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My sisters and I did drive to this hospital, since we were coming from another city. And we knew about the parking situation in advance, deciding to pay it on philosophical grounds since the revenue goes to the hospital, which is publicly funded. Since our family was actually using this hospital, we felt it was not unfair to make a contribution.
So before departing for the hospital on that second day, I pulled up a Google Map of the surrounding area. I saw the grid of streets that were probably the no-parking zone. It was a ritzy lakeside neighborhood with large commercial strips nearby. But I also saw bigger trees and quieter locales just a few blocks inland. Then I spotted my target: a neighborhood soccer field with a small and old-looking parking lot. It was well under a mile from the hospital. I programmed this parking lot into my GPS navigator in advance and brought it with me, since my sisters have not yet learned to always travel with a GPS.
As we neared the hospital, the GPS effortlessly guided us through the residential neighborhood to the parking lot. It was free, and empty. We parked the car and enjoyed a twelve-minute stroll through the shady streets of a rich neighborhood, lined with huge oak trees and stone mansions. Mulberry trees were hanging over the sidewalks, so we stopped to harvest a few handfuls of ripe berries. It was a beautiful contrast to the cramped concrete parking garage, even before considering the victory of avoiding a $25.00 charge.
At that moment, I was struck with the inspiration for this article. We, the Mustachian Siblings, were enjoying a privilege and benefit that less than 5% of visitors to that hospital would ever experience. And it was available simply because we were willing to walk about 0.7 miles (1.1km) to get to our destination.
It is of course possible to earn more income more efficiently than simply working more hours at your current job. But adding more income still takes some work, and that effort should still be weighed against other Top 5% options.
Yet another shout-out for walking: When I worked in downtown Oakland, most of my office mates paid monthly parking fees in expensive underground structures. Most of these structures were 2-3 blocks away from the office. I, on the other hand, parked on the other side of the freeway, about 9 blocks away, for $Free.99.
Berkeley does make it extremely hard to park for free on the street, however, there are quite a few all day spots but you just have to know where to look. On Shattuck north of UC Berkeley, and in the hills, you will find plenty of free all day parking. I used to park every day on Shattuck and walk about 15-20 minutes to Philz coffee shop and read/write/work ($3 for large coffee in your own mug a little extravagant, I do admit).
On the other hand, it is really easy to BART into Berkeley, and ride your bike almost anywhere. The hills are a challenge though.
My rotation is about one pair a week. I work in an office for a computer giant and bike 3mi each way. On Monday I get a new pair from the closet, when I get home I change into my sleepwear, generally a pair of exercise shorts or pajama pants which have their own random rotation determined by my wife.
Shirts go through an every other day rotation, so in any one week I generally wear two, maybe three shirts (the third is on the weekend sometimes). Then those go through their own larger rotation depending on season.
My brother did the same thing in B.C.
He parked his minivan 2 km away and rode his bike up to the hospital.
By day 5 he was parking further and further away from the hosptial as he found the bike ride so enjoyable.
I get the Gini coefficient from the research, and that Americans have a greater gap in income between classes, and we work more, but I am not sure what to make of the second research on BMI, WC, and WSR. My layman interpretation of that is get of my rear end and and exercise and eat a better diet than the 95% of people.
Lindsey I am so sorry that you lost your dad. I went through the same thing when my dad was sick in the hospital an hour away from me. I drove there everyday after work and paid ridiculous amounts for gas, parking and eating fast food every night for a month until he died. Being frugal in our normal day to day life gives us more freedom to spend when times are tough and money is the furthest thing from our minds. You did what was best for you and him at the time:)
I just started reading this blog this summer but it makes me proud of myself when I already do the things MMM recommends. The only place I encounter paid parking is downtown (I live in OKC). Whenever we go downtown we always park for free at Bass Pro Shop which is on the eastern edge of downtown. I was curious how far it was to walk to Chesapeake Arena where the OKC Thunder play and it was 0.7 miles. Hmmm, coincidence?
Even a 50% increase of the good things and 50% decrease of bad things would probably be extremely helpful. Whether its competing with others vs competing with yourself, the end goal is being a bigger badass.
I see the same type of thing when I park in a store parking lot. People drive up and down the parking lot looking for a spot close to the door as possible. I just park in the first spot I see, walk, and save a little gas money.
