I live just off a very busy highway that gets busier all the time.  No sign of economic downturn here.  The only time there isn’t much traffic is in the dead of night.  You could practically tap dance on the highway at 4:00 on a Sunday morning, if you were so inclined; but that’s definitely not the normal state of things.

            Traffic jams in towns and cities are the source of a great deal of stress.  It’s no wonder some want to get away to a simpler way of life.  There’s something that’s just not natural about such dependence on cars.  It seems we can’t do anything without needing one.

            A blind friend of mine complains about the high cost of taking a taxi these days.  I keep reminding him that, while the price may seem high on those few occasions he takes a cab, he doesn’t have to pay for car insurance, car payments, gas, tires, etc., etc.  Such expenses are burdensome for any of us.  Can’t we change that somehow?

            Maybe circumstances will force those changes upon us.  For example, what if an electromagnetic pulse knocks out power someday.  It would take out our cars as well, since they’re riddled with computerized equipment.  Then what would we do?  It’s not as if we can hitch up a spare horse and buggy hidden away in the garage.

Shouldn’t we be thinking about alternative transportation now as part of survival preparation?  Some are already doing that.  They’re living without cars altogether, and others are using their cars much less.  More people began riding bikes or motorcycles when gas was so high a few months ago.  That’s a good start.

            Chris Balish has written a book called How to Live Well Without Owning a Car.  Who is he?  According to Amazon.com,  “Chris Balish  is an award-winning feature writer, reporter, and six-time Emmy Award–winning broadcast journalist. He’s been happily car-free in St. Louis, Missouri, for three years, walking, carpooling, making use of mass transit, and commuting on bike.”

Here’s more descriptive info from Amazon about this 216 page paperback.   “Between rising gas prices, endless car payments, and countless hours spent in gridlocked traffic, do you ever get the feeling that you don’t own your car, but rather your car owns you? Car-free convert Chris Balish shows why kicking car dependency could be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make, and provides realistic strategies for making the leap. From saving money to building a better world, even diehard autoholics will find hundreds of reasons to set out on the (car-free) road less traveled.”

Amazon quotes the publisher as saying this book is “The first practical, accessible, and sensible guide to living in North America without owning a car. {This book} 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. {It’s} 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.”

Explore the possibilities of How to Live Well Without Owning a Car.  To get your copy, simply click on the logo below, and you’ll be taken to the Amazon page where you can place your order.