So we live in rural North Idaho and we normally have two cars. Our family Subaru and our little beater Honda. Well the Honda died, in our driveway at least, and though we offically haven't had it looked at we're pretty sure, and so is our mechanic, that the Honda is offically dead and probaby not worth the $$$ to fix it.

This wasn't a big deal because my husband had access to transportation through his work. Well now he's in the process of taking a new job and the job requires a car. We orginally thought that I could just drive him to and from work everyday or he could bike and that would be it. No, he is traveling between schools and that requires a car. I can walk to the grocercy store but I'm eight months pregnant and that is becoming more uncomfortable and way too far for banking, post office, or my part time work.

Thankfully I can do a lot of my work from home but I learned yesterday I need to be a bit more organized for that. I also have a mother that will help me out, a bit, but even there I don't want to abuse her good hearted kindness. Oh well, at least it is spring and not the dead of winter!

I know how you feel (except that I'm not pregnant!!!). As of begginning of July we will turn in our leased car and only keep one car. I'm very happy about this since it will save us a bundle of money (about 700$/month) but I'm also scared since I don't really know how this will work out for me and the kids.

Good luck to you and the new baby

We're a one car family too. The only advantage we have is that we've always been a one car family so we didn't have to adjust to going from 2 to 1. In our family it works with a lot of compromises. Somedays I get the car, other days he gets the car. It does make more work to drive him or pick him up from work or the train station but it is a huge savings every month from what it would be if we had two.

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We tried it for a few years and we were miserable. Especially with having a baby - how will you do Dr. appts., which are many? Is there any way you can get a used one? We were at the point where we were ready to rent one! The buying process is just so hateful. We're back at two, and there's absolutely no way we can do w/one again. BUT, we live in the suburbs, dh's trip to work is 25 mi. each way and I have to drive ds to school and other events each day. It's not fun without one, but it depends on your lifestyle, where you live and the public transportation available.

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It was our first week without the car and we're getting by. My mother did have to help me on two different trips but it worked out well for her because she spent time with her grand-daughter and I ran a couple of errands for her. And I'm walking more! We will eventually have to go get a second car but I really would like to hold off until the fall. We'll see how the summer goes.

I told my husband that I think that we should sell one of our cars in September. Its only worth about $3000 and paid off, but selling it could pay off the balance on my son's braces ($200/mo.) and will save us the extra gas ($180 per month). This means that I will have no transportation during the day.
My plan is to ride bikes with the kids to/from their elementary school. Our doctor offers eveing appts. until 7pm, so I can take kids when hubby gets home from work, and I usually do my grocery shopping in the evening anyway. The only thing I will really miss will be going to the gym (5 days a week!). I would ride a bike there, but it is too dangerous on that road. I will have to find a substitute. My only concern is feeling cut off from the world.
Hubby was so inspired, he offered to sell his gas-guzzling truck instead. That truck is worth about $7000, which will allow us to put some money into an emergency fund. Plus, we will save an extra $150 per month on gas because his truck is so expensive to fill up ($70 per tank!).
It will be a big change- but I am willing and excited to get our finances in a better place.

It's always worth trying! And if you sell the truck (more $$$) and find out that living with only one car doesn't work for you, than you can always buy another, cheaper car and still be ahead! Good luck. I'd like to say that it has answered all of our problems (going down to one car), it hasn't, but I figure it is worth an attempt. Of course winter, for us, will be a different story!

When my son was 2 mos. old the lease was up on our 2nd car. We made the difficult decision to give it up and only keep the car we already had ( its paid for ) The last year and a half have been a little difficult at times with only one car, but now I can't imagine another car payment,insurance,registration etc... We have just adapted to having one car and it works out okay. My DH rides his bike to work on the days I know I need to go to an apt. or the grocery store. The days he does take the car I just walk if I need to get somewhere. I understand that here in southern CA. it's easier to walk though because there are so many stores around. Car payments aren't worth it if you can manage.

DH and I had only one car up until last year, when he had to buy one for his business that he started. We've been married almost 15 years (in August) and did quite well with just the one car. It is hard sometimes and there are compromises, but it was nice knowing that we only had one car payment and only had to have insurance on one car, too. We were lucky for part of it, since we worked at the same company for almost 5 years. The other years I rode to work in a carpool or drove DH to work and then myself. When I was pregnant, we had just the one car, but since DH didn't have to travel, I could take DH to work and come back home. Is there public transportation near you? Do you go to church and would they have some volunteers that might be willing to help out? How often will DH have to travel? Will he be making multiple trips a day? On days where he will be in the same place all or most of the day, maybe he could pick you up and you could take the car while he's working, then come pick him up and he could take you home before he had to go to his next stop? Good luck!!

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We've been a one car family for FIVE years! So I feel your pain! Im pretty used to it now.. but Im ready for a car of my own!

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