Managing with one car
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36452
Printed Date: 19 May 2025 at 6:17pm
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Topic: Managing with one car
Posted By: snugglebug
Subject: Managing with one car
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 10:13am
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For about the last 2 years my DH has had a company car which we have really really come to rely on. We have a car of our own which I use when I need to but mainly we just go in his car.
He's moving to another role within his company that doesn't require a car so he's most likely going to lose it now, so he will be using our other car every day. We have a baby due in December and now I'm really worried that I'm going to become quite isolated at home without a car to get around during the days. My Mum lives around the corner and is home so she'll help me with things I'm sure, but I had hoped to get out and about and meet new Mums etc and just get out of the house sometimes. There are places I can walk nearby and I can get on the bus so that's something. But I guess what I was wondering is does anyone else out there manage with one car and a baby/kids? How do you make it work for you? We're not really in a position to get another car anytime soon so I do have to get my head around how to make it work Thanks :) ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 10:31am
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we have only ever had one car and we have 2 kids. its never occured to us to get another one and we've never needed it. DH has a motorbike now but before then he used to just catch the train to work and back. anything else we do together as a family and take the kids with us or only one person goes out when the other looks after the kids. its really really easy so i wouldnt worry too much. you'll get used to it quick.
could he not leave you with the car since you have the kids and catch a train/bus to work? ------------- 
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 10:51am
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I was going to suggest that too, he takes public transport to work and you have the car. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: happymum21
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 10:59am
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Agree with Monikah and clover.
When my daughter was a baby I wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks so I had no option but to walk everywhere. I had no family close by either and had moved to a new city whilst preggers so didn't know any friends locally. The closest shops were a 2km walk away which was fine and it meant we had to get out of the house and baby's generally sleep well in prams so am sure you will manage. And yep could you have days where some days you have car and some days he catches public transport? Save your money, having two cars when you don't really need it is crazy! ------------- Becs |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 12:07pm
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We only have one car, but DF just works across the road so it's not a problem... when we were still in town he use to bike and leave me with the car... seemed a waste for him to take it cos it would just sit there all day anyway and I'd be stuck at home... very occasionally I'd drop him off as well... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 12:13pm
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The problem is he works in South Auckland and we live on the Shore so public transport would involve about 3 busses so not really an option otherwise we would do that :( if I were to drop him off I'd have to try and get a baby organised early in the morning and again in the afternoon for rush hour traffic and it just wouldn't work.
So we really have no choice in that regard. He might look to find a new job closer to home in the new year which would help a lot, but we don't want to do that yet as he needs leave for when the baby comes ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 12:40pm
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Where abouts in South Auck does he work? Does he work 9-5 or there abouts as you may find it takes less time and costs less taking public transport too. Depending where you go south there is trains that go frequently and they are alot quicker then a bus and a car! It takes 9mins to get to meadowbank train station where I used to live in rush hour where as it takes 15-30mins. 20mins to GI where as thats about 30min-40mins. The further you go the more the time difference iygwim.
Also the shore now has the bus lanes on the motorway. I really do think it would be worth you guys investigating properly I wish I knew to catch the train to and from work when I lived in Meadowbank as it was only $2.30 and 9mins away. It would take me an hour+ to drive to work in the morning stupid when you think about it. I used to catch public transport alot when I had no car pre kids. Also don't go by how much just one trip for that stage costs as you can normally get month passes etc. Otherwise you will find walking alot will be what you'll be doing. Being due in the warmer months won't be too bad either as you'll have nice sunny days to do things. You'll need to plan grocery shopping when DH is home so go in the weekend, even better leave DH with the baby so that you get some sanity time away from him. If you find things close to home do do with baby then you'll probably find you won't need the car as much as you think. The only annoying thing is you won't be able to just pop to the supermarket to pick some milk up etc. Oh if your going to be walking alot then I suggest that you invest in a good buggy with good wheels ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 1:16pm
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He works in East Tamaki so maybe he could get a bus to the city then a train to south? I'll check it out on the Maxx website to see if it's viable. I just assumed it would take too long as he is going to be working about 7:30 to 5. Even if he could do that one day a week and give me a day with the car that might be good. I will definitely investigate that, thanks.
