Green Daily

Here's the thing: many places we go (and can walk or bike to) parking is NOT FREE. So, on top of the cost of gas, wear and tear on your automobile, you're paying just to keep the car on a precious piece of pavement. And depending where you live, you might be paying a fair amount of money. You might also be spending a fair amount of time finding a parking space.

Before we go paving paradise and putting up more parking lots -- thank you Joni Mitchell -- here's an idea: if you can swing it, why not walk or bike?

I'm going to go a little further and have you ponder the benefits of not getting into your car. Let's just say parking costs a few dollars. You can spend that money on something more satisfying! Indulge or do something for someone else -- give the money to your local talented street musician, make the Batista's day, toss the money into the till for a local environmental group or homeless shelter. For that matter toss it into a jar and save up for something you really want, like I don't know, a new pair of walking shoes or biking gloves!

Plus, there's that truism: what's good for the body really is good for the soul.