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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Carpooling to Work




The job I work now requires me to be at work 10 minutes before the buses start running in town. I had two options.

1) Buy a bike - I really didn't want to do this. It was too big of an investment for a lower paying job and living on the island gives us very unpredictable weather. Not only that but I had to purchase steel toed shoes before I could even start the job so I really didn't want to purchase another big item for the job. BF offered to buy me a bike but I don't think I would use it very much.

2) Find a carpool - The first day of work BF drove me but since he starts work hours later than me it was pretty ridiculous to expect him to drive me everyday. Also, he bikes to work to save on gas so I really couldn't ask that of him. So I asked my supervisor who suggested asking my work partner since she picked somebody up in my area already.

So within knowing her about 3 hours I asked her if she would like to make some extra gas money by including me in her carpool. She said it would be no problem. I decided to offer her $20 a week (ride to and from work) but she told me $10 would be fine. A week into carpooling the other guy stopped showing for work so when it came time to pay her at the end of the week I offered her $15.

The only thing that messes me up is remembering to have cash each Friday. Last week I forgot until the morning of as usual and had to take cash out of BF's bday fund I have stashed away. I didn't have any fives so I gave her $30 and said it was for this week too because I have a problem getting my hands on cash, lol. That was fine with her so now I don't have to worry about it this week but I think if I'm going to start paying a few weeks at a time I should mark it down.

So next payday I'll have to remember to take out an extra $30 to reimburse the bday fund. I committed to saving $200/mo so I'll have to withdraw $180. It's not so bad. I have made all my financial goals already this month except for paying down more of the student loan but I know I have more than enough to do that so I'm all set!

Carpooling is the way to go! It saves money, gas and its easier on the environment. I'm glad I sucked it up and asked the first day. It's also helped me bond to with my coworker which is great. If you are able to carpool I highly recommend it but make sure the person you are carpooling with is very dependable!!

2 comments:

DINKS said...

Good idea! I'm all for carpooling....as long as the people are cool and like to talk and stuff. i get bored easily, so this is important when i car pool search ;)

good work!

Elisabeth said...

Carpooling seems to be non-existent in the UK... unless I'm missing something!