Saving money in the great 21st century recession.

[ChrisKH]

I save £4.50 a day parking and don't have to run a second car so it's quite a saving. My season ticket (train) is still about £2,600 -£2,700 pa and a lot of my savings go in new bike bits I'm afraid.

 

[Bodhbh]

Started about 10months back and so far very much in the red with splurging on 1 bike and 2 'projects', tools as required, winter clothes, lighting, panniers, repairs, first transmission changes etc. However, I think that's more or less come to an end, the first bike will go eBay now I know what type of riding I like, one bike is a hack bike and have plenty of bits kicking about to keep it running, so hopefully it should pay for itself now...

 

[Brahan]

The hot water in the showers at the office has been connected. Wahey. At the expense of the cold water. Boo.

They now see me as high maintenence because I want a warm shower rather than a scorching hot one.

I'll fix it myself if I have to.

**can anyone tell me how please**

 

[Downward]

The hot water in the showers at the office has been connected. Wahey. At the expense of the cold water. Boo.

They now see me as high maintenence because I want a warm shower rather than a scorching hot one.

I'll fix it myself if I have to.

**can anyone tell me how please**

It depends what shower it is - Are there 2 pipes going into it ?

 

[Stig-OT-Dump]

I save £4/day by not taking the train. After servicing, new cassette, chain, calipers etc I am currently c. £40 out of pocket since the start of January. Most of the damage was done by salt on the roads before christmas and the 2000 miles + since the last service so those costs have been accrued over a lot longer period than I've been counting. In 2 weeks time I'll be in credit.

 

[In trouble]

Comute by car for the year (37 mile round trip) costs me £1440.

Commute by Bike cost me £600 (BTWS) or £45 a month until Aug, when its paid, then only spares or repairs.

Average cost of service MOT and repairs for my car is approx £500 to £800 a year.

Cost of service for the bike = not sure, but no-where near the above amount.

Total savings = Lots of £

 

[Plax]

Last year I spent more on cycling than I spent on motoring costs. So far this year I have spent more on motoring costs. I suspect that bike will cost me a lot less this year as I've got pretty much all the accessories and clothing I need for the time being. I can't think of anything else to buy!

 

[fossyant]

Last year I spent more on cycling than I spent on motoring costs. So far this year I have spent more on motoring costs. I suspect that bike will cost me a lot less this year as I've got pretty much all the accessories and clothing I need for the time being. I can't think of anything else to buy!

Been there - and I run two cars......... mine ant the better half's....still spent more on my bike stuff (even adding in the new tyres and A/C for my car - £1k).....

Well at least we are a less of a burden on the NHS than the average Joe....you know something's not right when someone starts wheezing walking a few feet....they sound like me when I've just climbed a mahoooosive hill......

 

[shunter]

Saving money was not my objective. Combining something that has to be done - going to work - with getting some exercise and still having free time at night was my reason. I enjoy going to work now because i can choose to go by motorcycle or bicycle. The bit in between I endure because I know there is something to look forward to.

 

[arallsopp]

Commute by train: £12.80 a day, 2 hours out of my life AM, another 2 PM.
Three days a week.

Commute by bike: FREE (who am I kidding, I was gonna buy the recumbent anyway
80 mins in the morning doing the thing I love.
80 mins in the evening doing the thing I love.
2 guilt free snacks.
5 minutes with the wet wipes (ah... if only we had showers).

On the plus side, I do have marvellously scented, baby soft skin all over.

 

[just4fun]

For me there is no economic benefit to cycling to work as im lucky enough to have my travel paid for. In terms of using a bike as alternative means of travel the theory is you should save lots if you live in london as the fares are so expensive, but its like every1 says there is always more 'stuff' you end up buying for the bike.
the cost of me travelling to work would be slightly over £500 so with my current bike the first year would be an investment only. saying that a 1-6 travel card is over 2.5k a year. thats big money but as it stands, im nowhere near fit enough to cycle zone 1-6 in anything resembling the needed time.
I've found that cycling holidays are a good way to save money, a ferry to holland and then just pitch in random campsites for about 8 pounds per night. and the national cycle paths are great there.

 

[Amanda P]

If I drive to work, I have to fill the tank about twice a month, at £40 to £50 a go.

If I don't, I fill it maybe once in two months.

I don't know how much I spend on bike bits (don't keep track), but I do like not spending money at the petrol station.

 

[Night Train]

Cycling doesn't save me any money even though I tend to pick up my bikes from Freecycle. I tend to cycle as an alternative to walking and my work requires a motor vehicle due to the distances and loads I have to carry. I am still tempted to get (make) a decent cycle trailer for work but I don't have enough demand for one yet.

 

[col]

For me there is no economic benefit to cycling to work as im lucky enough to have my travel paid for. In terms of using a bike as alternative means of travel the theory is you should save lots if you live in london as the fares are so expensive, but its like every1 says there is always more 'stuff' you end up buying for the bike.
the cost of me travelling to work would be slightly over £500 so with my current bike the first year would be an investment only. saying that a 1-6 travel card is over 2.5k a year. thats big money but as it stands, im nowhere near fit enough to cycle zone 1-6 in anything resembling the needed time.
I've found that cycling holidays are a good way to save money, a ferry to holland and then just pitch in random campsites for about 8 pounds per night. and the national cycle paths are great there.

£2.500 a year travel card?? thats about £48 a week?
It would be cheaper by car wouldnt it? which seems to defeat the object a bit?

 

[skrx]

£2500 a year travel card?? thats about £48 a week?
It would be cheaper by car wouldnt it? which seems to defeat the object a bit?

It's £1904 for a Zones 1-6 travelcard: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/seasontickets/4805.aspx
Zone 6 is the edge of London, most people would pay less.

That's much less than congestion charge + parking + petrol. It's probably quicker too!