Car or no car how much will it contribute to debt?

New_To_Notts · 30 December 2005 at 8:35AM

I'm 37 and one of the few people I know who has never owned a car. I do, however, own 2 really practical shopping trolleys! I know, most people wouldn't be seen dead with one, and I felt that way too in my 20's, but now I realise it's a wonderful thing. I even have one that has a cow print design on it, so I get lots of compliments on it - so different from my very first red plaid one! This trolley wasn't cheap (£47!!), but it makes me smile so I consider it worth it!

When the shopping trolley is not quite enough, as someone else suggested, I take a cab home from the grocery store. It feels like such a luxury, but I know it's still WAY cheaper than owning a car.

For the times when both of those are not the answer, I rent a car. Each time I search on-line to find the best deal and most times I end up at National. This last time, however, I found a better deal. It was through what is called a 'broker' and though the car rental was still through National and the charge was the same, the cost to reduce the excess was very much cheaper. The car rental company charges around £10 per day to reduce your excess from £500 to £75. This broker charged £2.50 per day to reduce it right down to £0!! I always take out the extra insurance and this time it paid off as some idiot driver bashed into my wing mirror! It would have cost £120 to repair, but didn't cost me a penny.

So even with these added costs, along with a monthly tram and bus ticket, I know I'm saving tons of money by not having a car. Of course, you can't miss what you've never had...

:xmassmile

JAMIEDODGER · 30 December 2005 at 9:06AM

i wish i could get rid of my car! i have a ford galaxy and the costs of running it are HUGE!

my problem is with 4 children and one of them being disabled i need a big car. my DS3 is severely autistic and even a simple walk to the bottom of our road and back is an exhausting and sometimes distressing occasion. he also goes to a special school outside the area, which, although he is taken and collected by taxi everyday, there have been times when i have had to collect or take him myself.

i have applied for mobility DLA but was turned down even though he is on the higher rate of care component. the reason was given was because his disability is not physical (i beg to differ) and have been put off reapplying because of the forms.

i shop at many different shops (not just one) which saves me HUGE amounts on my shopping bills each week, i would not be able to do this without a car. also two of my children are in car seats still (DS3 being in massive special needs carseat) and if i took the two of them in say a taxi, i could not possibly keep both under control and their safety would be at risk)

i detest having such a big car for enviromental reasons too but cannot see anyway i could cope without. public transport is not a solution as DS3 cannot cope with strangers or crowds etc

System · 30 December 2005 at 5:05PM

I completly feel for you JD. What annoys me off with this situation, is that my OH parents are "disabled" but still work(part time, only working like 8 years in the last 30) and claim so many benefits they have more money than they can spend, esp as one of them is "cash in hand" for 40 hours a week. I digress. They have one disability car between them and they now want two. It just really makes me angry when people such as yourself have to fight all the way when some scroungers get it all!

Ian-S100 · 22 May 2012 at 9:39AM

I'm selling my car today as like everyone else the benefits of having a car don't measure up to the costs. The only down side is that I only got insured in Feb so I have 9 months left on my policy. Does anyone have any magic tips on canceling insurance without paying the usual costs. I suspect not but I thought it worth asking!