In an effort to save on gas and therefore the gas money portion of the monthly budget, I started parking in the first space by the entrance. I do this for three reasons actually.
First, because they would tow my car if I parked on the side of the road before I entered the parking lot. Second, because that space is .125 miles from the good spot that I can usually get because I go in early in the morning. Third, it gets me an extra quarter of a mile walking distance a day to keep me in shape.
That 1/8th of a mile doesn't seem like much, but it is a quater mile per day or 1.25 per week times the 50 weeks that I work is 62.5 miles per year, which translates into ~$2.50 in gas per year. But wait there's more! I also save 62.5 miles per year on each of my tires meaning that I am extending the life of each tire by 2 weeks! I am also giving myself approximately two minutes longer before the change oil light goes on.
As if this were not enough, I get an extra two minutes of time each day as I walk that extra distance on the asphalt to reflect and get into a deep sense of calming 'me' time. This translates into time and money saved by not having to see a psychiatrist. Of course I have to fight the urge to get a recordable mp3 player so that I can record my thoughts as I walk alone, beyond the vehicles belonging to the rest of my collegues, who wasted gas, tire life, and reflective thoughts by parking close to the door.
Parking in the farthest space from the door.
March 9th, 2006 at 02:57 am
March 9th, 2006 at 04:19 am 1141877946
I decided long ago that I wasn't going to waste gas looking for the best parking space (unless it is 100+F then you better believe I am looking for shade). It really does help, I think, it isn't much more exercise, but any exercise is better than none.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:54 pm 1141944898
Good luck on your financial journey.
MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING: "But it's reasonably close to oxygen!"
—Zig Ziglar
March 13th, 2006 at 11:18 am 1142248718
I also get home 10 seconds sooner every day