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The Benefits of Walking to Work

October 29, 2018 By Deanna 22 Comments

I completed my debt pay off journey on December 29, 2017.  Just like my sobriety date, I’ll never forget it.  I lived with my parents during the final 15 months and once the debt was gone, I started making plans of where I’d live next. The whole world was my oyster and so I had choices. I ultimately chose to live where I could walk to work.

Clean Slates & Strategies

My parents are awesome and encouraged me to stay with them through the winter months to save some more dough. I acquiesced to their suggestion and by not being in a hurry to move out, I was able to:

  1. Build up my emergency fund to a sizable amount (something I managed to not have for the first 44 years of my life).
  2. Buy some stuff for my new apartment.
  3. Celebrate my debt pay off by attending CampFI Mid-Atlantic.
  4. Enjoy more time with my parents.

When I started looking for apartments I knew one of my goals was to lessen my commute time to work. You see while living with Mom & Dad, I had a 45-60 minute commute one way to work. I took advantage of that time by listening to podcasts but I was ready to be done with the loooong commute.

When you have a clean slate a whole world of choices opens up to you. 

Apartment Hunting

I pretty much knew where I wanted to live. I work in a nice area and a lot of the apartments close by are costly. But, there are several apartment complexes that are older and much cheaper. Additionally, these older/cheaper ones happen to be the closest to my office.

Although I knew this is what I wanted, I decided to visit several other apartments for comparison.

I looked at a hip studio apartment with hardwood floors in an ultra-hip part of town. It was great except it was still a 30-minute drive to work. Hip was not worth the hassle.

I visited a spacious apartment with tons of closet space that was close to my parents. It was a bit cheaper and definitely roomier than the units close my office. However, I decided I didn’t need bigger and paying a bit more to be closer to work was going to be cheaper in the long run.

The Decision

I decided on what I knew from the beginning and signed the lease for an apartment which is about 3 blocks from my office.

There were multiple units to choose from and here’s where the tougher decision came in. They were remodeling 4 units with new everything. With an older apartment building, having a new unit was attractive. Of course, this came at a higher price.

It was still within my price range which would allow me to hit my savings goals. However, I decided upon the amount I’d be willing to pay for a newer unit and made an offer. Being that I was the first one looking at the newly remodeled units, they accepted my offer and the deal was sealed!

I moved in on May 1, 2018, and you can read all about the furnishing of my little apartment in this article.

Walking to Work

My apartment is incredibly close to work, but it’s also close to these things which I value:

  • Trader Joe’s
  • My gym
  • The Metroparks
  • Beautiful rolling streets with bike lanes

#1mileradius

My day starts out sans stress due to the proximity of digs. I’m not the only one who thinks walking (or biking) to work is a good idea. Here are some links to other articles on this topic:

  • Thoughts on two months of walking to work, by Young Fire Knight
  • Wisdom from years of bike commuting, by Waffles on Wednesday
  • The true cost of commuting, by Mr. Money Mustache
  • I escaped my car and now walk 7 miles home when I work in the city, by Jenny Rough via the Washington Post

Now my commute to work is literally 5 minutes…and I get to walk it. Seriously, how lovely is that? Furthermore, I walk home for lunch. Who doesn’t need to get more steps and fresh air in their day??

That being said, I want to break down the different benefits of walking to work. If you are ever in a position to make this choice, you’ll know what you have to gain.

Environmentally-Friendly

When we use our feet to get us somewhere we are putting out fewer pollutants into the environment. This one is pretty basic.

Love and respect the earth.

Health

My walk is short (5 minutes) but if you count the time to work, home for lunch, back to the office after lunch, and back home, that is 20 minutes of walking. When you sit at a desk most of the day, the movement is a welcome reprieve. No doubt my walking commute is contributing to my health but being that my commute is short, I still exercise in other ways.

I encourage people who may have a longer walking or biking commute to consider it. Think of it this way, the longer you commute is on foot or pedal, the more likelihood you have of being able to kill two birds with one stone.  Commute to work = exercise = win.

I always loved this quote by the late Dr. Wayne Dyer, “you can either take the time to exercise when you are young or take the time to be sick when you are old.” Yeah, I know there are always outliers and exceptions, but I believe wholeheartedly in the correlation between exercise and health.

