So when do I start saving money ?

[Tynan]

dunno but travel cards alone sure add up quick, and then all those beers after work not drunk

best of all though is the excercise and enjoying the commute and being fit

I think we all forget how utterly crap commuting on public transport, in London at least, was

I've got at least a week of it coming up, angiogram on Monday, yay

 

[Kestevan]

I originaly bought a bike and started the commute when the missus was pregnant, and off work (we work at the same place), it meant she could have the car, and I didnt have to endure the ridiculous journey time/cost of public transport.

Trouble is, now she's back at work we pay for her to drive in to work, and me to cycle. Worst of both worlds with regards to cost (and I get some very odd looks when it's raining).

 

[hackbike 666]

I just get odd looks,HTH.

 

[skrx]

An annual travelcard would have cost me £630 (since I don't go into Zone 1). I spent about £400 on a bike, then another £300 (somehow!) on associated stuff - lights, locks, insurance, accessories, LCC membership, oil, tools, etc. I was spending about £7.20/week (two return trips) on going into Zone 1, and I'm mostly doing that by bike now, or occasionally bike-train-bike (still cheaper and quicker than tube all the way).

I should be about £30 in credit at the end of this year, and I'll have a 1 year old bike too!

I think we all forget how utterly crap commuting on public transport, in London at least, was

A lot better than anywhere else in the UK ;-) yet we still complain about it all the time!

 

[Cranky]

However much I spend on bikes and clothing/accessories, it's never as much as the real costs of keeping the car - which I sold three years ago - on the road. So, savings all the way in that situation.

 

[fossyant]

Ahem........Just spent on new MTB tyres, tubes and a Workstand...... oops - bargains though honest !

 

[johnr]

There used to be (perhaps still is) a guy on another forum who used the strap line: 'gave up smoking, saved loads of money; started cycling, spent it all'. Sums it all up for me.

The only thing I can think to add which might help keep the domestic accountant at bay is that I think I spend a lot less on 'ordinary' clothes since starting cycling. I commute by bike so don't buy overcoats and raincoats any more, and seem to use less clothes for work and they don't need replacing as often...

Works when she's in a good mood.

 

[Downward]

Spent about £700 so far It'll be about £900 once bike is paid for , Saved about £300 in Car Running costs.

Should start breaking even by end of year if i don't buy anything else !!

 

[MacB]

I'm now factoring in the fact that I don't have to pay for a gym membership. Even though I didn't have one and wasn't going to get one. Still haven't managed to sell Jane on this idea yet.

Adding together e-bay sales of golf kit and fare savings, since January 09, that comes to £1200. I've also 'agreed' to take a year, or 2, off from my golf club membership. So my savings are currently running at £250 per month, golf subs and fares/petrol. At this rate I've got another 2K, or 8 months, to reach my break even point. Unfortunately I've already got a further spend commit of about £900 over the next couple of months(though do have lots more gear to sell on e-bay). I've also got to start getting some Summer weight tops and some more bib shorts. Then there's the Garmin GPS gadget that a cruel Aperitif will be forcing me to buy, just coz he'll show me his.(I am seriously weak minded when it comes to gadgets)

Realistically I think my break even is going to move from Dec09 to Dec10. But Jane is keen on the cycling, despite breaking her leg. In a 'classic' move we'll invest in a fully fitted, all singing/dancing, bike for her. Once you entice your partner into your habit costs become less of an issue.

 

[postman]

Save money.Who started that myth?

Have you seen the price of a large latte.?

You cannot put a price on cycling enjoyment.

 

[HJ]

Save money but have spent over £700 in the last year and as SWMBO keeps pointing out the bike only cost £620 (and that was five years ago)...