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The pandemic brought major shifts to the workplace as droves of employees began working from home for the first time. Working from home or getting a remote work position is more possible than ever. The good news is that working from home can save you a good chunk of change, too. If you’ve wondered how much money you can save working from home, we break down some numbers for you but it could be hundreds or thousands of dollars.

1. Lower car insurance rates

Working from home means driving less. If you drive less, you’re at less risk and therefore your car insurance rates may drop. During the pandemic, many major car insurance providers cut their premiums. 

But there’s a better way to lower car insurance rates when working from home and that is through pay-per-mile insurance. Using pay-per-mile auto insurance, a type of usage-based insurance, you’re only responsible for paying a low base rate and several cents for every mile you drive. 
 
On average, Metromile customers have saved $741* per year making the switch, based on survey data from new customers in 2018. You can take a look at your options, but working from home and driving less should mean lower car insurance rates as well.

2. Drop in commuting costs

Working from home means paying less in other commuting costs as well. In addition to lower car insurance rates, you can reduce costs for the following. 

• Public transportation. Instead of paying the fares for the bus or metro to get to and from work, you can now pocket that cash. In fact, close to half of the commuters in the U.S. reported using public transportation less due to the pandemic. An unlimited metro card in New York City costs $127 per month. Forgoing the unlimited metro card for a year would save you $1,524 per year. Cost-per-ride is $2.75. Let’s say you still needed to take three round-trip rides per week for a year. That would be $858, still saving you money. Many cities have fairly comparable rates, so eliminating this cost or only riding part-time you stand to save a lot of money. 
• Gas. Right now gas prices are on the rise and can add a lot to commuting costs. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index Summary, the gasoline index increased a whopping 41.8% since July 2020. When you work from home, you can save a lot by filling up your tank less often than you normally would when driving to work every day. A Marketwatch article from 2018 estimates saving $444 in gas per year working from home full-time. 
• Car maintenance. The more you drive, the more wear and tear there is on your vehicle. There’s no way around that. But driving less by working from home can lead to fewer repairs or car maintenance issues. For example, you may need to get less frequent oil changes, fewer repairs, and have less likelihood of an accident. Let’s say you drove a lot before and got an oil change every three months. You may be able to cut back to twice a year, instead of four times a year, effectively saving you around $120 per year.
• Ridesharing costs. There’s a surge in ridesharing costs right now, so if you previously took Uber or Lyft to work you’re saving money by working from home. Statista has data for average ridesharing costs as of 2018, and New York commuters spent $84 per month. That would be $1,008 saved each year by cutting this cost out.

3. Not shopping as much

When you work in an office, you need to adhere to the dress code. That may mean buying suits, slacks, ties, dresses, jumpsuits, or whatever is appropriate for your workplace. Those clothes may not be cheap and caring for them with dry cleaning can add up. 

Women in particular may spend more money on makeup, nails, and hair to keep up appearances. Working from home can reduce some of those costs. Of course, you still need to wear clothes to work from home, but you may not have to wear the same things you’d wear every day at the office or pay as much for the care and cleaning of these items. A Marketwatch analysis estimates women save $400 per year working from home.

4. Dining out less

When you commute to work, sometimes you create rituals as part of the process or simply out of convenience. For example, you may hit up the local coffee shop on your way to work or dine out for lunch or get snacks on the go. A 2015 survey from Visa found that people spent an average of $2,746 on lunch each year. 

If you come home tired from a long day, you might order take-out. All of these costs can add up fast. When you work from home, you have more time freedom and can have more energy saved from not commuting. That can mean having slower mornings making your own coffee versus rushing out of the door and grabbing one on the way.

5. May be able to write off some things for taxes

If you’re a remote worker and are self-employed, you could be eligible to write off many parts of your home office. For example, the technology required for your office could be considered a business deduction. You could potentially write off a portion of your home office. It’s possible to write off $5 per square foot for up to 300 square feet, for a maximum of $1,500. Deductions reduce the amount you owe in taxes, but unlike credits, aren’t dollar-for-dollar. How much money that saves you depends on your tax bracket and income but let’s say you’re in the 15% tax bracket, you could save $225 per year.

Unfortunately, employees who work full-time from home aren’t eligible for the home office deduction. If you had a side hustle from home part of the time that may make you eligible. Whether you’re self-employed or an employee, any tax questions should be sent to a professional tax specialist who can help you with your particular situation.

6. Turning your home or the outdoors into your gym

Many gyms closed their doors during the pandemic. According to a 2021 Finder.com survey, 1.3 billion dollars is spent on unused gym memberships. During this time, you may have turned to your home or the great outdoors to be your gym. 

Instead of pricey memberships, contracts, and something that is a hassle-to-cancel, you could save money by ditching the gym and opting to work out from home or outside. For example, you could do bodyweight exercises at home or if you have weights or bands, can use them to get a workout in. You can also go biking, running, or hiking outdoors to break a sweat. According to RunRepeat.com, the average gym membership is $507 for the first year and $479 for the second. Ditching the gym for your home gym or opting to move outside could save you up to $507 per year.

