Show Exxon Who's Boss!

My experiences have led me to believe that we "need" much less than we think we do. Furthermore I believe that one of the greatest needs of 21st-century North Americans is a simplification of life. We have too much "stuff," want more "stuff," work more to get more "stuff," have less time to use our "stuff" as well as do things that really matter with people who are beings that really matter, have more "stuff" to worry about and maintain, and less have less energy to do all of it! I would love to see if you prove me right by your reaction to what I just said and what follows. :-P

The book by Chris Balish nudges us in the right direction. His book, How to Live Well Without Owning a Car: Save Money, Breathe Easier, and Get More Mileage Out of Life was the subject of a great Morning Edition NPR story this morning. Listen to it here.

The publisher notes:

Between rising gas prices, endless car payments, and countless hours spent in gridlocked traffic, do you ever get the feeling that you don’t own your car, but rather your car owns you? Car-free convert Chris Balish shows why kicking car dependency could be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make, and provides realistic strategies for making the leap. From saving money to building a better world, even diehard autoholics will find hundreds of reasons to set out on the (car-free) road less traveled.

• The first practical, accessible, and sensible guide to living in North America without owning a car.
• Exposes the true costs of car ownership and shows how getting rid of your car can simplify your life and put you on the road to financial freedom.
• Packed with realistic, economical alternatives to owning a car, including chapters on carsharing, carpooling, and even car-free dating.
• Includes more than 100 real-world tips, strategies, and success stories from people who are happily car-free or "car-lite," from cities to suburbs.
• According to a 2004 American Automobile Association study, the average American spends $8,410 per year (roughly $700 per month) to own a vehicle.