Is everybody broke?

I don't agree that most households would come to a standstill. Lots of people are just brainwashed by the movies. A car is the second most expensive purchase of a lifetime, it should be carefully considered but it often is not.

What are you talking about compassion for? You'd think I've kidnapped your firstborn.

The CSO also indicates that irish households are saving tonnes of cash a year. Most people will not tell you if they are doing OK, that's the issue.

You've misunderstood, I've only offered suggestions for lower cost alternatives to consider. All are free to live as they choose.

To answer your question 'would I cycle 30kms etc.' TBH I wouldn't have arranged my life that way in the first instance, but that's just me personally. I get that people don't pre plan and then find themselves struggling after, I'm just suggesting alternatives that may be helpful.

Some people take offense to that because of the psychology of habit forming and emotional connection to machines.

I dont know your personal circumstances. I would imagine though that you dont have children or your children are grown up. You dont seem to realise the challenges facing families if they dont have a car if they live outside of Dublin where public transport is very poor. As I said earlier a car is a necessity for most people not a luxury!

We're a family of 5. It is not possible to live near everything we need. There is not enough hours in the day to cycle everywhere we need to be - I would never be off me bike 🤣. For most people what you are suggesting is unworkable.

apologies, i shouldnt have included that generality, but its probably many, particularly younger generations with or without young kids….

Its very easy for someone who has an expensive Tesla company car given to them by their employer to advocate that peiple dont buy their own cars and to give out about those who cant afford to get rid of their "unfriendly to the environment" 10 year old hatchback.

Are you asking how I do it personally or how people ought to do it? Personally I walk to the shop and give the cans back and buy something. As for people generally, I'm sure they can organise that themselves.

Escooters are a great invention, I generally use it as an extension of public transport. And yes e bikes are very cheap, a fraction of the cost of a car and even cheaper on bike to work scheme. More people should think seriously about this type of mobility to save time and money.

Regarding safety, yes, there is a risk posed by car drivers that should be factored in your decision and a key part of that is the type of road you'll be using with one. Most urban roads you're fine, but there's still car drivers going around using Instagram so have your wits about you.

Fairplay. I can't cope with them generally.

The online shop is indeed a bit of a dark art in terms of what you get but once you get used to it you know instinctively how to work it.

If you decide to give it another go i would recommend as a general rule to use it to stock up on frozen, canned, dry goods and cleaning products. And use the favourite list, saves so much time. Personally I use the online bulk shop once a month. Then for meats or fresh vegetables I pick them up in the greengrocer or butcher on the day or day before I intend to cook.

Been reading this topic for a few days now and this comment above really jarred with me… "Completely effin broke. Earn good salary but only making ends meet."

I'm the polar opposite - earn a BANG average salary - always have. But, that's the career I chose (design & print). The wages just aren't great. However - before meeting my wife, I had my own gaff and no loans (other than mortgage). Always had plenty for myself. No new cars. No designer clothes. Do all my own DIY, etc. Bring a lunch to work. It all adds up.

That gaff is now sold and we (married, I'm 45) now live in an obscenely big house in the country. I say that - because it's just us 2. She earns a very decent wage. And we live like millionaires. Well, maybe not millionaires. LOL

WHY?

Because we have (a) a very VERY manageable mortgage and (b) no kids. Reading back across this thread - it seems that kids (and ALL the associated costs that they bring) and pissing money away on rent are the 2 big big money-drains.

And believe me… I'm VERY AWARE of how lucky I am to not have money worries.

Again you seem to be picking up a few suggestions I've made and stabbed yourself in the heart with it.

If people can't manage without their car fine i wish them well and hope they can afford it. I'm just saying that most can get a long without if they just put effort into planning things out.

…and again, you simply dont seem to understand the needs of others!

do you walk to the shops with your kids, in order to return your cans and to make your purchases, how do you do this, with also carrying your shopping?

yes these e devices are great inventions, but again, where does a household, whos probably already paying extremely high mortgages payments or rent, find the money to supply the whole household with such devices, and are these devices truly safe on irish roads? yes these devices are indeed generally cheaper than a car, but is it truly possible to achieve all household transport needs via such, and in a timely manner, so that all household members have adequate rest?

noting, some extremely serious, fatal accidents, have recently occurred on irish urban, well maintained roads on e devices!

you do realise Donegal doesn’t have a railway…

You can take personal offence if you wish but that is entirely your own choice.