At the YMCA at 5:30 AM, everyone is parked close to the door. I park in the furthest away spot, walk briskly with my bag, and get my workout in. My 2012 Honda Fit avoids door dings, and I get more exercise. Oh and I did 45 minutes, 15.58 miles, 556 calories on the exercise bike this morning at the Y.
Funny thing is, after we cross the bridge and get about 1/2 mile from the stadium, we reach dirt parking lots for the stadium. These places charge $10 per car and the folks have to walk about 1/2 mile to the stadium!
Most all of the suggestions sound good, but in this vegetative state I simply want to sit/lay down and relax. Having the telly on allows me to have others tell me stories, share their experiences, or entertain me (sometimes) without me having to keep my eyes open all the time, sit up, act like I am listening, or expend any effort what so ever. They (the telly) come to me.
My trouble comes at the end of the day (after dinner), when going to bed at 7p seems a bit extreme. Perhaps, as Matt indicated above, going to bed is the best choice for me. I used up all my energy during the day, and I feel guilty for going to bed like an 80-yr old, so I turn on the telly to make me feel better about myself.
This is one of my key philosophies to life, actually, that you just have to be willing to do more than other people. You can (almost) always have things work out for you as long as you put in the time and effort that others are not willing to. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to finances.
The easiest way to KEEP your income is by spending as little as possible, which requires that you do more things for yourself versus paying someone else to do it, and also that you spend effort finding the best deal on the things you do buy.
I hate paying for hotel parking. However, I once put the car in a $5 lot just a block from the hotel (so practical right?) Except our tire got slashed and I spent the whole next day worrying about getting it replaced before the shop closed for the weekend. I lost $50 instead of saving $20. Now I always pay in city hotels for peace of mind (safety is an expensive illusion, I know, I know.) fortunately I rarely travel by car to distant cities and stay in hotels.
I agree with Jen. The pull-up goal t is much more difficult on women than it is men. A few years ago, I really wanted to do pull-ups, but in my best shape I could only do 3. I had a professional trainer, similar equipment to what MMM described, and still never reached that goal. (Another woman I knew that never trained easily did 10.) At the time I was running marathons and benchpressing my own body weight.
Just joined a Crossfit gym 6 weeks ago and currently doing chin ups using a resistance band. Hope to be able to do at least one unassisted within the year! Loving the Olympic lifting. Lifting heavy is so much more liberating than doing 100 reps of a trivial weight (which is pretty much what Body Pump is).
On another note, any kickass suggestions for airport parking? Last time I flew internationally I returned at 3 AM to a very deserted Detroit airport and was really glad I had parked in the nearest parking garage, but it did cost me $. Since then I have paid the higher ticket price to fly to my home airport rather than pay hotel/gas/parking/driving time to a big city airport. I figure the cost of driving to a big airport is $200 to $300 for me. YMMV.
When I graduated from college many years ago I got a job in the city. Parking was very expensive so I did what MMM did. I found the closest free parking spot to my office (about 2 miles) strapped on my rollerblades and headed to work!
I have used the Park 0.7 Km away on a Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day, not to pay $70+ to go to the Game itself and to avoid $35 Parking. I then walk to the Casino after walking around the stadium a few times and lounge in their luxurious lounges while watching the Game from a Big screen and being socialable while helping myself to free sodas or cups of water after tailgating and eating pre-cooked snacks at the car.
Hahaha, We just walked about a mile around the neighborhood today. It was a great day and we went down to throw some stones in the river. I guess it is the state of mind. If I was going to the hospital, I would be too worried to walk much.
About the price of hospital parking, the hospital is not generally specifically preying on the families of the sick/dying. many hospitals have outpatient offices that supply alot of the parking revenue because they are a much higher traffic source. Some hospital units/offices also validate your parking, but usually if you are the patient or a direct family member.
Sometimes we head to downtown Portland, then out to East Portland, often times visiting my father, or head up North to North Portland for sushi, and then head back home for the cost of $10 for 2 people and all day travel. The light rail is awesome, without the constant jerking back and fourth of buses, and you can sit and read, or chat with other people. I have generally found that bus routes and connections actually meet up more often than not.
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