The bottom line 

If you’ve ever been curious and thought just how much money do you save working from home, now you know it can be a lot. That number can vary depending on your lifestyle and cost of living but given the numbers mentioned above, you could stand to save up to $7,715/year. Being able to work from home can lead to a number of reduced expenses, fewer options and temptations to spend, as well as lead to more time and energy. As part of lowering your costs while working from home, see how much you stand to save by switching to pay-per-mile insurance.

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Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function. 

As COVID-19 hit in March 2020, everyone’s life changed. A big part of that was workplace changes as many employees shifted to working from home. As the Delta Variant is currently raging across the U.S., employers and employees alike are reviewing work from home options indefinitely or permanently. There are many reasons to work from home given the current pandemic and safety guidelines, but there are benefits of working remotely to consider as well. Here are the top 8 benefits of working from home.

1. Less time and stress commuting

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau as of 2017, the average one-way commute time was 26.1 minutes. So round-trip means spending about an hour per day in your car going to and from work. That’s a total of five hours per week — which doesn’t include the time you actually spend working.

On top of the time savings, one of the benefits of working from home is dealing with less stress from the commute. Let’s just say that being stuck in traffic, getting cut off, worrying about being late, and dealing with parking doesn’t help anyone’s inner peace. According to information from Keck Medicine of USC, longer commutes can lead to increased stress, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and higher blood pressure.

Working from home can give you more of your time back and lead to fewer stress-related health events.

2. Increased work/life balance

Work/life balance can feel elusive in some ways, but working from home makes it easier. Given the example above, let’s assume without commuting you’re able to have five more hours per week for yourself. You can spend that time as you like. 

Maybe it means slower mornings with a cup of coffee or reading your favorite book or getting a workout in before starting your day. Maybe it means sleeping in an extra 30 minutes or watching an episode of your favorite show while eating breakfast. One of the benefits of working remotely is that you have more time and also more control over your time due to fewer interruptions.

3. Boost in car insurance savings

If you’re driving less because you work from home, you should be able to pay less for car insurance as well. Many car insurance companies slashed their premiums during the pandemic for this reason. There’s no doubt that one of the benefits of working from home is driving less, so you want your car insurance costs to reflect that. 

If you’re working from home, one way to sustainably cut costs if you’re not commuting or just driving less, in general, is to opt for pay-per-mile car insurance. Through pay-per-mile insurance, you simply pay for the miles you drive. At Metromile, customers pay a base rate and a nominal amount per mile making it an affordable solution for remote workers.

4. Better for the environment

Aside from the pandemic, we’re also dealing with another crisis — climate change. We’re seeing very real effects with an increase of fires, volatile weather, and hotter temps. A big part of that is from greenhouse gas emissions. 

Driving less can help you save money on car insurance and gas but also has a broader impact on the environment as well. According to The New York Times, greenhouse gas emissions from energy and industry dropped more than 10 percent in 2020.

5. More money in the bank

One of the best benefits of working from home is having more money in the bank. There were fewer places to spend money as things were closed. Also, without a commute people could save money on gas, car insurance, parking fees, eating out, coffee out, clothes, and more. 

According to a study from the Economic Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, savings rates more than quadrupled going from 7.2 percent as of December 2019 up to 33.7 percent in April 2020. Having more money in the bank means more financial security and overall financial wellness, which can impact your mental wellbeing and levels of stress.

6. Location flexibility

In the before times you’d be tethered to a geographic location for your job. Of course, there are tradeoffs. For example, you may have to live in a metro area like New York or San Francisco to work in a specific sector or get opportunities, but you’ll also have to pay a higher price for the cost of living.
 
On top of that, you may only be able to visit your family during the holidays. One of the best benefits of working remotely is that you have much more location flexibility. That could mean working from a lower cost of living area, or working from your parents’ home or a friend’s home, or even traveling to a new city and exploring while still being able to do your job.

7. Higher productivity

One of the top benefits of working remotely is a boost in productivity. Though working from home can take time to adjust to, in the long term many employees find they’re interrupted less and can get more done when on their own. There may be fewer meetings or quicker meetings, less engaging in office drama or logistics, and more time to get the important work done. 

According to a 2020 FlexJobs’ survey, “51% of survey respondents indicate that they have been more productive working from home during COVID-19, and 95% of respondents say productivity has been higher or the same while working remotely.”

The reasons cited included fewer interruptions, more focused time, a quieter work environment, a more comfortable workplace, and avoiding office politics.

8. Improved mental health

There’s no doubt that the past year and a half has been extremely difficult for everyone. Lives and routines have been upended and the stress and anxiety of a pandemic have led to real mental health challenges. But one of the best reasons to work from home is to manage mental health. 

Those with mental health conditions may be able to better manage at home and with more privacy. According to an article on Mental Health America, the benefits of working remotely include supporting employees’ mental health. “Companies that give employees more control over when, where, and how they work through flexible work options are supporting the health and wellness of their workers and enhancing the company’s culture and productivity at the same time,” noted the article.

The bottom line

There are many reasons to work from home, such as a boost in savings, productivity, and mental health. If possible, work from home to take advantage of these perks and enjoy a better work/life balance. If you’re working from home, make sure you’re getting the most out of it and check out your rate for pay-per-mile auto insurance. 

