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Blessing In Disguise?

mommadukes2015's picture

Submitted by mommadukes2015 on Thu, 06/09/2016 - 10:22pm

Well, I've officially been without a vehicle since last Wednesday. I had to turn my plates in because my insurance company decided they no longer wanted to cover my boyfriend and canceled my entire policy-undenounced to me because I'm too stupid to open mail. :jawdrop:

So I turned in the plates on my car to avoid the fine (Bite Me NYS) over something that literally has nothing to do with me. I can't have my car for 18 days. This was no big deal originally, because I had my mom's spare car-which turned into a smoking/burning death trap last week.

BUT. All of this aside-I do have to say I am kinda LOVING not having a car. My relatives have been pretty great at helping me get BD to daycare, SS takes the bus and if I need a quick ride somewhere-my cousin is happy for a few "adult" hours. I walk down to her house. I walk home-hell I'm even getting exercise. Sure it's annoying that I can't run to the grocery store, or pass SO on his way home while I'm on my way out to get BD from daycare which he drives right past-you know my two favorite things. I have a full work day (WAHM)8:30am everyone is out-I watch a quick 30 min episode of whatever the hell I want-then I work. In peace, not worrying about being ABCD because I scheduled my apts at the end of the month, got all my service plans for the month finished and caught up on my filing.

Man, I kinda wish this happened more often. But I swear-the second I'm mobile on the 15th and my 18 days of peace is over, I'll be back to jetting all over the place for everything because god-forbid someone else pick up those damn groceries.

Comments

notasm3's picture

Submitted by notasm3 on Thu, 06/09/2016 - 10:37pm

I haven't lost my insurance but a few times I've not renewed my tags for MONTHS. All I had to do was show up and say I hadn't driven the car and I just renewed with no problem.

ETA - I did lose my insurance once when I hadn't received the notice. DH got a speeding ticket but the officer didn't press it when I couldn't find my insurance card. I did not know until I got home that I had been cancelled. Of course I was reinstated immediately when I paid. But we really did not have insurance when he got the ticket.

Powerfamily's picture

Submitted by Powerfamily on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 7:42am

Don't shop's do home delivery in the states.

In the UK I do my shopping online and the supermarket deliver it at the agreed 1 hour slot.

So I don't need a car.

mommadukes2015's picture

Submitted by mommadukes2015 on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 3:46pm

I would LOVE if that were an option here. We live in the middle of no where-can't even get a pizza delivered. I hate grocery shopping. Hate hate hate it-but unless I want to live on hot pockets and want to be chicken, it's necessary.

mommadukes2015's picture

Submitted by mommadukes2015 on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 3:52pm

Truth. What really takes up most of my time is transporting BD back and forth to daycare and going grocery shopping. SO drives right by her daycare every day-and up until recently we had 1 car seat. It's a push for him to get to daycare by the time it closes but it's not impossible. I think this should be a regular thing-he on the other had acts like it's some major inconvenience that he has to ensure he's on time for ONCE. I told him last night-you know what's a pain in the butt for me? Passing you on your way home when I'm on my way out there-which I pointed out to him means two things- A.) if I pass him 15 minutes before she needs to be picked up-that means he had time to get her before daycare closes B.) since this was happening regularly-prior to my immobilness, it's not that much of a push to get there on time.

Maxwell09's picture

Submitted by Maxwell09 on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 10:29am

Me and DH downgraded to one vehicle about two years ago and it's been great. It keeps us home more and spending less money in a lot of ways.

mommadukes2015's picture

Submitted by mommadukes2015 on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 3:56pm

We had 1 vehicle up until October of last year. We also had 2 40 hour/week jobs-my job is very travel intensive. It was the worst 9 months of my life. I wish we could cut out a car payment/insurance payment but I've lived that already and with both of us working as much as we do it turns into a major headache for whoever needs the car.

But that is great that it's working for you Smile you save a lot more than just money doing that. Plus it's nice to have a travel buddy.

Cover1W's picture

Submitted by Cover1W on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 11:14am

I was without a car for a year after my divorce.
I had an apartment that was in a great location, could walk/bike/bus where I needed to go. I also had a ZipCar membership or took a taxi now and then if I needed to.
Was in really, really good shape. Cars make us lazy. Unfortunately I have one now since we live in a semi-rural area (we could not afford to get a place big enough for a "family" of four nearer the city). It's a bummer but I try to use it sparingly.

And just because I have a car does not mean I give just anyone a ride whenever they want. DP knows he has to plan it out and ask me, never assume. Because I have the ability to just drive by.

mommadukes2015's picture

Submitted by mommadukes2015 on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 3:54pm

We live in a semi-rural area as well. For me, it's a matter of "I'm out to town I might as well pick up A B C D and do E F G.

In addition to anything BD related falling in my lap. But now I know how great change can be:)