Managing to reduce to one car.

[whatever45]

Anyone else tried reducing to one car per family? Looking at ways to save money and as the leases on our two cars end in May I'm wondering if reducing to one car might be an option. I can walk to work and DH drives 45 mins or could get occasional train if needed ( though not cheap). DC are teenagers so becoming more independent and clubs etc are generally later in the evening when DH would be around. Have elderly DF in a care home nearby. Also have pets and foreign students living with us . I'd have to give up gym membership as couldn't get there but I guess the walking etc would help. Trying to think of what I need to consider if I was car less. Anyone else done the same?

Funnily enough I'm trying to convince my husband that we don't need two!

My car just gave up the ghost, he hasn't passed his test. I want to buy a car that will suit him when he passes (and pool budgets for it), but I drive for now.

I walk to work - gym in walking distance too.
We do joint long trips at weekends (very rarely do I visit friends solo, but it does happen occasionally).
Various pootling trips locally.
He would frequently need the car during the week - when I almost never use it or can reschedule.

And yet he thinks we would need two!

Trial it through the summer - what's the worst that could happen? Exercise habits would be well established by winter.

Alternatively, if you find it doesn't work for you, I would highly recommend getting an old secondhand runaround for your additional car. Having an expensive lease you don't need is madness.

Hte main reason we have two is the DCs. Even now they are teens, there are often occasions when they both have to be in completely different places at the same time. Whilst they are more independent, I don't really like them having to use public transport later in the evening, especially in the winter. It also takes them so much longer to travel, so would mean that they might not be able to attend activities if there wasn't sufficient time left for homework etc. It's not always possible to get lifts with friends either.

We've recently moved to just one car after years of mine sitting on the drive most of the time. It's been far easier than we thought and in fact has made us more organised in a way- we need to plan ahead who needs the car most, how we will get the DC to activities etc. An added bonus is that it makes it far harder to be constantly popping to the shops when I've not got the car so our meals are better planned and food bill is lower too.

Thank you for your thoughts. I was so sure but over the last few weeks have thought about some of the things that may come up over next two years - uni visits, DC part time jobs, elderly parent, health appointments etc. Lots to consider!

Bicycles? Car clubs for the rare occasion you really need a 2nd car? Add up the cost of running a second car compared with alternatives, that gives you a budget for how much you could still choose to spend on taxis when necessary.

We had only one car for years. It was fine. There were times where one of us needed to be in one place and another in another at the same time but it was all manageable. You just get used to it.

We have just one - works well for us as we work close to home. We tend to arrange lift shares with friends sometimes if children need to be in different places at same time.

Occasional taxis or (very occasional) hire cars are much cheaper than buying second car!

We have just one although DH hasn’t work van but this can only used business hours and no passengers . We manage fine with two DC but have always had in the back of my mind upon the rare occasion we both need the car one of us could get a taxi, this hasn’t happened yes as one area of my life which seems organised!

My parents in law did this but it’s been quite a regret for my mil as she feels her independence has been taken away. She can’t just jump in the car and go shopping or out for the day; it all needs to be negotiated and organised with fil.

We have always had one. Dh gets train to work, (walks to station), & I ferry dc about.