ZipCars!

As most of you know, we don't drive a car. We walk/bike to most places. I had a moped I use to get to work when the weather was clear and I worked at the data center, about 12 miles away. But anyway, that is not the point!

ZipCars! It is a company that does community car sharing. Similar to car rentals, but a whole different approach. You pay a sign up fee of $50 and then it is $7/hr or $60/day and it includes gas and insurance and 180 mi. We have used it to go to chicago for weekday concerts(have to come back same day) and for going to pick up Geli's work shoes like 13 miles away.

It is painless and simple! We have a car if we need it, and other people use it when we don't. The closest car to us, which is less than a block away, is a Honda Civic hybrid. Even using it many times a month, it would be less than the cost of owning one. Especially once you factor insurance, gas, maintenance, registration, inspection, etc..

Ideally, it would be great not to drive. And we almost achieve that. But this is a good way to not own a car and still be able to get away every now and then. Truth is that this would even work for many people that have no objections to owning a car, if you need it only occasionally. You have it there when you need it, but no car maintenance, payment, insurance, etc. I know it sounds like a commercial haha but it really is that cool and painless.

Oh! And you get into it with a card, no keys!! How cool is that?!

There I am opening the car with the card! haha

And it is a worldwide program, with cars in London, so maybe we'll rent one while we're out there :) I'll have to learn how to drive on the wrong side of the road!