Bus Pass
Last week I found out that I can buy a 1 month bus pass at work that will come out of my paycheck before taxes. I decided to buy one even though I’m not certain if it’ll save me any money. It’s the price of 14 bus rides per week, currently, at best I ride 10 times a week. I don’t know exactly what the savings is with the ‘lowering my taxable income’ part of the equation. I’m not even sure where to start with those types of calculations. I figure I’ll just look at my paycheck next week and compare the prices & figure it out that way. Plus, once winter gets here I’ll probably need to figure out a new pattern which will probably involve 3 buses per day. I still want to bike commute but I don’t yet know if either of my current routes will be realistic in crappy weather or if I’ll be able to stay warm on the bike (though it seems likely that I’d stay warmer riding than standing & waiting for the bus.) I don’t think I’d want to ride in really icy conditions because I think you’d be more likely to get hit by an out of control car. The cold I can handle & I’ll have to see about snow. 
I think having the bus pass will help me defend against those early morning snooze button moments. Occasionally when I wake up in the morning I forget how much fun I’ll be having once I’m on the bike & I forget that if I don’t get up, I will be forgoing my chance to get a long ride in that day. I have never once regretted riding once I’m on the bike. I’ll feel like I’m wasting money in addition to being lazy and hopefully I’ll get up.
Also, I will be able to save all that time I spend each morning hunting through the change crock looking for exact bus fare before 6 a.m.