The Frugal Daytrip: When Ecology Means Economy
Last week, I took a daytrip to Boston to meet with a great new client. It’s a freelance computer programmer’s dream gig: reliable work, little to no project management overhead, coworkers I genuinely like and trust. Plus, I get to telecommute most of the time, with an occasional on-site visit to a city I really like. What could be better?
I’d initially planned to make the trip via car for this first meeting, but then the ecological stupidity of that idea hit me. There’s a perfectly great bus line that runs between Portland, Maine and Boston on a reliable and frequent schedule. I’ve taken that bus enough times to know the strategies for getting a seat to myself. And it’s a pleasant ride – I get to watch a movie, or read, or just stare out the window. Besides, if I have to make the commute, I might as well save some carbon emissions and make the trip with other people!
Also, have any of you readers ever driven in Boston? In rush hour? When I lived in Boston, I almost never drove anywhere, especially not in Southie, where the office is located. I must have been out of my head, planning to drive. So I took the bus, for environmental reasons as well for my personal sanity.
But to keep my frugal self happy, I kept a running tally of the total transportation expense.
Here’s what I could have paid.
If I’d driven from Portland to Alewife Station, which has a parking garage: 112 miles. Using the 2007 IRS mileage rate of 48.5 cents per mile, that’s $54.32. Round-trip, a total cost of $108.64.
Tolls are less of an issue since I have an EZ Pass, but it still would have cost me $8.70 round trip.
Parking at Alewife Station now costs $5/day.
And the MBTA fare, round-trip: $4. This could have been slightly cheaper if I’d planned ahead.
Total potential cost of driving this daytrip: $126.34. I may as well have flown to Boston for that price.
Here’s my actual cost:
Cost of driving to the the bus station, round-trip: $3.30.
Parking at the bus station in Portland: $3
Round-trip busfare on Concord Trailways: $31
(There’s a significant discount for a same-day round trip purchased on the date of travel. Hooray!)
MBTA fare, round-trip: $4
Total round-trip cost for transportation: a measly $41.30.
And the time each way?
With the bus, it’s a 10 minute drive to the station, 2 hours on the bus, 10 minutes on the T, and a 5 minute walk to the office. 2 hours, 55 minutes door to door.
If I had driven, it would have been 2 hours 15 minutes to Alewife Station, 25 minutes on the T, and the same 5 minute walk. 2 hours, 45 minutes door to door. Realistically, that 10 minute difference would have been eaten up easily by Boston rush hour traffic.
So basically, by making the more ecologically sound choice, I saved just over $85. And on the way down, I watched The Queen, with Helen Mirren. I love Helen Mirren. On the way back, I got to take a nice long nap.
Saving the planet, a lot of money, and my own personal sanity? Priceless. Absolutely.
What ecological choices do you make that also save you a few bucks?
Jan: Watching Helen Mirren and saving money… sounds like you can’t go wrong. As she says, “Power is sexy.” Having a lighter footstep by taking the bus is pretty cool too!
My big shift last year was converting to canvas grocery bags… it isn’t much of a money saver and I actually spent money to invest in sturdy canvas bags, but in the long run, it’s priceless compared to all the plastic piling up under my sink.
I love this idea, especially for a business traveler. Someone else doing the driving frees you up to do work on the road if you can. You’re very lucky to live in an area with good commuter services, regional transportation, and municipal transportation. Where I live in FL, it’s hard to get by without a car just in town, and you don’t dare travel within the state without your own. Definitely take advantage!
I take the subway (or bus, or walk) but I live in NYC/Brooklyn so it would be silly to have a car although I do know people who have them.
Joining a CSA is cost-effective as is belonging to our local food co-op. Trying to buy as much clothes used as possible (or resale) at places like Beacon’s Closet, INA, consignment shops is also cost-effective and green. I also tend to shop stoop sales and thrift stores for good condition (mostly like-new) casserole dishes, teapots, dishes, cloth napkins and baking pans as well.
using vinegar and water to clean household surfaces is a great way to save money and resources. also cooking with friends and having enough for leftovers for everyone 🙂