Case Study: Life of a One-Car Family
What is it like to be a single-car family in Memphis, TN? While owning only one car may not be the most convenient way of living, it certainly saves on gas and maintenance expenses. Success entirely depends on the work schedules and daily flow of your family – but it is possible! Curious? Take a look at this case study that illustrates how life with one car can work:
The players:
Seth - Husband, father, bartender, and frequent user of city transportation
Sabrina - Wife, mother, business owner, the main driver of the one-family car
Sadie - 2-year-old daughter, student, busybody
Sabrina and Seth tend to have opposite schedules due to their work. Sabrina works during the day while Seth works days and plenty of evenings, too. Daughter Sadie has a very busy schedule of Parents’ Day Out (PDO), family time, and many other daily activities typical of a two-year-old.
With their varied schedules, the family has worked out a system with just one car and the assistance of public transit. Sabrina needs the car throughout the week as she travels back and forth across the city as a busy business owner. She is able to take Seth to work some days and when his shift is over, he takes the local bus route from East Memphis back to the Midtown area where they live. On the days Sabrina cannot take Seth to work, he rides the bus both ways.
Occasionally, Seth will take the car to work, and Sabrina will carpool with a fellow co-worker to her daily meetings. On days when Sabrina doesn’t walk Sadie to their local PDO, she asks a family member or babysitter to help with Sadie’s fluctuating schedule. She also takes advantage of nearby coffee shops, where she can walk to meet with clients, colleagues, or co-workers, plusr work in a fun and caffeine-fueled environment.
Conventional? Not really. Does it work? Yes, it does! With the help of public transit, walking, and carpooling, this family of three makes owning one car not only feasible but fun. Sabrina gets extra time to catch up with co-workers during carpool time, Seth enjoys reading on the bus, and Sadie gets to spend time with Mommy as they stroll to PDO.
Depending on your day-to-day schedule and needs, you can make it work too!
Check the local bus and trolley routes to see what works for you. And while we are at it, might we suggest carpooling with your co-workers or finding a group of parents to share the school runs? You never know what great friendships will form and you’re saving gas, too. A win-win for all!