Product Review: Simply Car-free

This is the first post of a series on Designing 4 Life of me reviewing products. I do not get paid for the reviews, but sometimes the links to the product will be affiliate links. I will always keep my reviews honest and helpful, so you get the most out of the review and have a first-hand account of the product before you buy. Know that I would not recommend it if I was not super excited about the product!

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You may have noticed the book I have displayed to the right on Designing 4 Life, called Simply Car-Free. This e-book is one that I highly recommend if you are thinking of changing biking to your main form of transport.

The E-Book Format

First of all, I love the e-book format, as it is paperless and you can travel weight-free with as many books as you like. I used to work as a freelance graphic designer designing e-books for a living, so I have an intimate relationship with the format. It is also a great way for independent publishers to share their work, and create a living for themselves. This is exactly what Tammy Strobel is doing, and I find her so inspirational.

The Book

Are you in debt? Do you want to save $8,000 per year? Are you out of shape and want to loose weight? Do you want to lower your impact on the environment? These are all good reasons to get on a bike and leave your car at home (or sell it!). But now, where to begin? This is where Tammy Strobel steps in, to answer all of your burning questions about biking to work, the grocery store, in the rain, and with traffic.

Tammy’s writing is really helpful, to the point, and shares simple tips to apply right now. She talks about everything from reasons to go car-free, shopping for the right bike, and safety tips. I love how she skips out on the filler text, and tells her experience with as few words as possible. It makes for a fast read, but one that is extremely effective. What I like the most is that she lives this lifestyle everyday, and gives real life stories to help us learn how to go car-free and live a simpler life.

Tammy has whipped me into shape on getting a bike, having a yard sale, and taking control of my finances. All from an e-book about going car-free that I read in a few hours! I’m constantly rereading Simply Car-Free, as there are little tips and tricks that I’ve applied since I first read the book. I am so glad to share this with you, and hope that you find the book as helpful as I do.

Extra Stuff

There is a section in the back filled with links to articles and blogs that will keep you busy for weeks reading, and not just about going car-free! There are some great tips on simplifying your life, minimizing expenses, saving money, and creating a more meaningful life. This section alone has helped me create Designing 4 Life, following her sound advice and recommended readings. I am also on the path to simplifying my life by minimizing the amount of stuff I have, and focusing on life experiences that really matter. Experiences like long bike rides with your love!

Personal Update

One of my goals this year is to be mostly car-free here in the Ozarks. Right now, the bike I got from Craigslist is in pieces and I’m waiting for some parts to come in from an online company. Once I get it put back together, Pinky is going to take me to the grocery store, work, dinner dates, and joyrides. I would love to see you out and about on your bike, too!

Tammy and her family have recently gotten lots of exposure in the media, so I’m sure her book is flying off the (hypothetical) shelves. Be sure to order your copy and join in on the fun Tammy has had lately. There’s even a cash-back guarantee, what’s to loose besides that belly?