k_X_car_dependency

If you are used to car dependency and now I ask you to imagine a life without private car (but with car sharing, occasionally car rental etc…) you will think of many challenges. One of them is the lost convenience of Walmart, or Target. These are two of the several superstores that I have used. Look at the alternative solutions — they provide for most of the situations including some special situations.

Therefore, car-free living in a city underserved by Walmart may sound like a livelihood issue, but it is not really. I lived in East Orange, Porter Square, Boston, Brooklyn for years without any of these superstores nearby.

— alternative: similar stores on my commute and on our Chinese grocery shopping trips .. These trips are likely to pass by several shopping districts.

— alternative: smaller stores within biking distance
The superstores are sometimes located beyond my bike access in some suburban cities. I seldom choose to live in those rural cities. If I do, then there are always smaller (still sizeable) stores near my home, though price could be slightly higher.

I can go to nearby shops and big stores for most of my needs, and reduce Walmart trip to one weekend per month.

— alternative: planning for scheduled trips .. in https://tanbinvest.dreamhosters.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=21798&action=edit one American author said “I have started making this trip once a month. During the month I will make a list so that I will remember what I need”

— alternative: online shopping … can be cheaper and simpler. I just don’t know when I would start using it. I did go online to buy laptops, pills, baby powder, chia, batteries…. Good return policy.

— price tag .. Walmart is known for low price. Target is slightly higher but still affordable. The big warehouse stores [BJ’s / Costco / Sam’s ] are even cheaper.  So without a car, is our burn rate going to be higher? No.

• reason 1: we save on car related costs.
• reason : In fact, in the U.S. mass-produced goods are very economical and competitively priced compared to human service including restaurants, repairs, lawyers,,,
• reason : online price is even lower most of the time.