Wonder how many cyclists already figured this out?

[Fredwina]

In Bloomington, we have a member of the Forbes 400 (estimated net worth is $4Billion). He drives a '96 Cadillac and his wife a '94 Buick. They park on the street...because the city won't let them add a garage onto their house...

when I lived in Dallas, the newspaper reported Ross Perot drove a Chevy Caprice. most truly rich folks(as in monetary wealth) that I have know have had very plain cars.
personally , I'm jealous of my Brother and my SIL. they just bought a 60 year old two bedroom house for $50K. Of course, it is in Missouri.

[Geonz]

Good article - especially the fact that the notion of NOT HAVING a car was not only mentioned, but first on the list - even if it was a "long shot." Wow. The times they *are* a-changin'.

My mortgage is under $700 and I toss an extra "premium payment" in most months. I've been lucky enough to be able to buy my vehicles outright (that first truck needed a short term loan from little sister at savings account interest rates). No cable, no land line, no internet at the house Every time I get the blurb from Insight saying "Only $70/month for internet and phone!" I think "Wow!! I'm saving $70 each month!!"

My cab driving brother is going to need a car soon and mine fits the bill. I had already gotten to the point where "If lightning strikes it, I'll take the insurance and take my time replacing it." I didn't start out this aversive to driving - but I've gradually expanded my "acceptable conditions."

Big however - I am out here in a college town in the central midwest! I was reminded how easy the learning curve has been tonight because both of my left-hand turns had the people behind me anticipating that I'd be turning left and giving me lots of room to get across (the first time the guy just wouldn't pass me and I figured out the driver must have recognized my bicycle). Then you realize the truth behind all that stuff the vehicular cyclists say about acting like a vehicle and being treated like one.... knowing that's a whole lot more likely to happen here, where there really is enough room and time to get to work on time.

But I get inspired by thinking of the profound and horrible impacts that our dependence on vehicles cause.

[mimitabby]

our mortgage is $1400 a month but it will be paid off in 9 years (we got a 15 year refinanced mortgage) It's hard to compare to people living in Arkansas and Illinois and Missouri, but we compare very well with people who live in large urban centers.

We DO sometimes have car payments, but after the car is paid off we make those payments to ourselves, so when we are ready to buy the next car, we have a considerable start. This year might end up a little different because of all the bikes coming into the family (ack, cough, choke ) but this is the way we've managed for the most of our marriage. We also don't have credit card debt. (yet!)

[Pax]

our mortgage is $1400 a month but it will be paid off in 9 years (we got a 15 year refinanced mortgage) It's hard to compare to people living in Arkansas and Illinois and Missouri, but we compare very well with people who live in large urban centers.

We DO sometimes have car payments, but after the car is paid off we make those payments to ourselves, so when we are ready to buy the next car, we have a considerable start. This year might end up a little different because of all the bikes coming into the family (ack, cough, choke ) but this is the way we've managed for the most of our marriage. We also don't have credit card debt. (yet!)

Just curious Mimi, what are property taxes like in Seattle?

Here on a small house (900 sq ft like my old one) they're about $1800 a year, for a typical 1400 sq ft 3/2 house they'd run around $2600-$2900 a year.

[mimitabby]

Interesting, my property taxes are about 1800 dollars. my house is worth about $300,000 if you can believe that. the house is about 2000 square feet

[Geonz]

I just noticed that there are stars at the bottom for "ranking" the article. (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...ke.aspx?page=1 )

if you click on it, they'll know people are reading it

[Pax]

I just noticed that there are stars at the bottom for "ranking" the article. (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...ke.aspx?page=1 )

if you click on it, they'll know people are reading it

Thanks for pointing that out, if we let mainsteam media know that writing about bikes matters...maybe they'll write more?

[Pax]

Interesting, my property taxes are about 1800 dollars. my house is worth about $300,000 if you can believe that. the house is about 2000 square feet

Our taxes here have gotten ridiculous, I have a friend who bought a new 1200 sq ft house in a small "bedroom" community about 10 miles away from town, she paid $114,000 for it three years ago. Her taxes are up to $3000 a year now and she lives in a town with no professional police force or fire dept.! I can't figure out what they're spending the money on???

[ridethewind]

Our taxes here have gotten ridiculous, I have a friend who bought a new 1200 sq ft house in a small "bedroom" community about 10 miles away from town, she paid $114,000 for it three years ago. Her taxes are up to $3000 a year now and she lives in a town with no professional police force or fire dept.! I can't figure out what they're spending the money on???

Public schools. There is way too much reliance in Illinois on property taxes for school funding.

[ridethewind]

Interesting, my property taxes are about 1800 dollars. my house is worth about $300,000 if you can believe that. the house is about 2000 square feet

Yikes! I live in central Illinois and my house is about 1700 sq. ft. Last year, I paid $3,000 in property taxes. The house is worth between $100,000 and $150,000.

[mimitabby]

hey guys, my house only has 1500 sq feet i just checked with the assessor's office stuff on line.

[Pax]

Yikes! I live in central Illinois and my house is about 1700 sq. ft. Last year, I paid $3,000 in property taxes. The house is worth between $100,000 and $150,000.

Do you live in CU too?