Less Aggravating

I used to drive 45-60 minutes to work each way. The early part of the drive was peaceful and scenic; however, as I approached the office I had to contend with rush hour traffic and construction. This part of the commute was anything but peaceful.

Now, I walk out my apartment and onto the busy street down three blocks to my office. I feel the fresh air in my face and get the blood flowing in my veins. It’s peaceful. I arrive at work ready to take on the day.

Happiness Quotient

I’m able to be more productive in my mornings. By getting 1 &1/2 to 2 hours of my time back each day, I can now devote it to writing, reading and/or working out.  One could say, this blog is possible due to my choice to have a short commute to work.

Having more time to do the things I love makes me happy. I feel good about being able to walk or bike most places. I enjoy my neighborhood more and meet new people.

I had some family and friends who were concerned that by living closer to work, I might end up working longer hours. So far that has not been the case.

Maybe my blog is a welcome distraction.

Perhaps I look forward to leaving work at a decent time because I don’t have to contend with traffic.

Maybe, just maybe I’m finding balance. Either way, I’m happier.

Cost Reducing

I’ve calculated that I am saving $75 – $100 a month on gas by walking to work and living close to the things I value. That turns in $900 – $1,200 a year which gets invested. At a 7% rate of return, I can turn that into ~$22,823 – $30,431 in 15 years. Woah!

Furthermore, by less wear and tear on my car, I can keep it longer. My current 2008 Saturn with high mileage is still going strong. I see no reason that I won’t be able to keep it a few years longer.

Love this car!

I have enough money in a savings account for my next car purchase but I will prolong until it’s a necessity. I’m earning an APY of 1.9% on that money so it’s really not much growth but it’s something.

If you are saving for a car and can walk to work, you should be able to truncate the time to your savings goal.

Capacity for Road Trips

Being that I don’t spend 2 hours every day in my car, I’m inclined to say yes to more road trips. I’ve said it before that you tend to appreciate things more when you do them less.

This past weekend, I was able to make a road trip to Toledo, Ohio which is about 2 hours west of me (Cleveland). I was able to spend some quality time with Andrea & her husband, Jason, from Saving Joyfully.  If you haven’t checked out her blog yet, I recommend you do. I gain a lot of inspiration from her…and her joy is, um, contagious.

Ms. Fiology & Saving Joyfully meet-up 1.0

Furthermore, I was able to enjoy a spectacular sunrise over an architecturally beautiful bridge on my way home from Toledo the next morning:

Yeah, I took these when driving but only ‘cus there were no other cars around 😉

Considering a visit to beautiful Ohio yet? <3

Final Thoughts

My assessment is that having a shorter radius to all the things you value is life-changing. Right now, I don’t think it’s feasible to be without a car completely because of spaced out family members and friends. However, I certainly do like going days without needing to drive my car.

Are you saving for a car? Walking to work could certainly curtail the savings time. Wouldn’t it be nice to pay cash for your next car? For me, I can honestly say, I’ll never have another car payment again if I can help it.

I get it, reading a blog post about a woman (who you may have or have not met) re-arranging her life to be able to walk to work can seem out of reach. We get attached to our homes and relocating is hard work.

However, I challenge you to think a bit outside the comfort box. What would your ideal life look like if you could create it? By eliminating frustrations (like traffic) we can free up more time to be on purpose, make the world a better place, and help people. I’m pretty sure no one’s purpose is to spend agonizing time stuck in traffic.

Walking to work has had an overall positive effect on my life. In my assessment, I’m healthier, friendlier to the environment, less aggravated, happier, wealthier, and more able to travel. That seems like a win/win/win/win/win/win.

Filed Under: Frugality, Healthy Living Tagged With: Crushing Expenses, Life Hack

Comments

  1. Andrea says

    October 29, 2018 at 7:59 am

    I love this post! Especially the photos. I wish I could successfully walk to my job I certainly would. I have had previous jobs where I did and I miss the peaceful walk before work. It was so great to meet you in person and talk your ears off all evening Saturday. Thank you for the mention and for coming to visit.

    Reply
    • Ms. Fiology says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:12 pm

      I know it’s not possible for everyone due to life circumstances but perhaps there will come another day when you can again.

      It was so great to spend time with you and your husband! I don’t think any of us stopped talking until 11:30 pm! You are an inspiration to me and have been a helpful accountability partner along this blogging journey. The people are my favorite thing about blogging.

