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.
Are you a finance, investing, economics or accounting professional? Find books, read blog posts, and discover new authors and thought-leaders in Money & Markets, a new home for finance industry professionals on Amazon.com. > Shop now |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
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.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 55 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.
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By D. M. Kerwin
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful moving towards a car free life
We are closer than ever to taking the plunge and living car free. He has some great thoughts and suggestions. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Alexandra S. Evans
1.0 out of 5 stars
Useless
This book was useless. Filled with half truths. I didn't find any practical solutions.
This is coming from someone looking to use my vehicle less. Read more
This is coming from someone looking to use my vehicle less. Read more
Published 10 days ago by D. Dunn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't need convincing
The first 57 pages of this book is all about convincing someone that going car-free or car-lite is worth it. Read more
Published 20 days ago by matt from philly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Had the information
My daughter wanted to live without a car for awhile and I thought this
book would help her. It did and she did live for many months without
one. It shipped quickly.
book would help her. It did and she did live for many months without
one. It shipped quickly.
Published 21 days ago by Donald James
4.0 out of 5 stars
great book
I am only on chapter 5 and i cant put it down. It has opened my eyes up even more to not owning a car anymore. i was spending about $800 a month on my Jeep wrangler.
Published 5 months ago by Steve munson
3.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant book for a restricted audience
Chris Balish makes a number of very good points in this book, the primary one being that if you REALLY want to do something to reduce pollution, wastefulness, and resource... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dr. P. M. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you need the push to sell your car...
This book is a little repetitive BUT I think if you've ever considered going car-free or car-light it's got a lot of tips and motivation on how-to. Read more
Published 11 months ago by E.M.C.
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 20 months ago by Melissa Jane
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 22 months ago by Brian Sun
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 23 months ago by Love Suci
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