You can get an online quote or check how much you could save if you switched by taking a free Ride Along™ trial from the Metromile app. You can earn additional savings of up to 15% off your initial Metromile quote (you’ll need to keep your current insurance provider to maintain coverage) in select states.

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Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.

The pandemic has affected everyone’s life in some way — especially when it comes to finances. Many employees faced reduced hours or layoffs as businesses shut down or closed permanently. On top of that, some people chose to opt out of working on the frontlines for health and safety reasons. All of these factors shifted the work landscape and put many older workers into forced retirement. According to the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, a staggering 2.7 million older workers were out of the workplace as of January 2021.

The amount of workers makes up more than three times the amount projected to be out of the workforce otherwise. If you’re dealing with a forced retirement or feel pushed out because of the current situation, here are some ways to manage your finances and expenses.

If you have a pension, review your options

We know that not everyone has access to a pension these days, but if you do it’s important to review your options. If your employer does offer a pension, you may be able to choose from a fixed monthly payment or a lump sum of money. 

Make sure you understand how much you qualify for and understand how each option will affect your budget and lifestyle. For example, it may be better to budget with fixed monthly payments if you’re worried about overspending. 

However, a lump sum could help you pay off debt and have access to capital if you need to move or pay for large expenses. Check out your options, review the amount, and decide what is best for you.

Consider claiming Social Security benefits

Depending on your age, you may be able to claim Social Security benefits to help out during this time. However, you should proceed with caution and consider the short-term and long-term effects of doing so. 

You can technically qualify for Social Security benefits starting at age 62, but waiting longer can be beneficial. The full retirement age is 67 and if you wait until age 70, your benefit amount will increase. 

If you claim your Social Security benefits at age 62, your benefit amount will be 30 percent lower than at the regular retirement of age 67 and a whopping 70 percent lower than if you claim your benefits at age 70. Of course, you may not have the luxury to choose or wait any longer, but it’s important to know how claiming now or later will affect your payment amount and your finances.

Take out money from your retirement accounts

If you’re dealing with a forced retirement, then it might be time to take out money from your retirement accounts. You may have an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) or you may have an Individual Retirement Account, such as a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA. 

If you’re older than 59 ½ there’s some good news. You can withdraw funds from your retirement accounts without any penalties. If you take out money before that time, you’ll have to pay taxes on that amount. 

Be aware that taking out retirement withdrawals can boost your income on paper and lead to a higher tax bracket. That could ultimately affect your eligibility when it comes to certain benefits and credits.

Getting money from previous or other accounts

Like many people, you may have had multiple employers over your working life. That means you may have money in a previous 401(k) or an unclaimed pension. Start by contacting your former employer to see about recovering funds from your account. You can contact the human resources department to get started. If you know the administrator of the account, you can contact them as well. 

You can also check out resources like the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits as well as the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.  You can also check out MissingMoney.com by state.

Additionally, take an inventory of all savings accounts you may have as well as any brokerage accounts as well. 

Reduce your top expenses

Being in a forced retirement situation can be tough because of unexpected income loss while still managing expenses. That’s why it’s key to reduce your top expenses. For example, you want to focus on the following to cut down on costs. 

1. Housing. If you still have a mortgage, you may consider refinancing or making adjustments to your repayment plan if possible. If you rent, you may consider downsizing to a more affordable space or move to a new location with a lower cost of living. 
2. Healthcare. Your health is important, especially as you age and of course even more so during a pandemic. Fidelity found that a couple at age 65 may need to save about $300,000 for healthcare costs. You can also use BenefitsCheckup.org to see if you qualify for any programs or discounts. 
3. Car insurance. Dealing with forced retirement means staying home more and commuting/driving less. That can lead to huge savings when it comes to your car insurance premium. At Metromile, low-mileage drivers could potentially save close to a thousand dollars* per year by making the switch. Making the change to pay-per-mile auto insurance means only paying for the miles you rack up driving plus a low base rate. You get charged a low base rate and pay several cents for each mile you drive.

The bottom line

Being in forced retirement due to a global pandemic or lack of opportunities can be difficult to deal with. If you’re in that situation right now, check out your financial options and start making a plan to move forward. Getting your retirement fund money and saving on expenses will be key. To see about saving money, grab a free quote for pay-per-mile insurance to see how much you could save.

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Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.

*Average annual car insurance savings by new customers surveyed who saved with Metromile in 2018.

Over the past year and a half, many Americans have moved homes, even temporarily, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased flexibility with work. Whether you have moved for a new job, convenience, a change of scenery, or to be closer to family, there’s one thing you want to make sure you do: check your auto insurance rate.

Many Americans are missing out on savings or paying too much now that their lifestyles and driving habits have shifted.

Here’s why now may be the best time to check your current car insurance rate and shop around.

Millions of Americans moved during the COVID-19 pandemic

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many of our lives. It’s not just our health and social norms that have changed during this time. The pandemic has also created considerable shifts in workplace culture and moving trends. 

Many people went from commuting to an office to working from home. Remote work has opened up new ways of living and working and prompted people to move closer to family or escape cities with high rates of COVID-19 infection or living costs.

Nearly 16 million Americans moved from February to July 2020, according to MyMove.com’s Coronavirus Moving Study, and the trend is likely to continue.