Luckily from home I can walk to the beach which will be nice with baby, and I have got some shops up the road so I can go to the dairy if I need something small. Or get a bus easily to the supermarket or other local shops if I had to but yeah that's a good idea about shopping on my own and leaving DH with the baby. Im sure my Mum will help with further away things. I'm sure it'll be ok it's just come as a bit of a shock and was not expecting it at all so close to the baby coming. Im sure it'll be fine. Unfortunately it doesn't save us money though as I was spending $20 a week on petrol now we'll be spending $110 a week if he does drive every day, due to having a 2L car. So that's another blow on one income with baby coming. Ah well, you do what you have to do ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 1:25pm
Looks like 3 busses and a train and a 2 hr journey so maybe not hehe  ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 2:03pm
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We have got 2 cars, but for the past couple of days I have been carless at home as one of the cars broke down and TBH I hated it. I live really close to the mall so was able to walk there, but for some reason just felt really isolated without a car. Its normally my lifesaver if the day is turning to custard to go for a ride in the car to either visit someone (even if it just my mum at work) or go to a park for E to have a run around. ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: MrsH23
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 2:34pm
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We don't have a car at all at the moment, in NZ we had one but DH took that to work, we lived rurally so if I needed to go out I'd ask Mum to take me. We are managing without one here too, we are 2km from the shops so I walk up there for any little bits that we need and do a bigger grocery shop online. I'm lucky that the buses go past the end of my street so I don't have to walk far if I need the bus, and we can borrow SIL's car on the weekends if we need to.
I actually don't mind that we don't have a car now, but it's a pain when DH gets me to drop him at work cause I have to get up at 5.30am to do it (luckily I can leave DS at home cause SIL is here), he normally rides a bike. Not having a car is a good way to get lots of exercise and fresh air, especially when the weather is nice. ------------- Lisa mummy to Ryan http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 2:51pm
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We have a car, but do our best not to use it - DH bikes to work and I'll only really take it out once a week (usually on a Thursday, since I have coffee group then). I find that you'd be surprised what's in walking distance once you start walking, and I find it a huge amount easier to pop DS in the stroller and go for a walk than get him in the car seat, take it out at the shops, etc. Also, after being inside most of the day with him, I really really enjoy a chance to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. So it might not be too bad at all. -------------   
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 2:53pm
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How easy do you find it to get baby on the bus in a pram? What age would I think about doing that?
Yeah it will definitely get me out walking a lot and help to lose the baby weight so that's gota be a blessing in disguise. ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 4:02pm
If you aren't going to be carrying lots of stuff home (which is where the buggy would come in handy) what about baby wearing on the bus? I do all my shopping with DD in the manduca or moby cos it's so much easier than hauling a pram around  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsH23
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 5:49pm
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If I take the MB on the bus I make sure everything is in a backpack so I can wear that while I'm waiting and pack the pram up when the bus arrives (takes 2 seconds) and carry DS on, but that may not work so well with a NB. Other times I just use the Manduca, it is much easier, but I hate having to carry a backpack as well if we're spending most of the day out. ------------- Lisa mummy to Ryan http://www.alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 6:05pm
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Definitely interested in getting something to wear baby but so lost as to what, Im going to do some more research! That could make the bus easier.
I think I probably won't take baby on the bus by myself till he's about 3 months cos over xmas break DH will be at home and so it won't be such an issue at that time. I have a good pram so it will be good to get some use out of it sometimes. Hopefully I get nice bus drivers hehe Thanks for all the ideas, has made me feel a lot better about this ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 6:56pm
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my husband used to take the car to work and i was at home without it... one day a week or if i needed the car i would take him to work and pick him up at the end of the day... now i have the car all the time and he catches the train. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: nathansmummy
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 8:42pm
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I drop him off at work and use the car during the day. But he works shift work so sometimes it wasn't possible - ie finishing at 9pm at night for instance! It was a juggle and created a lot of extra stress and arguing because I wanted to get out of the house more often.
It's true that I couldn't just jump in the car and go wherever I pleased whenever I wanted. And I didn't like taking public transport with a tiny little baby - I'd be more inclined to do it now with a 1yo but stowing a buggy in a bus is no fun. There are a lot of things within walking distance of me: shops, movies, playgroup, playcentre and a local coffee group. So if you make the effort to walk it's fine - if it's raining and you don't like to walk in the rain, that's a problem. Now that I have my car back again, my life is so much better and made a huge difference. So it's something to consider. ETA: If he takes public transport that would make a world of difference. You will use the car all day while his will be stuck in a carpark! Such a waste! Have you considered moving closer to where he works? |
Posted By: febbabe
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 8:54pm
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We only had one car for the first few months, actually maybe 8 months! after I had our daughter. It was fine. I got really used to walking to coffee group, music groups etc. It was a bummer some days when it was raining and I wanted to get out but I survived. Girls in my coffee group were great actually and used to pick us up if it was raining on a catch up day(easy with a capsule)
I used to do big shops in the weekends and pick up things if needed while I was out walking. It was great exercise too 
I work now too so 2 cars necessary but the days I'm not working I try not to use the car at all Edited to say I caught the bus lots too. Found it easy with a pram as we lived on a good bus route and all the buses had a wheelchair area. |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 9:25pm
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We only have one car and I bus and walk everywhere. Even in the rain which isn't always fun but if need be I *can* usually get a lift with family that are near by.
