Saving money is about principle sometimes. Let me explain.
For the past two years I’ve taken the bus to work after driving for 7 years prior. The company re moved our free parking benefits and I wasn’t about to pay $350/month to park in a garage just 5 miles away.
I have a love hate relationship with the bus. When it’s raining, and I have to stand outside shivering, I hate it. When the bus skips my stop every so often, I hate it. When the bus driver slams on the brakes a couple feet away from the stop light and we all go flying, I hate it. When the bus is packed like sardines, but there are some very attractive riders I need to squeeze next to, well, I guess it’s OK.
My VIP Pass aka monthly bus pass costs $60, while taking a cab to and from work costs $30. Hence, the cost breakdown is simply $60 for a bus, $350 for parking, and $600 for a cab every month. Out of principle, I wasn’t going to spend 5-10X more on transportation if I could just ride the bus.