Neighbor’s 2020-2021 American Migration Report projects the number of Americans moving in 2021 will surpass last year’s totals. The report found that 20% more people plan to move in 2021 than 2020, primarily for job flexibility and the desire for a lower cost of living.
Notably, job flexibility wasn’t as easily accessible before the COVID-19 pandemic. With the rise in remote work and flexible work schedules, people feel more confident they can work from home and seek new places to live.

Driving habits have also shifted because of the COVID-19 pandemic

With many people now working from home or staying at home because of shelter-in-place orders and other public health guidelines, how Americans drive has changed.

A December 2020 Pew Research study found that 71% of workers were performing their jobs at home full-time or most of the time. As a result, commuting is no longer as commonplace as it used to be, and when Americans travel for work, they may be driving differently.

When COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic in March 2020, the number of miles driven across the country dropped dramatically. Recent analysis of Metromile customers nationwide found that people drove 30% fewer miles between April and December 2020 compared to the same period from the year before. Similarly, cumulative travel in 2020 reduced by 5.4%, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Pay-per-mile auto insurance can help

Your lifestyle can affect the price you pay for auto insurance. For example, if you moved to a new area and now park your car in a new ZIP code, your premium may change. If you drive less than you did before, pay-per-mile auto insurance could help you save money.

Pay-per-mile car insurance is a type of usage-based insurance that considers how much you drive.

People who drive less than the national average of about 37 miles a day (most Americans!) are low-mileage drivers and could save with pay-per-mile auto insurance.
Metromile could save you $741 a year on average if you’re a low-mileage driver, according to a 2018 survey of new customers who switched to Metromile and saved. With Metromile, you’ll pay a low monthly base rate and then a few cents for each mile you actually drive. Pay-per-mile auto insurance helps to give you control over the price you pay for your car insurance coverage.

The bottom line

If you’ve moved over the past year and a half, it’s time to check your car insurance rate. Your rate may change based on where you live and your driving habits, and you could score a lower rate. 

Get a free auto insurance quote with Metromile, and you can see how much you might save.

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Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.

Whether you’re going on vacation, taking public transportation more frequently, or simply driving less, you might want to know how to store your car long-term.

If you don’t plan on driving for an extended period, you might want to consider long-term car storage. Before you put your car away, you might want to consider these tips to help make sure your vehicle stays in good shape. After all, you don’t want to be stuck with a dead car battery or an engine issue the next time you want to take your car for a spin.

Where should you store your low-mileage vehicle? 

The best place to keep your car for a long time is typically in a covered or indoor garage. Storing your vehicle in a garage can prevent car theft and protect it against the elements, such as the blazing summer sun or a torrential downpour of rain.

If you don’t have access to a garage, you can look into a car storage service. Most major storage companies offer car storage.

If your most viable option is keeping it outside, you might want to consider purchasing a waterproof car cover to keep your vehicle clean.

How to store a car long-term?

If you don’t plan on using your car for a month or more, consider these best practices to keep your stored car in good condition.

1. Keep your car clean and covered

Dirt and residue can eat away at your car’s exterior if left on for a long time. It may feel odd to get your car nice and spiffy just to keep it locked away, but a clean car can help prevent other issues later.

Keeping your vehicle covered in a garage or wrapped in a weatherproof car cover can help keep your car clean and safe.

2. Fill up your gas tank before you go

While you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, it is a good idea to fill up your gas tank before you go. A full gas tank can prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank.

Excess condensation in your fuel tank can lead to acceleration problems. It can also cause a fuel line freeze in the winter, which can cause issues when you want to run your car engine.

If you plan to store your car for a very long time, you may want to purchase a fuel stabilizer to prevent your gasoline from becoming gummy.

An added benefit of a full gas tank? You’ll thank yourself when you get back and need to drive again.

3. Evaluate your oil situation regularly

Oil changes are a part of keeping your car well maintained. If you’re looking into long-term car storage for 30 days or more, you may also want to change your oil.

Old oil may damage your car engine. Before you store your car, make sure to drive it around a bit so that the new oil gets circulated in the engine.

4. Keep your car battery topped up

All vehicles typically experience a tiny amount of battery drain, even while turned off.

Mechanic Matt suggests purchasing a battery tender, a small charger that keeps your battery topped off every day.

Alternatively, you can also have a trusted friend turn on the engine every couple of weeks to help maintain your car battery.

5. Don’t engage the parking brake

Though you might be tempted to engage your parking brake, you’ll want to avoid it if you’re storing your car for months. Brake pads could get stuck or fuse with the rotors after a long time.

To avoid issues with your parking brake, look into wheel chocks that can act as a tire stopper instead.

6. Get some air in your tires

Another must-do for your car maintenance checklist is the air level in your tires.

If the tires are under-inflated, head to the gas station to add some air to your tires. Flat spots can develop as the vehicle’s weight presses down on the tires, even while idle.

It could also help to have an air compressor on hand to quickly inflate a flat if you can’t make it to a gas station.

7. Protect your car from animals

Believe it or not: Animals, including cats and rodents, may make your car home when idled or stored. These animals could chew parts of your car, hide in exhaust pipes, or cause other types of wear or maintenance issues.

The key to protecting your car from animals is to cover parts, such as the exhaust pipe and other areas with free space to prevent them from entering when you’re away.

