SAH/WOH - Why?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2005
SAH/WOH - Why?
3166
Mon, 02-20-2006 - 7:41am

I am sure this has been done before but I was wondering this in light of recent posts lately.

Why did you decide to sah/woh?

Was it a choice or something expected of you?

Was your plan to sah/woh though out or impulsive? Long-term or short-term?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 7:29pm

***If you need towing capacity, you need some kind of an SUV. However, my point was that you don't need a gas-guzzling 12-mpg vehicle to lug stuff around. A Honda can do just as well as any of those SUV's.***

Oh I agree. I think a minivan can do some lugging around. Honda has a great SUV. I really like the Pilot (well not the new redesigned ones). I think their SUV is really great. However at the time I bought my Sequoia I bought it due to owner incentives I could get from Toyota. I don't regret it at all. I do get better than 12 mpg but not much.

 

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 7:34pm

However we both drive what we drive for certain reasons."

So what? That doesn't change your statement that you don't need an suv.

Overall, I think that what pka has done is more environmentally conscious than what you have done. But again, I don't care to get into a pissing contest--you're the one who keeps harping on that, instead of just looking at your own situation and considering that you might indeed be able to do something that is more environmentally conscious--if you were so inclined.

"howwever to say that she is or you is more environmentally conscious than I am is really without foundation."

Without foundation? You've said several times that the environment doesn't come into your decisions about cars at all. Maybe you'd better read up a bit on pollution if you think car emissions are so unimportant. Maybe you should read up on foreign politics a bit if you think our reliance on oil isn't a problem.

So what exactly is it that you consider the prime factor on environmental issues, and what are you doing to improve the environment with respect to that factor?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 7:46pm

***So what? That doesn't change your statement that you don't need an suv.***

No one NEEDS a car. Everyone could ride in a taxi or have a friend drive them around. Yes it does change my statement. I drive my SUV for many reasons. Which I have listed more than once.

***Overall, I think that what pka has done is more environmentally conscious than what you have done.***

In respects to a car? Or across the board?

***But again, I don't care to get into a pissing contest--you're the one who keeps harping on that, instead of just looking at your own situation and considering that you might indeed be able to do something that is more environmentally conscious--if you were so inclined.***

Again this isn't a pissing contest. It was clearly to show you your bias here. I really still don't understand it. I thought this was about driving a vehicle that one doesn't need. Yet because she gets better gas mileage and has better emissions BUT drives a lot more than I do she is more environmentally conscious. Still doesn't make a bit of sense on your part.

***Without foundation? You've said several times that the environment doesn't come into your decisions about cars at all.***

My car is NOT my life. You have no idea what I do as a person with respects to the environment. Not one clue.

***Maybe you'd better read up a bit on pollution if you think car emissions are so unimportant. Maybe you should read up on foreign politics a bit if you think our reliance on oil isn't a problem.***

Our reliance on oil is bad. Yes. However I think there is a lot more to it than driving an SUV. Cars are only a portion of our reliance on foreign oil. Time to start drilling in Alaska and build more refineries. You do those 2 things...no more foreign oil.

****So what exactly is it that you consider the prime factor on environmental issues, and what are you doing to improve the environment with respect to that factor?***

I have already listed what I do. My family choses to use the recycling service that is optional in our area. When I work I also make sure to leave as many trees as possible when we clear a lot. If the homeowner requests more trees be taken out then they are will be paying for that. All my homes include trees in landscaping. I think that is very important to our environment. Should I go on?


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 7:54pm

Just to reiterate - the Odyssey IS as good as SUV's for lugging. It doesnt' just lug, it competes with the SUV's.

My Odyseey is a 2002 - and we came real close to buying the Pilot (that was the first year it came out). I really had a hard time deciding, but finally decided on the van because it had more room inside. The Pilot sat more (1), but the Odyssey was much roomier and much more flexible. I haven't seen the redesigned Pilots, but have seen the redesigned Odyssey. I like it.

I chose my car from it, the Sienna, and the Windstar. The Honda and the Sienna were far superior to the Windstar, and the Sienna's seats didn't have the well at that time. So I went with the Odyssey. A year later the Sienna came out with the well.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 7:55pm

"Well I am a person that drives an SUV. We have different opinions on the effects of the environment my vehicle poses. We will not ever agree how, so I guess this is a dead end."