Re busing; first time I bused with DD she was almost 5 months old and we used the front pack the first couple of times, then I took my P&T and depending on the bus depended on how well/easy our journey was. Sometimes you get nice people and drivers who help, other times you don't! It can be a hassle with more than one buggy on there though! I resorted to getting a smaller stroller (6 months +) for the bus ride and often use that if I'm in a hurry and need to bus and it's a nice day, if it rains or I walk I take me P&T. I suggest for coffee groups, other than OB - The Pluket PIN groups - it'll be in your neighbourhood/nearby so walking distance usually. I also have been offered ride by people in our Plunket/SPACE/Coffee groups, was easy with the capsule (first 6 months) but now she's in a carseat it is harder unless they have 2 carseats... Or have installed their carseat and baby is still in a capsule! We also do big shop on the weekend and I get any little things I can during the week on outings. It's actually great to be able to walk places, you save $$, and even the buses down here are fairly cheap so that's a bonus but it's great to have the fresh air and exercise and feel like you've accomplished something for the day plus I know my DD enjoys looking at everything along the way! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 9:28pm
Actually are you able to catch the train anywhere? The train - I have found much easier to get around on! And down here it's cheaper than the bus - however they have a 'no bike' sign on the train and I often find the drivers and other train workers (mind blank on their job title) to ask a lot of questions quite rudely to people with buggies e.g Which stop are you getting off at... etc almost like they don't want you there  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 01 November 2010 at 7:41am
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Thanks for all your feedback.
We have moved to the Shore to be closer to family and so I don't think that we would move closer to DH's work, as I really need my Mum's help. LilNic unfortunately there's no trains on the Shore (Auckland) where I live only in the city. Re: public transport, with 3 busses and a train and a 2 hour journey that would only take an hour or less by car, I don't think public transport is gona work for us. DH is considering finding a job closer to home though which would make this whole situation a lot easier, but we will wait till the new year for that. Definitely agree that walking will get me out and about and that baby will probably enjoy it. I can walk to my parents house, to the beach, to the dairy, hairdresser, etc and local shops are one stage away on the bus. I think I can find a doctor close by. The rest I think I'll have to get help for. Thanks for the advice re: coffee group because I really don't want to miss out on that because I have no car. Plunket is really nearby to home as is playcentre so hoping I can still participate in something from those places. We have talked about it a lot in the last few days and I think we will do our groceries together on the weekend, and I'll just pick up little things during the week on my outings like you say. The rest of the time Ill just have to make a big effort to get out and about and walk, and use Mum for help when needed. Im really encouraged to hear a lot of you say you manage it quite well. Im sure it'll have times where it will really suck and I'll get frustrated but for the most part it sounds like it's gona be ok :) ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: happymum21
Date Posted: 01 November 2010 at 9:12am
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The other thing is don't be afraid to use taxis for those times where you really really have no other option. People often don't like to because of the cost but when you compare the odd taxi ride to the cost of simply having a car sitting in your garage, it is much much more economical. And so long as you don't do it every time you go out, it is actually cost effective compared with having a 2nd car. ------------- Becs |
Posted By: yermasyada
Date Posted: 01 November 2010 at 3:55pm
Neither of us can drive, so obviously don't have a car and we survive quite easily 
My one tip is to familarise yourself with all the public transport options and never trust the Maxx webiste. It's utter garbage and usually wrong! Let me know if I can help.... I live on the shore also
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 02 November 2010 at 4:27pm
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dont forget the ferry when factoring the morning commute... maybe you could drive him to town sometimes so he could train from there.... ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 02 November 2010 at 4:30pm
its easier to just put them in the car in their pj's (clean nappy tho) then go home and do what you need to go out. when mine got a bit older i would give them a cup of something to drink or a piece of toast if they were cranky. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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LittleN wrote:Posted By: weeheebaby
Date Posted: 02 November 2010 at 4:48pm
nah, they're not being rude, they just want to make sure that you get off safely at the right stop, so they make sure they stop long enough for you to get off. Usually you'll find they come back to help you get the buggy off ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 02 November 2010 at 8:52pm
Nope, no help was offered and it wasn't asked in a nice way! But I normally don't catch the train so no biggy really! But thanks ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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