8. Get pay-per-mile auto insurance for your car

Don’t forego your car insurance during long-term car storage.

Consider pay-per-mile auto insurance if you don’t frequently drive, as you’ll want to keep your car protected, even while it’s in storage. Because you won’t be driving your car while it’s stored, pay-per-mile coverage could help you save considerable amounts of money while it’s stored.

Taking your car out of long-term storage

Once you’re ready to take your car out of long-term storage, do a quick inspection before starting the engine. You’ll want to make sure your vehicle is safe to operate before driving.

Check the windshield wipers, tire pressure, fluid levels, brakes, and under the hood to see if anything looks off. Then, make any necessary maintenance or repairs to get your vehicle in good condition.

If you’re often leaving your car unused and don’t drive that much, consider switching to Metromile pay-per-mile insurance to pay for how much you drive. Drivers could save 47% a year on average, according to a 2018 survey of new Metromile customers who saved.

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.

Whether you’re a full-time student or you haven’t taken a final since the last century, you might be feeling that familiar summer vacation itch—once June hits, just about everyone seems to be feeling ready to skip town and let loose. Rather than fight the urge, why not hit the road?

Road trips can be quick, convenient, and totally fulfilling. In fact, according to MMGY Global, one of the country’s largest travel and hospitality marketing firms, road trips accounted for about 22 percent of vacations taken by United States travelers in 2015, and 39 percent the following year. Thanks to the flexibility of the stop-and-go mode of travel and the elimination of all that airport hassle, vacationers love exploring all of America’s awesomeness from behind the wheel.

But if you’ve been spending the rest of the year trying to stay healthy, camping out in your car for eight-or-so hours a day during a summer road trip may not sound like a great lifestyle choice. The good news is, there are super simple ways you can prepare for a more active, wholesome, all-around healthy vacation on wheels. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Pack snacks. Obviously, great food is one of the key features of a solid road trip, but as you probably guessed, most gas station snacks aren’t exactly nutrient-dense. Rather than filling the front seat with bags of chips and candy bars, pack a cooler with good-for-you treats like fruit, carrots, yogurt, string cheese, and more. Trail mix, raw nuts, and granola are all great options too, but you may want to portion them out ahead of time to avoid accidentally consuming a day’s worth of calories in a single stretch of highway.

1. Sip between stops. It’s easy to forget to hydrate when you’re belting your heart out to cheesy pop songs (a road trip must), but it’s crucial to keep a bottle of H20 handy at all times. Reusable, BPA-free bottles are your best bet, and you can add some ice to keep things cool. You definitely don’t want to let dehydration set in since it can zap your energy—not a good thing when you’re operating heavy machinery (or ever, really).

1. Move your body. Just because you’re sitting most of the day doesn’t mean you have to be totally sedentary. Make it a point to schedule in stops several times a day, and get some steps in before you get back in the car. Also be sure to stretch your hip flexors, shoulders, and neck, since these areas are likely to get tight and tense after a long day of driving.

1. Slather on the SPF. A classic mistake drivers make is forgoing the sunscreen. Just because you’re technically not outside, the sun’s rays are still beating down on your exposed skin. Be sure to apply SPF generously, and reapply every few hours.
2. Never, ever (ever) use your phone while driving. This should go without saying, but texting, Tweeting, checking the map, changing the music, etc. should not be happening while you’re behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,450 lives in 2016 alone If you have a co-pilot or pals in the backseat, have them keep your phone out of your sight and keep their own use to a minimum. Enjoy the open road, and leave the phone for later.

Feeling inspired yet? Pick a perfect destination and start driving! And if you need an insurer that has your back, hit up Metromile: visit metromile.com/insurance to learn more and get a quick quote. Happy trails!

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

There’s no doubt driving can be expensive. It all adds up between paying for gas, car insurance, car repairs, parking, and a potential car note. Fortunately, public transportation can be good for your wallet and the environment as a healthy alternative to driving. 

If you’re thinking of moving or just want to see if your city makes the rank, here are the 10 U.S. cities we believe have some of the best public transportation systems. 

10. Miami, FL

Miami offers three options to help you get where you want to go: Metrobus, Metrorail, and Metromover. 

You can take the Metrorail throughout the city on its 25 miles of elevated rail, including to and from the airport and downtown. Miami also offers a free Metromover that makes a loop from downtown to the nearby Brickell financial district. Rounding out the public transportation network, Miami’s Metrobus has 95 routes with over 1,000 buses. 

Miami ranking by ridership from Census data: 9th

Miami transit score: 88 trips per capita

Miami transit fare: $2.25 one-way

Total score: 57 

9. Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon (tied) 

Minneapolis, MN 

Minneapolis is a growing public transportation hub with light rail trams, buses, and commuter trains that can help you get to where you need to go. You can even take the light rail to the airport or between the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The city also has bus-only lanes and pilot programs to test out new transportation ideas. 

