There were many reason why I was considering selling my car, but the straw that broke the camel’s back was a parking ticket. I forgot to move my car from one side of the street to the other and when I came back to my car, there it was, a beautiful parking ticket, a request from my city to contribute to their coffers.

It was one of those days in which the city cleans one side of the street with a big machine that looks like a giant vacuum cleaner and they needed that side of the street to be cleared of cars.

It wasn’t my first ticket. In fact, I have budgeted to get at least one ticket per month as part of my monthly expenses, but this day, I was very upset because (as always) it was slight distraction that cost me $51 (plus contribution).

I took out a sheet of paper in which I enumerated all the pros and cons of owning a car, I enumerated all the conveniences and inconveniences; all the expenses and savings of having a car, and I decided not to have a car any longer.

I was one of those persons who thought I would never be without having a car, but I turned a corner and now I tend to believe that I will never have a car again.

I realize that I am very fortunate to live in a city like Montreal, and to live in an area of the city where not having a car is not only possible, but the easy route. I don’t have kids to chauffer from one sports event to the other, and for the most part, everything I need is walking distance from my apartment.

Two years after selling my car, sometimes I feel some regret, but then when I see people digging their car out of the snow, or loosing half a day of work because they have to change the summer tires to winter tires, and my brain confirms that I made the right decision.

Parking tickets penalties are going up

My city Montreal, decided to increase the cost of the parking tickets. I am sure that Montreal is not the only one. Where ever you live, if you own a car and commit a parking infraction, I am sure the cost will be higher for you as well.

In January, the cost of parking in an unauthorized spot will increase from $51 to $60.

The city says that the “goal in raising the fine rate is to change the delinquent and problematic behavior of motorists in order to increase safety for all users.”

But we also know that city is makes a ton of money with parking ticket. It’s a form of taxation that only car owners pay.

Here are other additional amounts that will also be charged:

•  Double parking a vehicle along the length of an already parked car or blocking traffic ($71, up from $61)
•  Parking in a zone reserved for people who are disabled ($271, up from $234)
•  Parking in a no-stopping zone, elsewhere than a reserved lane ($71, up from $61)
•  Parking in a reserved lane ($271, up from $234)

The fine increases are expected to generate additional revenues of approximately $9 million in 2023 for the city of Montreal.

Get rid of your car to achieve faster financial independence

As you can see, owning a car can be very expensive, and we are not even talking about the damage created to the environment and the negative effect on our city’s aesthetics.

If you want to achieve financial independence fast or have a better quality of life, not having a car could play a positive role.

If you live in a city where having a car is not essential, here are some alternatives:

• Walking
• Public transportation
• Bikes
• Uber (and other ride hailing services)
• Car sharing membership

Please share your point of view

Do you own or not own a car?
Would you be willing to give up your car?

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• How to become Financially Independent
• The end of the year is coming. Are you updating your will?
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