Let's do some math. Wait! Don’t hit the back button. How about we do the math for you?
Gas is about $2.40/gallon right now. Let’s assume you work about five miles from home.
Your compact car gets maybe 30 miles/gallon.
SO, you drive about 200 miles just to and from work every month and spend about $16 on gas. And that’s not the only place you go is it? Tack on another 200 miles for errands and entertainment.
That is $384 per year on gas alone.
Now let's factor in some maintenance.
Assuming you treat your car to an oil change every three months (like you are supposed to) you spend roughly $120 per year on that too.
And the law says you need insurance. A simple liability policy will set you back about $200 per year.
Plus there’s registration fees and licensing. Another $50 you can kiss goodbye.
Add $370 to that yearly cost.
You got that car for free right? No? Well then add in your car payment.
A $300 car payment PER MONTH.
There is also that fine print stuff like depreciation, taxes, interest, etc. You also may need some repairs in there and perhaps you pay to park it. Better add on another
$210 a month for that.
Now, assuming that gas doesn’t go up any more (yeah, right!), you only have to spend
$6794 a year to:
- increase your chance of developing heart disease
- pollute the environment,
- endanger small children
- support urban sprawl.
Not exactly priceless, huh?