Affordability is another positive: One-way bus fares range from $2.00 to $3.25 depending on the time of day and whether the trip is an express route. Trips within the downtown area cost only $0.50, and there are also “free-ride” buses along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

Minneapolis ranking by ridership from Census data: 10th

Minneapolis transit score: 91 trips per capita

Minneapolis transit fare: $2.50 one-way non-express fare during rush hour

Total score: 54

Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon, has various public transportation options, including buses, a light rail, the Westside Express Service commuter rail, and even the Portland Streetcar. Portland is also well-known for its biking culture and has a bike-share system available downtown and the city’s inner eastside. 

According to TriMet, the local transit authority, “Each weekday, Portland-area residents take more than 316,700 trips on TriMet to jobs, shopping, services, and recreation. That adds up to nearly 100 million trips per year! And 78% of those riders choose TriMet over driving.” 

All of this makes Portland a city with some of the best public transportation in the U.S.

Portland ranking by ridership from Census data: 11th

Portland transit score: 97 trips per capita

Portland transit fare: $2.50 two-and-a-half hour fare

Total score: 54 

8. Seattle, WA 

Similar to its Pacific Northwest brother city Portland, Seattle has many different public transportation options to choose from: You can take the bus, streetcar, light rail, or even Amtrak trains or the ferry. It’s also a very bike-friendly city, and the city boasts a robust bike-sharing program. 

Seattle ranking by ridership from Census data: 8th

Seattle transit score: 97 trips per capita

Seattle transit fare: $2.25 one-way

Total score: 47

7. Philadelphia, PA 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has the sixth-largest public transportation agency in the U.S. The system in Philly serves 13 million customers every day and offers rides through trains, subways, buses, and trolleys. 

Philadelphia ranking by ridership from Census data: 7th 

Philadelphia transit score: 98 trips per capita

Philadelphia transit fare: $4.00 one-way, with increasing fares for travel to zones further away or New Jersey

Total score: 43

6. Los Angeles, CA 

Los Angeles, California may be best-known for its car culture, but it’s working hard to expand its public transportation options.

Los Angeles has buses, bike-sharing options, and a metro rail with six lines that span from the LAX airport to the neighboring cities of Long Beach, Hollywood, Pasadena, and Santa Monica. 

There is currently a project underway to expand service around LAX to serve more communities and decongest the region’s famously busy freeways. Additional work is also underway to complete projects by the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Los Angeles ranking by ridership from Census data: 6th 

Los Angeles transit score: 96 trips per capita

Los Angeles transit fare: $1.75 one-way

Total score: 41

5. Chicago, IL 

Chicago makes it in the top five due to its robust public transportation system. The Chicago Transit Authority serves a whopping 35 different suburbs and millions of riders, making it a city with some of the best public transportation in the U.S. One of the main perks for residents and tourists is the direct rail service to the two major Chicago O’Hare and Chicago Midway airports. 

Chicago ranking by ridership from Census data: 2nd

Chicago transit score: 98 trips per capita

Chicago transit fare: $2.50 one-way

Total score: 24

4. Washington, D.C. 

The nation’s capital has one of the most frequently used and busiest public transportation systems. The public transportation network connects Washington’s four quadrants and serves communities nearby in Virginia and Maryland. It also is one of the primary U.S. cities with a subway system.

The local transit authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, has been around since 1967 and provides the Metrobus or the DC circulator, which costs $1 and frequents some of the major points of interest around the city, including the National Mall, Union Station, and in the summer, the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Washington, D.C. ranking by ridership from Census data: 4th

Washington, D.C. transit score: 99 trips per capita

Washington, D.C. transit fare: $2.00 one-way, with higher fares for express routes and subway trips to zones further away or travel at peak times 

Total score: 23

3. Boston, MA 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority manages Boston’s public transportation system. The subways, buses, trolleys, and even boat service are often referred to by locals as the “T.”

Boston ranking by ridership from Census data: 5th

Boston transit score: 99 trips per capita

Boston transit fare: $1.70 one-way, with higher fares for commuter rail, subway, and ferry rides and trips of longer distances

Total score: 20

2. San Francisco, CA 

San Francisco, California has some of the best public transportation in the U.S., if for no other reason than its dizzying amount of options in the city, including Bay Area Rapid Transit commuter subway, Muni buses, light-rail trams, streetcars, and the world-famous cable cars. 

San Francisco ranking by ridership from Census data: 3rd 

San Francisco transit score: 99 trips per capita

San Francisco transit fare: $2.50 one-way, including two hours of transfers; BART fares start at $2.10, with higher costs when you travel longer distances or between counties or to an airport

Total score: 19 

1. New York, NY

New York City is well-known for its 24-hour subway, and as a result, the city is often touted as having the best public transportation in the U.S. 

The Metropolitan Transit Authority manages the subways and bus systems. You can get around New York with its comprehensive subway system and buses that connect seemingly all parts of the city and its various boroughs. There’s also the ferry and a bike-sharing program.

New York is the top-ranked city for public transportation use by percentage by APTA and the Census. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s our top city for public transportation in the U.S.

New York City ranking by ridership from Census data: 1st 

New York City transit score: 100 trips per capita

New York City transit fare: $2.75 one-way for most bus and subway routes

Total score: 14

Our Methodology

To determine the best public transportation, we looked at the total ridership, affordability, and how public transit affects health in the top 11 metropolitan areas in the U.S.

