Reducing living expenses: a reflection

While investigating the possibilities to reduce living expenses, I realized car-related costs are quite heavy this year and compromise almost half of total living costs for me in 2017.

Car ownership, especially when one owns a car with a diesel engine, is quite expensive in The Netherlands. For me, the monthly costs regarding this is roughly $120. Over a year, we're talking about $1440. Insurance is cheaper; $30 each month and thus $360 over a year. The expenses regarding fuel aren't that bad either, with roughly $120 per month and $1440 per year. The total costs of maintenance and repairments this year is probably around $2200. So let's sum it up:

$1440 + $120 + $1440 + $2200 = $5200

Now, I do admit I don't hate driving a car and I go on trips abroad on a very regular base. However, the majority of driving is necessary for work at roughly 40 km from my home. That's 80 km each day and this from monday to friday. So we're talking about 400 km each week and close to 1800 km each month solely for work. So work causes quite some wear and tear on my car and a significant portion of my income has to be funneled into my car.

But this issue can easily get fixed by finding work within cycling distance and get a modern car that isn't diesel-driven. It would save thousands of dollars and actually help the environment ... ! Long commutes ... ? Thanks, I'll pass on that one ;)