How to Live Well Without Owning a Car: Save Money, Breathe Easier, and Get More Mileage Out of Life (Paperback)

~ (Author) "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..." (more)
Key Phrases: bicycle commuting, car sharing, triple redundancy, San Francisco, United States, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Between rising gas prices, endless car payments, and countless hours spent in gridlocked traffic, do you ever get the feeling that you don’t own your car, but rather your car owns you? Car-free convert Chris Balish shows why kicking car dependency could be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make, and provides realistic strategies for making the leap. From saving money to building a better world, even diehard autoholics will find hundreds of reasons to set out on the (car-free) road less traveled.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580087574
• ISBN-13: 978-1580087575
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,786 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you do the math, it is amazing! , September 3, 2006

By	K. Corn "reviewer" (Indianapolis,, IN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

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.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for the converted, October 17, 2006

By	D. M. Kerwin (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book impacted me in a big way, August 16, 2006

By	Candice M. Kelsey (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

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.