Cutting Back

While it's inevitable that our current economy will get worse before it gets any better, I've now surpassed the small monetary life changes and have moved on to defcon 4 by making some drastic decisions (sorry to be all "doom and gloom." That's really not who I am, so I'll try to keep things as light as possible).

I decided about a day ago to park my truck and make my 60 mile daily commute into and out of Buckhead via the Xpress shuttle and MARTA. It just makes good sense. The pick up/drop off is near my house and this will save me a ton on gas and wear-and-tear on my vehicle.

I thought about starting a new blog called "B**** I Ride A MARTA Train," but unless you've seen the viral video of the girl going off on that poor old lady, or heard the gawd awful (but funny) rap song, you probably wouldn't get the humor in the title.

I'm on the Xpress bus now and it is very nice - plush comfortable seats, clean, nice smell. A few people are chatting, but most are sleeping as the sun starts to rise. It's almost like I'm on a cool class trip where the school went all out and chartered the nice bus... Except I don't know anyone on board. It's just me and my iPhone, or my "girlfriend" as my wife refers to her...uh... I meant it.

I had a little anxiety about this morning that dates back to the fall of 1979 when I got on the wrong bus for the first day of first grade. I can still remember my mom and aunt running behind the bus and then running back to the car to come pick me up at the elementary school down the street. They took me to school that morning, but it didn't take me long to find Mrs. Watkins' #34 bus that afternoon.

The ride in wasn't bad at all! I got to the Arts Center MARTA station by 8:15. The north bound rail arrived very quickly and I made it to the Buckhead station by 8:25! My building is conveniently located next to the MARTA station, so I didn't have to spend too much time in the cold.

I did the math on this. It will cost $23.75 per week for this commute. I spend close to 2-3 times that on gas every week. It may cost even less if I purchase a MARTA and Xpress package.

Save money on gas: check! Now I need to figure out some other ways to cut corners. I now have a great Craigs List app on my iPhone. I guess I could start selling everything in my garage. Be watching as I have some pretty cool stuff in my garage. I'll post links here!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]