Guest post from Allie
My husband and I have been married for almost four years, and have been a one-car family the whole time. Our surprising secret to making this work?
A Scooter!
I drive the car, he takes the scooter. We have figured that our trusty little Moped saves us at least $1,000 a year. How so?
Upfront Costs
It was cheaper for us to buy a Moped (a nice, used one with cash) than to pay for a year of auto insurance on a car. Combine that with the fact that a Moped is obviously much less expensive to buy than a car and you have significant savings.
Gas
My husband fills up the gallon tank once a week for whatever the price of a gallon of a gas is that week. His scooter gets 70 miles per gallon!
Auto Insurance
Our insurance for a scooter is significantly less than a car.
Maintenance Costs
The scooter requires little maintenance, and if there is a repair to be done, my husband can usually do it himself.
Overall, having a Moped and car has been a huge blessing for us. We are on a tight budget, and the extra wiggle room has been wonderful.
If you are wondering if you should forgo a second car and get a Moped, here are some things you should think through:
What’s the weather like?
We live near Denver, where it is pretty mild all year long. My husband can use his scooter even during most winter days because it doesn’t snow all that much. Even when it does snow, it clears within one or two days. As long as the roads are clear and you don’t mind the cold, you can even make it work even in winter.
Where do you need to go?
My husband has a 3-mile radius to his life–home, work/grad school, church, and various spots around our little town. His routes require no major roads or high speeds, so he can safely get everywhere he needs to go during the typical workday. (FYI: A moped can go up to about 40 miles per hour.)
What’s your back-up plan?
On the days where my husband can’t take his scooter due to snow/ice/rain, we need a back-up plan. Since we live about two miles from school/work, I either drop him off before I head to work, or he can hitch a ride with friends.
Having a scooter has certainly been a unique way for us to save money, and though it is not always the most convenient option, the savings are more than worth it!
P.S. Check with your state for laws about scooter use. In our state, a helmet and eye protection is required and it is only for one rider.
Allie is a wife to Tim and brand new momma to baby Hudson. She works part-time and spends the rest of her time home with the babe, volunteering at church and enjoying life in Colorado!
A testimony from Krysten
