Giving Up My Car - An Update

By
Education & Training with Sparta Success Systems

s I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm giving up my car.  This has been a more complicated process than I thought it would be.  I've had to purchase a backpack, thermal underwear, a balaclava, new gloves, and snow boots.  I also purchased a rain slicker -- something I have never owned before.  I've had to clean out my car (wow, there was a lot of stuff in there), fill up my Charlie Card, and get a membership to Zipcar.  I've also had to dig out four years' worth of maintenance records which I had not set aside because I had planned to purchase this car at the end of the lease.  Wednesday, I will be spending the entire day at home waiting for the inspection company to look at my car so that I can return it. 

The End of an Era
Before I turn my car in, I'm trying to get all the things done that need doing now.  This means picking up items left at friends houses, visiting people who live far enough away that I can't get there by public transport, and purchasing large items that I can't carry on my bike.  I'm learning to think about the world differently.  No longer can I walk out my front door and drive anywhere I'd like.  Now I have to plan.  I look at the world according to "how much can I carry" and "how far do I have to go"?

Being More Efficient
I'm also looking into ways to be more efficient with my purchasing.  I drink a lot of seltzer, so I've been looking into a seltzer maker so that I don't have to figure out how to carry all those heavy bottles of water home.  I'm also considering home delivery of groceries.  My first stop was Peapod, but after a review of the prices they offered versus the prices of the store where I normally shop, I determined it would cost an extra $160 a month (30% more than my usual household bill) to have groceries delivered that way.  For that kind of money, I could pay someone to buy the groceries at my store and have them bring them home and put them away.  Roche Brothers on the other hand, seems to be more in line pricewise, so I'll probably try them next month and see how it goes.  I'm also looking at restarting my Boston organics delivery so that I can have fresh produce every week.

A New Mindset
They say that every time you change your circumstances you change your mind, and I am finding that to be true.  I can't wait to see what the coming months bring.  Thanks for following along.

 

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Kelle Sparta, author of The Consultative Real Estate Agent, is one of the top innovators in the industry. She thinks outside of the box and she does it with style, which is how she managed to sell 25 houses her first year in the business in a market just like this one in an area where she had no sphere of influence! Kelle's innovative techniques took her to the top of the market in 1993 and they can take you there now. Kelle has coached agents from around the country who have been producing as much as $45 million per year in gross volume. Now she brings her unique style of real estate to you. Her dynamic presentation skills, high energy approach, and brilliant new ideas are sure to be the highlight of your day. Kelle is the founder of Sparta Success Systems, a real estate training company that provides products, coaching and training to empower agents and brokers to create lives and businesses they can love. For more information, visit her website at http://www.spartasuccess.com/. © 2009, Kelle Sparta.

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Kelle Sparta
Thought Alchemist

Comments (6)

Jane Wallace
HomeSmart Realty - Denver, CO
CRS | SRES, Denver Real Estate

Kelle,

I gave up my car at the end of October and I don't even miss it, but than it's 65 degrees in Denver Today and my neighborhood has a walk score of 96. I think I'll go for a walk and check out the MLK Activities 2 blocks away

Jan 19, 2009 05:16 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Are you serious, How will you show homes? I want to follow this I think this whacked and if it works well WOW.

UPDATE After reading you other post I get it. We of course couldn't do that because we don't have zip cars but it is a great idea.

Jan 19, 2009 05:23 AM
Robert Rauf
HomeBridge Financial Services (NJ) - Toms River, NJ

I could not live with out my car... Heck, sometimes one car is not enough depending on what is on the agenda.  part of the fun of living in the burbs, and having too many hobbies!

Jan 19, 2009 05:46 AM
Kelle Sparta
Sparta Success Systems - Somerville, MA
Real Estate Trainer and Coach

Charles, I'm a trainer, so I'm not actively listing and selling anymore.  But in Boston, I might actually be able to do that anyway.

Jane - it's feeing isn't it?  How was the celebration?

Robert - I know what you mean - when I lived in the suburbs, there was no way I could have given up my car.  The blessings of being in the city I guess.

Jan 19, 2009 06:31 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Keller Williams Select Realtors-Buy a home in Washington DC. Sell a home in Washington DC - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Kelle Sparta and the Sparta Success Systems Team (Sparta Success Systems)- I agree with Robert. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a car. I am going to have to read your first post to understand better why you are giving up your car. Great post.

Jan 20, 2009 06:14 AM
Kelle Sparta
Sparta Success Systems - Somerville, MA
Real Estate Trainer and Coach

Lanre - Thanks for the shoutout!

Jan 22, 2009 08:32 AM