SAVING YOU MONEY:  Car Sharing

Nashville
Stacy Case

 I'm Saving You Money tonight on that hefty car payment and the cost of rising gas prices.  More and more drivers are now sharing cars, an idea that's gained a lot of traction during an ever present economic downturn.

For J.R. Ridley, one swipe of this card and he's in!

JR Ridley, a Zipcar member says, "You can just reserve a car and go drive around."

  Ridley is using the car sharing service Zipcar. For an $85 dollar annual fee and $8 for every hour he drives it. Zipcar names its cars and the car sharing company explains it cuts down on confusion in a catchy 'how to' video.

Zipcar rep says, "Find the one with the name tag that matches  the one on your confirmation. Say hello to Focus Flapjack."

  The one Ridley's using is named Berkley which he picks up in a specific parking lot at a specific time after reserving it online.  "A lot of it is on the honor system where you show up and abide by the policies you agreed to."

Stacy Case says, "By some estimates, car sharing can cut your transportatin costs by 70% and members report savings of $600 a month or more."

  We crunched the numbers and that's a savings of about $7 grand a year for Ridley.   Zipcar and We Car are the two car sharing services with cars parked in lots all over Nashville, ready to roll.  Both companies have outsmarted thieves. The key inside the vehicles won't work until the correct card is swiped.

   Now even rental companies like Hertz are getting in on the game.  In fact, Avis recently bought Zipcar.  Another rental company figuring out it pays to share.

Ridley says, "They cover gas.  They cover maintenance."

 If you don't return your car on time or break any of the policies, these services can revoke your membership.  So, that's the incentive to play by the rules.  I want to hear your money saving ideas too.  Share them with me on Facebook and Twitter at Stacy_Case17.

 




SAVING YOU MONEY: Car Sharing