We used data from the American Public Transportation Association 2020 Factbook and Public Transportation Fare Database, Census data from the top 11 city metro areas, local transportation authorities, as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation and Health Tool.

We scored each city metro area on a scale of one to three points and calculated the rank by multiplying the points scored by the city’s rank in each category and adding all the points together. The city with the fewest points achieves the highest overall ranking.

For example, New York City ranked ninth in affordability, first in ridership volume, and first in health impact. It earned a total of 14 points: nine points for affordability (one point x ninth place), two points for ridership (two points x first place), and three points for health score (three points x first place) for a total of 14 points.

The bottom line

If you take public transportation often, you’re likely a low-mileage driver. 

Low-mileage drivers and people who take public transit, even occasionally, can save on their auto insurance with Metromile. Drivers can save 47% a year on average, according to a 2018 survey of new customers who saved with Metromile, by switching to pay-per-mile car insurance. 

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Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.

As the United States begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are making their summer plans if they haven’t done so already. 

Pent-up demand will likely fuel increased spending for everything from “vaxications,” or the first vacation after someone is fully vaccinated. Farnoosh Torabi, a Metromile customer and personal finance expert, partnered with Metromile to explain how Americans can celebrate the start of a potential post-pandemic future without making costly financial mistakes. 

Here are some of Farnoosh’s top wallet-friendly ways to save money and get away.

1. Assign a theme for your summer.

It’s important to pace yourself, Farnoosh says. Summer is a four-month experience, and it can be easy to get carried away with a big summer trip. She advises Americans to be intentional and purpose-driven.

An easy way is to assign a theme, such as relaxation or reconnection. 

If your theme this summer is reconnection, you can avoid spending in any categories that don’t meet this goal, such as an expensive solo trip abroad, according to Farnoosh. Instead, you might opt for a budget-friendly backyard barbecue with your friends or take a local trip with family members you haven’t seen for a long time.

2. Revisit your budget.

Many of us consider and set budgets at the beginning of the year, but it’s important to revisit our budgets whenever our life shifts, according to Farnoosh.

During the pandemic, we may have picked up new habits that might stick going into the future. This is why it’s important to reassess where you are now and where you want to be this summer and beyond.

Consider setting a new budgetary plan. You could give up some subscriptions you signed up for in the last year or plan around any new expenses you might have to take on going forward.

3. Don’t let car costs get in the way.

Summer is always a popular time to hit the road, and summer trips, even on the road, can be pricey.

Farnoosh recently became a Metromile customer, a switch that she says saved her over $1,000 a year during the pandemic with pay-per-mile auto insurance. And she believes she will continue to drive a lot less: Farnoosh doesn’t expect to go back to a five-day-a-week commute — what she calls her “new normal.” 

Farnoosh recommends Metromile to drivers who might be looking to take road trips this summer. She likes that any miles driven after 250 miles in a single calendar day are free (150 miles in New Jersey), which can keep auto insurance costs down. 

The bottom line

Americans can take control of their finances for a blowout summer by switching to pay-as-you-go auto insurance. Because you pay a low monthly base rate and then a small cost for only the miles you drive, you could keep your insurance bill low and car costs in check.

Drivers can get a free quote from Metromile and take a Ride Along™ trial before they buy to see if pay-per-mile coverage makes sense for their lifestyle.

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As a multi-bestselling financial author, Contributing Editor to Time Magazine’s NextAdvisor, CNBC host and creator of the Webby-nominated podcast “So Money,” Farnoosh Torabi has become a favorite go-to money expert. 

Farnoosh’s work and advice have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Time, Marie Claire, Glamour, Redbook and USA Today. She appears on major news and television shows and series. Highlights include Netflix’s “Money, Explained,” NBC’s “Today Show,” CNN, MSNBC, “Good Morning America,” “Dr. Oz,” “The View” and “Live! With Kelly and Michael.”

As a long-time Metromile customer — and former Metromile employee! — Isabel is well-versed in the ways of pay-per-mile auto insurance and Metromile’s insurance coverage.

But Metromile still found a way to surprise Isabel.

Now that she’s working from home, her odometer may be taking a break, but her Metromile insurance is still hard at work — most recently helping her recover her stolen Audi in February 2021. Here’s how Metromile reunited Isabel with her car.

What’s been your experience as a car owner living in the city?

Let me start by saying I’ve had terrible luck with parking garages: a popped tire here, a yanked-off bumper there. 

I never had a problem when I lived in San Francisco and would park on the street. You would think someone would have broken in then! Half of the time, I would forget what street I parked on, so I always pulled up the Metromile app to find my car. 

Now I live in Oakland, California, in an apartment building that has an attached covered garage. During the day, it’s open to the public as paid parking. Since I’ve been working from home this past year, I don’t drive very often, and I don’t check the app as frequently anymore. 

How did you find out someone stole your car?

One night I received a text alert from Metromile saying my check engine light was on. It was really bizarre.

I brushed it off, thinking my car was parked safe and sound downstairs. It wasn’t until the next day, around noon, that I discovered my car was missing. I just wanted to get the pack of La Croix I had left in the backseat!

I remembered, from my time on the Metromile customer experience team, when I helped people find their stolen cars; I immediately pulled up the Metromile app to find my car’s whereabouts. 

