Yes, I’ve joined the ranks of the carpoolers. When gas went over $4 a gallon, I decided it was time. I was asked first by someone that lives out my way and now my old boss has joined us. If we keep this up, we may need to rent a van and drive together to work.
It should be interesting to see how this goes.
A few benefits I see already:
- It doesn’t matter what work needs to get done, you have to walk out the door at 3:30 p.m. and it’s non-negotiable.
- I have to actually go to work when I get up early. For some reason that getting in early allows for early focusing, effective work and a sense of satisfaction that you at least accomplished something from 6:30 – 8:30 a.m. before anyone could call a random meeting.
- Fast ride home because the group just talks about random stuff.
- Discovering new things about your carpooling commuting buddies.
- Other carpoolers suddenly want to be a friend because you are “one of them” now.
- Forces you not to leave work when you get frustrated. Your frustration has to be delayed until 3:30 p.m.
- Forced productivity in the afternoon because if there is no where to go…might as well work.
Lots of good stuff despite the fact that it saves at least 1 day a week of gas. Right now that’s a good $10-12 bucks and add that up in a month and that pays for a few meals or for my wireless connection.
Also, it makes me act more frugal in other areas of life for some reason. Eat at home at night, make sandwiches for lunch, walk to the neighborhood clubhouse, etc.
