, which frees up the car for me. If your DH is only a few minutes from his office, and will WFH, it seems really doable for you guys.

I'd feel better just driving him the days he needs to go in. Our weather here is dodgy

jaynebee

We're a one car family w/o family around.  Granted, we only live 2 miles from where my husband works, so he bikes to work every day.  Snow, rain, etc.  On the rare days he needs the car, we stay close to home, but I have almost everything in walking distance.  I also have a chariot for my bike.

snowbound

We are basically a one car family. My old car just sits in the garage because we are over dumping money into repairs month after month. We get by. I do most/all of my errands on the weekends or when DH gets home from work. The only problems we have a doctors appts and gym time for me, which are easy to work around.

caybeh

We are not, but my sister and her family were a one car family for probably 4 years. She pretty much was a SAHM. She did work prn shifts on the weekends occasionally. If she needed the car that day, she took her H to work.

I think your situation sounds doable.