degringolade: (Default)
Degringolade ([personal profile] degringolade) wrote in [personal profile] ecosophia 2025-05-16 03:22 pm (UTC)

intersection of frugality and the automobile

I suppose that I am trying to read too much into this simple and insightful weekly feature. But I have noticed a parallel between what I call "the big site" over at ecosophia.net and this weekly escapade of being a tightwad (a moniker that I proudly wear!).

I will be curious about the role of the automobile in both arenas of discussion. I think that reduction/removal of these energy/money/environmental pollutants should be the central focus of any discussion of frugality here in "Murca.

Cars driven by the likes of you and I suck up around 40% of US petroleum, half of them are made in other countries. Best I can figure, they suck up 20% of post tax income for individuals.

I got rid of my minivan after a wreck three years ago (getting your van totaled by a woman falling asleep at the wheel in the freeway does make one question the personal automobile's real value!) and I found that I can easily function at my current income being at around the 30th percentile of income.

I wonder if maybe this might be the biggest and most obvious "frugal" here in 'Murca?


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