Luckily, the thieves hadn’t spotted my Pulse device or thought to pull it out. I could see them driving around in Oakland, California. I called the police, and we waited for a few hours until the car stopped moving. It ended up only a mile and a half from my house behind a motel.

How did they manage to get your car out of the garage?

The people who stole my car were very professional. On the security footage, you could see them drive into the garage in another Audi. They managed to start my car without breaking any of the doors or windows. It took them less than five minutes, so they were in and out before they had to pay for parking. 

They exited the garage with both cars close together so they could get out in one go before the barrier arm came down. The police said the way they stole my car is very common nowadays. 

I would have thought that would only be the case in public parking garages. That’s why I pay extra for my parking spot in the first place! 

What state was your car in when you found it?

The thieves had tinted the windows, spray-painted the wheels, and changed the license plates in just a few hours. 

The engine was fine, but they must have tried tinkering with something under the hood, which had prompted the Metromile alert earlier. 

The interior was full of trash and all of the tools you would need to steal cars, like power tools and batteries. There was a cell phone, computer parts, and some people’s identification cards. Thankfully I hadn’t left many personal items or valuable items in the backseat, so I’m really lucky. 

It was pretty inconvenient and feels a little violating, but it could have been much worse had I not had Metromile. 

Having gone through this, what advice do you have for other occasional drivers like yourself?

My tip for other drivers out there: even if you have covered parking, beware. 

Without the help of the Metromile app, I wouldn’t have gotten my car back. Metromile has saved me money, and now, having recovered my car, I love it even more!

The bottom line

As Isabel learned, things can happen to your car, even when you’re not driving much, or take precautions like purchasing covered parking in a garage. This is why it’s important to have the right amount of auto insurance coverage for your lifestyle and budget.

Metromile has reunited drivers with their lost or stolen vehicles. We even boast a 90% stolen vehicle recovery rate as of the end of February 2021.

Not sure if Metromile is a fit for you? 
Take a Ride Along™ to try before you buy. Download the Metromile app and get a free auto insurance quote. You’ll keep your current coverage and drive as you typically would for about two weeks. Then, we’ll consider your actual driving to provide you with an accurate rate. You could even save up to an additional 15% off your quote in select states for your safe driving.

It can be tough to find the best car insurance for mature drivers or retirees. Car insurance tends to get more expensive as drivers get older, and seniors drive more miles than they have before.

This is not the case for Washington state resident Dennis L. Dennis and his wife who switched from their traditional insurer of 27 years to Metromile’s pay-per-mile car insurance more than two years ago. Now, the 70 year old retiree is helping to clear up some common misconceptions about new types of car insurance. 

As a seasoned driver, what prompted you to shop around for car insurance? 

A few years ago, my wife and I moved from Seattle to a small town where everything is within walking distance. After a few months, we realized we really weren’t driving as much anymore, so I got in touch with my insurance agent. I wanted to see if they could re-rate our cars, given our lower usage. But when I received the new rate breakdown, they explained they simply couldn’t rate us both to reflect the low-mileage and one car had to be priced as “standard” high-mileage usage. 

I used to own an insurance agency years ago, so I understand how insurance rating works. I just thought there has to be a way that car insurance can be done honestly. So I started investigating alternate auto insurance options, and I came across Metromile. 

Did you know how pay-per-mile auto insurance would fit your lifestyle? 

Though most months, our mileage is pretty minimal, we do like to take one road trip a year. I had some hesitation that we would get penalized for long trips, but I was pleased to see that there is a cap for miles driven in a day. With that, I thought it would be worth trying out. With Metromile, we’ve saved about $70 a month for coverage on our two cars, and I know that we’re paying a fair price. 

How has pay-per-mile car insurance affected your budget?

Not only am I saving on my insurance bill, but since I drive my car so infrequently, I only buy gas once a month. 

Another side benefit of paying by the mile is that I find myself planning my driving. If I know I’m going to be out, I can tie a few errands together instead of making separate trips during the week. Good for my bill and good for the environment!

Why should people switch to pay-per-mile car insurance?

Especially with this year and seeing how things have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, other insurers aren’t able to keep up with adjusting ratings based on changes in usage. Metromile can. 

I think the biggest selling point is that you can “get it and forget it.” I know I’m covered and can rest assured knowing that my bill will self-adjust to changes in my driving habits. Metromile keeps me rated accurately, automatically. I don’t have to get in touch with an agent since you already know how I drive. And it’s more than just the price. The responsiveness of the customer service agents, especially when I’ve needed roadside assistance and filed claims, has been great. 

I can’t even tell you the number of people we’ve recommended Metromile to because they’re in a similar situation to us. I’ve shared a couple of my own testimonials on Facebook and Twitter and have some family members who are interested in switching car insurance. The only complaint is that they live in states where you don’t offer coverage yet!

The Top 5 Misconceptions About Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance, According to Dennis

The bottom line

If you don’t drive frequently or are looking for a new way to save on car insurance, Metromile might be right for you. People who don’t drive very far can save hundreds of dollars when they switch to pay-per-mile auto insurance. For more per-mile mythbusting, check here.

Not sure if Metromile is a fit for you? Take a Ride Along with us to get a free quote based on your actual driving and see how much you could save — no strings attached.