Extra money saving

Mrs_Sparkle · 7 January 2007 at 7:24PM

I used to cycle to work when I worked 6 miles away. It took me 35-40 minutes each way and the weight dropped off me, even though I was eating more as I was always starving by the time I got to my destination. It helps if you have a shower at work- I kept towel, shower gel, clean clothes and shoes at work so didn't have a heavy backpack.

If you do give cycling a shot just treat ALL car drivers as if they're about to cut you up/bash into the side of you/run a red light and you won't go far wrong. Sometimes they genuinely can't see you and sometimes they're cyclist-hating idiots who will give you a scare for the sake of it. In my experience pedestrians are the ones who'll give you the most heart attacks by walking out in front of you without looking. My only collision so far was with a bloke who stepped straight in front of my bike then had a go at me for running him over!

Seaxwyn's right- it does clear your head and gives you thinking time. I love it and I'm only sorry that I'm not fit/speedy enough to do my 24 miles round trip commute now.

jm28cardiff · 7 January 2007 at 10:13PM

Food for thought! I can actually get a bike loan with work, I get the bike now, and they take the cost out of my next 12 months pay packets (interest free of course!). I used to cycle to uni every day, till my bike totally rusted up and I threw it away

On another money front, I have now rustled up £300 on Amazon Marketplace since new years day selling off some books and DVD's! Sold one set to a guy in Japan, I smell some kind of scam coming off that one, but as long as I totally cover all exits with insurance and proof of postage, I should be ok I hope!!

Seaxwyn · 7 January 2007 at 10:17PM

£300 on Amazon in a week, that's amazing! Well done you! I've made about a tenner in the same time....

Annie_Fanny · 7 January 2007 at 10:37PM

jm28cardiff wrote:

Transport - Spend £42 a month on a bus pass. I'm thinking of walking to work and back each day (takes about an hour each way). On the one hand, thats a giant hassle, especially if its raining, but on the other hand, I am 3-4 stone overweight, so could kill 2 birds with one stone...or could just try it out for a month or two.

Would you spend an hour walking to work? Suppose I could cycle, but there are issues with this (getting to work and being all sweaty, if its wet getting water/mud sprayed up your back from the rear wheel, getting killed by all the bad drivers who think they can intimidate cyclists etc!)

That's what mudguards were invented for!

Do you have a bike? What facilities do you have at work - shower? I cycle to work. I love it. If it would take an hour to walk then to cycle would be much quicker and it would help you lose weight.

Annie_Fanny · 7 January 2007 at 10:40PM

jm28cardiff wrote:

Food for thought! I can actually get a bike loan with work, I get the bike now, and they take the cost out of my next 12 months pay packets (interest free of course!). I used to cycle to uni every day, till my bike totally rusted up and I threw it away

You can also use the loan to get any additional bike equipment you need as well - which should cover locks, clothing, lights and mudguards hopefully!

Seaxwyn · 7 January 2007 at 10:43PM

You may well be able to get a bike on Freecycle and get a loan just to do it up. I got my latest bike free when my children spotted someone putting it in a skip and raced home to tell me! I spent £70 on doing it up (a thorough clean up, new tyres and inner tubes, mudguards, lock and lights) and it's served me very well.

newmum1 · 7 January 2007 at 10:43PM

I think that there are a few things that you could try, like getting off the bus a few stops earlier, or walking one way, I reckon this would be a good idea but you wont feel knackered at the same time and you will still be cutting back on the money front.

Spendaholic_Chick · 7 January 2007 at 10:59PM

oh, I'm late to the thread, I was going to sugest joining freecycle and seeing if anyone had a pair of clippers going spare.

jm28cardiff · 7 January 2007 at 11:01PM

Theres a gym at work, but its run by the landlord of the building, not my company, there are showers in there, but I dont think they would just allow me to use them if Im not a member of the gym. May ask about this tmw, put some pressure on!