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Things are looking pretty grim for car owners in the United Kingdom these days and it is no surprise that recent surveys reveal that more people than ever are considering, if they have not already done so, that simply dumping the car is the best idea all round. 

The rising price of fuel of course is behind it; who would have thought that drivers would soon be paying over £1.50 for a litre? yet this is the situation in many locations. And if you purchase fuel from a garage in one of those isolated spots then you could be paying even more for the privilege. So, who needs it these days when most of us are battling just to pay the everyday bills and even hang onto the house!

Abandoning the car, even selling it, is not such a crazy idea. Even if you loathe the idea of public transport the cost of catching the bus or train now is far cheaper than running the car. And walking…yep, that costs nothing bar extra wear and tear on your shoes. But consider the benefits - the weightloss, a healthier heart and lower bloodpressure. No more bothering about that annual car insurance quote or paying parking fines and congestion charges.

And if more people take up this option getting a bike and riding it to work would be an even more practical idea seeing as there would be fewer cars on the road with over-stressed drivers to cut you off or knock you down at the lights. Maybe the cyclists can reclaim the routes again!

I actually did such a thing back in Australia some twelve years back and, even though I missed the instant convenience of having a car at first, I soon got into the stride of catching the bus to the shops - no more fighting for car parking spaces which was a boon during the very hot Xmas period. And rediscovering my legs through walking the short distances I would have previously driven - I don’t know why I ever bothered with the car. The family got used to it and boy did we save some money.

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