If you don’t live far away from where you work, you might be thinking about ditching the car when spring returns. Commuting via car can be efficient, but it can be more costly for many. Not to mention with many other options, commuting in the car can be the one that gets you stuck in traffic.
Here are a couple of ways to commute that can be more cost-effective and, in some cases, help with your overall fitness levels too.
Photo by Roman Koester on Unsplash
Walking
It used to be that people would walk a lot further than they do now. Walking has slid into a hobby, or something people do for their mental health. But if you live close enough to work to walk, but have been avoiding it – it’s time to ask yourself why?
Walking is great for your mental health, but it is great for your body in general. Walking for 30 minutes and more per day will increase your fitness levels, and get you that minimum amount of activity per day.
When safe to do so, combine walking with listening to your favourite podcast or music.
Cycling
Millions of people all over the world have ditched cars for bikes. Cycling is an enjoyable thing to do in the first place, but if you haven’t cycled since you were a child, you’ll probably need a refresher. Get the best cycling certification so that you use your bike safely in all circumstances.
And if you’re worried about cycling in bad weather – the dutch have a saying, “I’m not made out of sugar!” – they cycle come rain or shine.
Many cities have rentable bikes, so if you’re not sure if you’d enjoy it, rent a bike and see how you manage the commute.
Public Transport
While public transport sometimes means you’ll take longer to arrive at your destination – it also means you are free to do other things. You can read a book, listen to audiobooks – or if you have a long train journey, you can even get some work done!
Check to see what provisions your workplace has for people who use public transport.
Public transport is a greener option than driving, but not as green as walking or cycling.
Telecommute
With more offices than ever switching to a hybrid way of working – it is a great idea to ask! Unless your job requires you to be hands on, there may be the opportunity to telecommute – and you only need to be available for calls.
Carpool
One person in a car costs a lot – but if you have a few colleagues that live close by, a carpool could be a great choice. Each month you can all contribute towards the fuel costs, and where possible, take your turns to drive.
Commuting can be cheaper and healthier with just a small change and a bit of commitment to making the switch.
Changing how you commute can be a step towards freeing up some cash, here are a few other ideas, too: Stay Financially Healthy Without Sacrificing Your Life.
Photo by Alexander Bagno on Unsplash
