You looking to go on a tropical vacation this winter? You looking to upgrade your basement into an entertainment room? Is the only thing that’s stopping you from pursuing any of these exciting activities the fact that your car broke down and your savings have to go towards paying for the repairs? If this describes your current situation then maybe you should try using public transportation to save money.
Yes I know it is extremely boring and it feels like it takes forever to get to work or school, but the financial benefits can not be ignored. Believe me no one hates being crammed in a small space with a bunch of strangers more than I do. In fact I never considered the option of using public transportation as a means to get to school until I found out how much a school parking pass would cost, price of gas at the time, and the fact that getting downtown takes a really long time by car. In fact I get to school quicker by taking the bus and a subway than I would by driving simply because my school is located in the downtown area.
Many people will be quick to jump in on this discussion and say that the money you save isn’t worth it because you don’t want to be crammed in with a bunch of strangers, wait in the freezing cold for the bus to come, or money is not a issue for you. Those in favor of public transportation will probably jump in and list all of the benefits of public transportation since you don’t have to pay for a parking pass, car maintenance, insurance, oil changes, and gas. This article will NOT cover the basic savings of public transportation, I will simply provide you with a few ways to optimize your time spent on public transportation:
Idea #1: Last minute studying. Let’s be honest with ourselves, how many of you reading this would have failed an exam if it weren’t for the last minute cramming on the bus/subway? Some of us may spend anywhere from 30-90 minutes on the bus/subway, so it’s best if we spent this time wisely instead of trying to check out the cute girls on the bus.
Idea #2: A chance to read or write. Whether you want to read the newspaper or write some rough notes before work this is the ideal time. Many people reading this (including myself) may even write blog articles while on the subway. Either way this is the perfect time to catch up on our daily reading and writing.
Idea #3: Watch a movie. Unless you have been living under a rock the last 3 years chances are that you or someone in your family have some sort of a hand held movie player. Instead of taking up valuable time at home watching tv or random movies, why not try doing this while on your way to work/school?
Idea #4: Update your budget. On your way to your destination for the day try working on your budget. Look over it, see if you are on track with your budget, and make any necessary updates. On your way home everyday you should briefly analyze your budget for the day. Think about any changes you may have made or any purchases you made that you weren’t planning on making. This may seem extremely boring but I would argue it is one of the most effective methods for ensuring you are on track with your budget.
I'm a 24 year old dude that studied finance in school and now wants to make it fun. Over the past three years I've been helping readers like YOU make more money and keep more cash in your pocket. I've appeared live on Fox Business News and I've been mentioned in the NY Times.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post.
When a lived in London a couple of years ago, we LIVED on public transport! The trains and buses were great! You could get anywhere you wanted fairly quickly, and it provided you a relaxing way to get from here to there (most of the time, at least!).
Anyway, it’ll save you money if you do it the right way!
Some ideas I use are:
1. Listen to music
2. Listen to news on the radio
3. Play on my Nintendo DS
4. Plan my blog article
5. Text message to say hi to friends/family
6. Browse the internet on my phone
@Trevor I agree with you in the sense that public transportation is usually more relaxing than being stuck in traffic or having to deal with maniac drivers.
@Richer and Slimmer thanks for the list of great ideas. Browsing the internet is definitely something that I started doing lately due to my new smart phone purchase. Planning blog articles is also another benefit of owning a smart phone
When I was in college I used to bike to class. I bought a used bike that required little maintenance. I even rode it on days when it snowed. Not only did I save money on not having a car, but it provided a little extra exercise. This of course is only an option if you live within a reasonable distance.