Car Sharing

Cooperatives can improve your life by sharing your resources and delegating tasks that you hate. Consider cars: a rusting appliance, a liability of convenience, a love/hate relationship. It is paid for and “runs good” Given the high cost of fuel, you’ve learned to take public transportation. What to do with your car, particularly when the insurance premium or the city sticker is due?

Your car may need body work. Mine does, about $2,000 worth. Body work is in the “ain’t never gonna happen” category of my ‘to do’ list. Gear heads, however, LOVE cars and love tinkering with them. With enough incentive, they may may get parts from a junk yard and make the repairs, in exchange for something they need. It could be making the car available to take a wife, mother or child to the doctor. Maybe go on a date in style, or take the family on a drive in the country.

There are reliable people in your neighborhood for whom occasional or regular access to a car could make a huge difference. In four years, I have spent $22,483 ($5,710 annually), on my car, not including payments! And, I don’t even drive it much. I would be delighted to share it reciprocally with others. This will only work if the group members are scrupulous and reliable. The car must be fully functional, including gas and routine maintenance, and parked at the appointed place at the agreed upon time. Other arrangements, such as payment, or exchanges for goods or services, must be worked out and adhered to.

Technology

I recently moved back to my apartment and I’m still far from settled. My stereo is not hooked up properly and my television is not plugged in. I watch very little TV and don’t have cable so why spend time on it? Figuring out wiring would be a frustrating waste of precious time. A teenager or a technology whiz could fix this in a couple of hours. What would they welcome in exchange? A home cooked meal, use of my car, an errand, help with Microsoft Office? Any and all of those are within my range of expertise and I welcome a trade.

Many people know enough about Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Access to easily help someone over the digital divide. Others will know about iPods, digital cameras, Internet intricacies, cell phones and more. Turn to your community and save yourself time and frustration.