You don'¬?t need to own a car to live well in America. In fact, you'¬?d probably be better off without one. In this groundbreaking guide, award-winning journalist Chris Balish exposes the true costs of car ownership and shows how car-free living can put anyone on the path to financial freedom. Using the book'¬?s car cost worksheet, first figure out how much owning a car really costs-you'¬?ll be surprised. Then, see how easy it is to transition to a car-free or car-lite lifestyle using Chris'¬?s strategies for commuting, running errands, taking trips, dating, socializing, and more. You'¬?ll also find hundreds of tips and success stories from car-free people in cities and suburbs across America. Without car payments, rising gas prices, and traffic jams to worry about, you'¬?ll have more money and leisure time to spend as you choose. Discover why getting rid of your car may be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make.ReviewsView a video clip from NBC's Today Show: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25609661/ "Chris Balish offers a mix of the practical-a worksheet to figure out a car's total cost and impact-as well as the horrifying: The average American walks just 300 yards a day."-Sierra Magazine "If ever there was a practical inducement to get out of the car trap, this is it. For the multitude of Americans stuck in traffic and spending thousands of dollars a year on their cars, Chris'¬?s lively and pragmatic step-by-step solutions provide a way out."-Jane Holtz Kay, author of Asphalt Nation"Chris Balish's book can help environmentally conscious Americans live their values. If you're concerned about pollution and global warming, follow the program in these pages. There can be life without a car. And a good life at that!"-Ed Begley, Jr., actor and environmental activist"[Chris Balish's] prescriptions are feasible and most important, reasonable."-San Antonio Express News"Even if living car-free or car-lite isn't for you, you'll still learn a lot from this book. I did."-Michelle Singletary, Washington PostListen to Chris Balish talk about living car-free in Los Angeles on NPR's Morning Edition.
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From the Publisher
• The first practical, accessible, and sensible guide to living in North America without owning a car. • Exposes the true costs of car ownership and shows how getting rid of your car can simplify your life and put you on the road to financial freedom. • Packed with realistic, economical alternatives to owning a car, including chapters on carsharing, carpooling, and even car-free dating. • Includes more than 100 real-world tips, strategies, and success stories from people who are happily car-free or "car-lite," from cities to suburbs. • According to a 2004 American Automobile Association study, the average American spends $8,410 per year (roughly $700 per month) to own a vehicle.
About the Author
Chris Balish is an award-winning feature writer, reporter, and broadcast journalist. He began his writing career working for Writer’s Digest magazine and Writer’s Digest Books. Since 1995 he has been a full-time reporter and television news anchor. Chris is the recipient of nearly thirty awards for excellence in journalism and writing, including six regional Emmy Awards. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. But most important, Chris is passionate about how going car-free improved his life and how it can improve the lives of others. He commutes by bicycle year-round and travels all over on foot, on mass transit, and by carpooling with friends, girlfriends, and coworkers. Chris is single and has a vibrant car-free dating and social life.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
First off, I am NOT car-free. I'll admit that up front. But I would LIKE to be and this book has convinced me that I'd save a TON of money if I were able to reduce or eliminate my dependence on our car.
The author saved about 40K or more in 4 years of living without a car. To say he did not EVER USE a car, however, would not be totally true. He bumped up against reality sometime and had to rent a car on occasion...but mostly he made do by bicycling, walking or using public transportation or taxis.
"Wait", you might say, "Take a taxi? Aren't they expensive?" Not as part of an overall plan that allows one to stop paying for auto insurance, car maintenance, buying a car, etc.
The author makes a convincing argument and I have cut down on my use of our auto as a result, walking as much as possible. I'd do away with it forever if we had reliable public transportation and if our kids weren't involved in activities that were out of the public transportation loop, sometimes out of the city.
But I still have hope of living "car free" and I am aiming for a life where using our car isn't necessary, in a town with good public transportation and mild winters...someday. In the meantime, this book has given me a road map (pun intended) for a simpler, less auto-dependent lifestyle.
The author saved about 40K or more in 4 years of living without a car. To say he did not EVER USE a car, however, would not be totally true. He bumped up against reality sometime and had to rent a car on occasion...but mostly he made do by bicycling, walking or using public transportation or taxis.
"Wait", you might say, "Take a taxi? Aren't they expensive?" Not as part of an overall plan that allows one to stop paying for auto insurance, car maintenance, buying a car, etc.
