In this episode we talk about the Minimalistic forms of transportation and how to break free from crippling automotive debt.
The transportation problems
- The goose story. Talking about the issue with the repair.
- If you drive 10,000 miles in a year, that comes to $900. If you drive 20,000 miles, that figure jumps to $1,800 annually.
- owning and operating an average sedan costs $8,558 per year, which is equal to $713 per month or 57 cents per mile. (2016)
- https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/what-does-it-cost-to-own-and-operate-a-car
- Keep in mind this is $150 for tires???
- I think it’s closer to 10k
- 10k / 12
- $833 a month $416 every 2 weeks ~$30 a day.
- Nearly 90% of U.S. households report spending money on gasoline, an average of nearly $3,000 per year. Now that’s almost $40 a day…. AVERAGE.
- Not the work week that is all 7 days baby! Now by the work week that is ~$56 a day just to use a car. That’s 1 car not 2.
- The average monthly car payment in the U.S. is $563 for new vehicles, $397 for used vehicles and $450 for leased vehicles.
- Now we are up to $76 a work day to “Own” and operate your transportation (on average)
- Not owning a car is like your boss saying you get a .50 an hour raise.
- That car is taking almost $1,000 a month from your check.
- These numbers do not care if it’s a cheap shit box or a new BMW they are an average.
Now that is out of the way. Let’s get to the fun stuff!
- You might not get rid of all this but you can at least make it more reasonable.
- Average car has over 14,000 parts and a modern Toyota has 30,000.
- KISS Complex is bad, simple is good not to be confused with easy and hard.
- Minimalist transportation should be simple. Fewer moving parts.
- Should use the least amount of resources as possible.
- Should only cost for use.
What do we need?
- Nobody’s life is the same so this is not a one size fits all.
- How fast do you NEED to go?
- How far is your job?
- Do you transport kids? How often?
- Groceries ?
- Do you need to use a couple different options?
So what are our options??
- Walk under a mile or 2.
- An average person should walk at least 4 miles a day just to maintain his or her fitness level. https://goingfitunfit.com/how-many-miles-should-you-walk/#.
- The average American walks 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day, or roughly 1.5 to 2 miles. It’s a good idea to find out how many steps a day you walk now, as your own baseline. Then you can work up toward the goal of 10,000 steps by aiming to add 1,000 extra steps a day every two weeks. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391#
- Cheapest form of transportation and it pays you back.
- Bike.
- Beginner, short distance (say 10-15 miles): average speed 12 mph. Most cyclists can achieve 10-12 mph average very quickly with limited training. More experienced, short-medium distance (say 20-30 miles): average 15-16 mph. Reasonable experience, medium (say 40 miles): average around 16-19 mph. https://www.road-bike.co.uk/articles/average-speed.php#ay%2010,average%20around%2016%2D19%20mph
- Road bike $350-700. Mountain bike $1000. Single-speed bike $400.
- If you replace all wear items on a bike every year it’s $165 on average and lasts up to 10 years. https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/how-to-plan-your-bike-maintenance-repair-budget
- Has under 100 parts in total.
- .65 per a day
- Motorcycle / scooter / moped
- This one is controversial. Must get more than 60 mpg. Should learn to service on your own. Ect.
- 300cc or less.
- The average cost of motorcycle insurance is $702 per year in the U.S. $58 per mo. $2 per day. https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-motorcycle-insurance
- With the average commute of 25 miles and 80 mpg that’s about $1 a day.
- Maintenance $2.20 a day do the math yourself go to the link. https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/shopping-guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-service-a-motorcycle#
- Let’s call it $6 a day to run this option less if you do the maintenance yourself.
- Fewer moving parts and less money to fix.
- Best option if you need to go far and fast.
- Honda ruckus gets 114 miles per gallon around 40 mph
These are the same old options we always know about. New options.
- Fat tire Scooter
- Cost $1,300 ~$3,000 top end.
- 0 gas and can go 40 miles per charge.
- Top speed 25 to 40 mph.
- Has like 5 moving parts.
- Looks like a honda ruckus and a push scooter had a futuristic baby.
- Cheap parts to replace.
- Can use a second bat to double the range.
- 0 insurance.
- Easy to operate.
- No licence or tags.
- Can jump between bike and car lanes.
- Hell walk it in the crosswalk, jump back on and drive in the bike lane then into the car lane.
- Fat Tire bike (Electric)
- Same as above but can get upto 55 mph with the right hub motor. (illegal as F) but can be done.
- One Wheel
- Can go as far is 18 miles on one charge and top speed 19mph
- Compact and few parts.
- Electric or push skateboard, push scooter, longboard.
- Tons of options that are way less expensive and way more efficient.
- All of them have one thing in common. Not 4 wheels and not a steel cage.
- Do you need all that? Or is it a want??
Things to fill the gaps.
- Is a little discomfort worth saving $70+ a day?
- When needed you could get an Uber or Lyft.
- Rent a car for big trips.
- Get groceries delivered.
- Bum a ride or borrow a car.
- Carpool with others.
- Hell, riding a magic carpet it’s not complicated.
Other stuff.
- Tesla story.
- We will be listed in all the major podcasting apps.
- Subscribe to the newsletter.
- Share the episode.
- Visit the website.
- Peace out.