      Reply
  2. jane hook says

    October 29, 2018 at 11:59 am

    nice post!!!

    Reply
    • Ms. Fiology says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:08 pm

      Thanks, Jane!! You’ve done the walk to Trader Joe’s with my a couple of times.

      Reply
  3. Seonwoo Lee says

    October 29, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    I can’t think of a better way to celebrate paying off debt 😉

    A greater capacity for road trips was not an outcome I expected from this list, but it definitely makes sense. I too have a short commute and definitely don’t mind road trips that much.

    Reply
    • Ms. Fiology says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:15 pm

      Yep, that was a good one! Heck, that is really how this blog was born.

      I had the post all ready to go and then I went on a road trip this weekend and it dawned on me. I have the capacity for this road trip because I don’t spend two hours a day stuck in my car. I actually enjoy driving when I actually do it now.

      Once we set up our lives to be mostly walking/biking commutable, I imagine it’s hard to go back.

      Reply
  4. mrWow says

    October 29, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    I love my bike commute and miss it when I cant do it!!

    Walking is even better. I did that for a while.

    I know the Mrs. Is very jealous as she’s in the car all day.

    Reply
    • Ms. Fiology says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:23 pm

      Yeah, I used to bike like 10 miles one way to work when I lived in Colorado in the 90’s. It doubled as my exercise.

      My walk is so short now that I still do other fitness but I love it!

      Yeah, I imagine with the visiting of different clients, the Mrs. kind of has to be in a car.

      Reply
  5. Financial Pilgrimage says

    October 29, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    Thanks for sharing your story! I don’t live close enough to walk to work, but biking could be a possibility. Maybe I’ll give it a try some day.

    Reply
    • Ms. Fiology says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      You are welcome! You should try it out and report back to me 🙂

      #Accountability

      Reply
  6. Clare - Simple Measures at Home says

    October 29, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    So many good reasons here to live where you work/work where you live. I’ve done crazy commutes and I look back now and don’t know what I was thinking! There was never much time in the day for anything besides work and the commute. Never going back to that! Great post.

    Reply
    • Ms. Fiology says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:26 pm

      Hey Clare, thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, with a long commute there isn’t much time for anything else during the day. I feel similar I’ll never go back to a long commute if I can help it!

      Reply
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    January 16, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    Successful bloggers are known by their name. Many even name their blog the same as their personal name.

    Reply
  8. 크레이지슬롯 says

    January 16, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    Whenever you comment on any blog using the email address you sign up with at Gravatar, your image will be displayed next to your comments. So be thoughtful before you start commenting on blogs in your niche as you build your online identity.

    Reply
  9. 바카라사이트 says

    January 16, 2020 at 11:37 pm

    Blogging is all about your own personal authentic experience which you can use to build your credibility online.

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  10. 온라인카지노 says

    January 16, 2020 at 11:38 pm

    You’re even more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside.thanks for the info,,i really like your blog.

    Reply
    • Deanna says

      January 19, 2020 at 9:26 pm

      Thank you, kindly.

      Reply
  11. 카지노 says

    January 16, 2020 at 11:38 pm

    Your ability to recall random factoids at just the right time is impressive.

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    You may dance like no one’s watching, but everyone’s watching because you’re an amazing dancer!

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Trackbacks

  1. The Only Requirement for Membership is a Desire to Achieve Financial Independence - Ms. Fiology says:
    March 28, 2019 at 6:31 am

    […] Walking to work […]

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  2. How the story you tell yourself affects your finances - Recovering Women Wealth says:
    December 29, 2019 at 8:14 pm

    […] can all benefit from incorporating more exercise into our daily life.  I walk to work 5 days a week.  Furthermore, I get vigorous exercise 3-4 times a […]

    Reply
  3. Lifehacks to Make Your Life Easier & Save You Money - Recovering Women Wealth says:
    January 27, 2020 at 6:32 am

    […] another game-changer. Currently, my apartment is within three blocks from my office so I can walk to work.  However, that will be changing […]

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About Me

My name is Deanna and I am happy to be on this redemptive path. I got sober from drug addiction/alcoholism in 2010 and returned to a faith in Christ. Additionally, I finished digging my way out of debt in 2017. Today, I’m learning to be a wise steward/investor of my resources while helping other women find their victories too. More about me.

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