The author makes a convincing argument and I have cut down on my use of our auto as a result, walking as much as possible. I'd do away with it forever if we had reliable public transportation and if our kids weren't involved in activities that were out of the public transportation loop, sometimes out of the city.
But I still have hope of living "car free" and I am aiming for a life where using our car isn't necessary, in a town with good public transportation and mild winters...someday. In the meantime, this book has given me a road map (pun intended) for a simpler, less auto-dependent lifestyle.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A fine little book, but not for anyone who has already decided to take the step to become carless or car-lite. This book is 10% manual, made up mostly of common sense ideas (never a bad thing), and 90% arguments and statistics meant to convince you to go car free. If you're on the fence about giving up your ride, this is a great read. If you're looking for a book about the experience of being car free or a good instruction manual on doing so, maybe not the way to go. An interesting little read, though.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Before reading this book, I scoffed at the idea of surviving without an automobile. A victim of our "car-as-necessity" culture, I was curious to see HOW someone could actually do it. Balish not only shows you how to do it, but how to DO IT WELL! If you are fed up with shelling out over $800 per month... nagging neck and back pain... being stuck in traffic staring at billboards... BUY THIS BOOK NOW! I'm seriously considering trading in my SUV for a car-free, stress-free life.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Repetative promise, but a good read.
I could tell after the first 3 chapters this author hasn't published much. It's verryyyy repetative with it's promise to SAVE MONEY without a car. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Melissa Jane
The perfect guide to living the car-free life.
Practical, real, and thorough.
I sold my car after I read this book and now I live well without owning a car. This book will teach you to do the same. Read more
I sold my car after I read this book and now I live well without owning a car. This book will teach you to do the same. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Brian Sun
Stop being lazy and walk....
Did you know that Copenhagen, Denmark is one of the healthiest and happiest places in the world? Eighty percent of its citizens ride bikes and walk. Few are fat and unhealthy. Why? Read more
Published 11 months ago by Love Suci
Great book! Really helped me prepare for public transit!
This book really helped me grasp and get prepared to live without a car when I had financial stress and couldn't afford a car for a season. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Anthony Traveis
Interesting read
I just happened to see this book among my Amazon recommendations. It sounded interesting, the reviews by other readers were good, and I needed $7 to get my order up to the free... Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. Ney-Grimm
the government should buy copies to distribute free
Such an important book. Whether you go car-free or not, it is certainly in your interest (and the interest of everyone else, except the car and oil companies) that other people go... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Steve Cheseborough
Driving is the new smoking.
This book is pure gold! The first part is focused on reasons why you should give up your car (there are plenty), so if you're already convinced, there might be nothing new for you... Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. Mattix
Convincing, and somewhat useful.
After reading this book a few years ago, my wife and I went car free and have more time and money and less stress because of it. Read more
Published on October 20, 2009 by Rob L
Great Inspiration
There's nothing earth-shattering in this book. Most of the information is fairly common sense, perhaps 50% you are already conscious of, and the other 50% will make you say,"Oh,... Read more
Published on October 10, 2009 by J. Thomas
Great Book!
This book is fantastic! I read it from cover to cover and I will be putting a lot of his tips into practice. Read more
Published on July 5, 2009 by K. Smith
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
If you currently own or lease a car, truck, or SUV, this book has the power to give you the equivalent of a $5,000 to $10,000 raise. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
bicycle commuting, car sharing, triple redundancy, high gas prices, trial week, transit stop Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
San Francisco, United States, New York, Los Angeles, The Car-Free Way, Sam's Club, Exxon Valdez, Department of Transportation, Home Depot, The Environmental Cost of Cars, Car-Free My Story, Give Up My Car, Kelley Blue Book, The Miracle of Car Sharing, Toyota Sequoia New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
If you currently own or lease a car, truck, or SUV, this book has the power to give you the equivalent of a $5,000 to $10,000 raise. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
bicycle commuting, car sharing, triple redundancy, high gas prices, trial week, transit stop Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
San Francisco, United States, New York, Los Angeles, The Car-Free Way, Sam's Club, Exxon Valdez, Department of Transportation, Home Depot, The Environmental Cost of Cars, Car-Free My Story, Give Up My Car, Kelley Blue Book, The Miracle of Car Sharing, Toyota Sequoia New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 4
books:
- The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street by Robert Hurst on page 128
- The League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling by The League of American Bicyclists on page 128
- Energy and Equity (Ideas in Progress) by Ivan Illich on page 33
- Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well by David L. Hough on page 113
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