Mature Life Features

This is for those of you who are members of a household with two or more cars.

You can gift yourself more than $9,000 a year, because that’s the average cost of auto

ownership, according to an American Automobile Association report.

As a neighbor commented, “That buys a whole lotta cab rides.”

Your car payments, interest on those payments, insurance, maintenance, gasoline, tires,

repairs, parking, license, depreciation and other auto-allied costs may not amount to that. Maybe

they’re more than that.

Doing a bit of arithmetic should be enlightening.

If you still have a job, check out the public transit-system service to and from the work site. Most urbanites live within half a mile — about a 10-minute walk — of a bus, trolley, or subway stop.

Public transit in most cities is likely faster than motorists’ commute time during rush hours

getting to and from work.

If you think it’s too far to walk to nearest transit stop, get a bicycle. Most transportation systems are equipped to allow bikes on board or on racks. And most stations have facilities for locking bikes.

If this is unworkable, see if carpooling is an option. If you go to a gymnasium regularly or to a particular restaurant or hangout or to regular service-club luncheons, check with those around you for rides. When all else fails, take a cab.

Remember, too, that you still have a car in the family. You’re only selling one, yours or your spouse’s.

If you’re no longer tied to an office or other workplace, the problem is much simpler.

Think about when you need a car and where you need to get to. You can take public transit to

sports events or for doctor or dentist appointments. Cabs are at the ready and your other

family car is your backup.

You’ll still use this vehicle to get groceries, visit relatives and go on motoring vacations.

The money you save can be used to pay off credit-card debt or to buy yourself goodies

you’ve always wanted. And you don’t have to do all the driving.