Yes, it certainly is. You will do what you want, regardless of the impact on anybody else.

"Really? That is about the most amazing thing I think I have read in a while. All that carpooling and caring for an elderly parent and only 7K miles? Everything you do must be very close to your home. Where you camp must be too. What does your DH drive?"

Your reading comprehension is pretty poor. As I've already explained to you, we chose our neighborhood in part because we want a small community to raise our kids in. We don't live in the middle of nowhere--we're in a city. The things we do every day, like my job and our kids' school, are very close--1 mile each. We walk, we use public transportation, and we carpool (that means you take turns driving a group of kids, a concept I guess you don't understand.) I didn't say I take care of my mother, but she often goes places with us. She lives two miles away, and my sister lives three blocks away. We live near the mountains, so that is where we camp. And I already told you my dh drives a subaru--but he uses public transportation to get to work, so he doesn't put on a lot of miles going to work.

Considering that we live much closer to the everyday things we do than you do, I find it much more amazing that you only put on 10K/year, what with the trips you say you take, the 16-mile round trip to your kids' school, the fact that you don't live near the city (if I'm remembering right, that was an "ugh" for you),and the fact that you don't ever use public transportation, carpool, walk or bike.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 8:04pm

<>

You know, driving a van with 1 kid is not really impractical. I'll tell you why: The gas mileage is no worse on that than on a medium-sized car. Price-wise there's not much difference these days either. You can buy Kia for about 20k and any medium-sized sedan is going to be around that or more. Even a low-end Honda or Toyota van can be had for low 20's. I see them advertised all the time. The only way you can get more practical than that is either an economy-sized vehicle which is great on gas (like a Corolla) and those to me are very small. I feel much safer in a bigger car. The van is actually a very practical choice - all things considered.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 8:22pm

You said you don't need an suv. End of story, no matter how you try to spin it in retrospect.

So now being a homebuilder is a big boost to the environment? Um, okay.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 10:14pm

***Just to reiterate - the Odyssey IS as good as SUV's for lugging. It doesnt' just lug, it competes with the SUV's.***

Just to reiterate...I didn't argue that point at all. I thought I was clear that it is inadequate when it comes to towing.

***(that was the first year it came out).***

Really? The first year of the Pilot was 2003. Did you look at the Pilot later in 2002? They didn't even come to the showrooms until that latter part of 2002.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 10:19pm

***Yes, it certainly is. You will do what you want, regardless of the impact on anybody else.***

Don't you think you are being a little dramatic here? Stop all the drama.

***Your reading comprehension is pretty poor. As I've already explained to you, we chose our neighborhood in part because we want a small community to raise our kids in. We don't live in the middle of nowhere--we're in a city. The things we do every day, like my job and our kids' school, are very close--1 mile each. We walk, we use public transportation, and we carpool (that means you take turns driving a group of kids, a concept I guess you don't understand.)***

Is there really a need for the personal attacks? I mean really can't we debate without the drama and personal attacks? BTW I am well aware of what carpooling is. The concept I don't think you are understanding is that living in the city isn't always such a wonderful thing.

***Considering that we live much closer to the everyday things we do than you do, I find it much more amazing that you only put on 10K/year, what with the trips you say you take, the 16-mile round trip to your kids' school, the fact that you don't live near the city (if I'm remembering right, that was an "ugh" for you),and the fact that you don't ever use public transportation, carpool, walk or bike.***

Do you think because we don't live in the city that we don't have shopping or other things that are in the city. You really aren't understanding of much outside of where you live. I understand that. However you really shouldn't be so judgemental of others.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 10:30pm

***You know, driving a van with 1 kid is not really impractical. I'll tell you why: The gas mileage is no worse on that than on a medium-sized car.***

Really? The Odyessey is 19/25 The Accord is 24/34

Yet my Sequoia is just horribly worse at 15/18

Got it!

***Price-wise there's not much difference these days either.***

Odyessey $25,345
Accord $20, 025

***The van is actually a very practical choice - all things considered.***

You won't get any arguments from me. I think a van is a great choice. I am not the one complaining about people driving large vehicles.

 

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