Making the Most of a Long Commute

Community Manager — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:34:00 GMT

Long commute got you down? You're not alone. The average American commutes almost 50 minutes a day says the Census Bureau. And the number of "super-commuters," who live far outside a metropolitan area, but commute in for work is growing fast.

Commuting isn't fun, virtually everyone agrees. In fact Time Magazine last year ran a health piece called Why Commuting Sucks the Life Out of You which cited all sorts of depressing statistics including the fact that couples facing long commutes have higher divorce rates than those without.

While long commutes, often in crowded conditions, will never make anyone's list of a good time, we've rounded up some tips to make commuting more bearable and perhaps even productive.

Finish up Work: Technology means commuting time can be used to finish up work that might otherwise cut into home time. Laptops let you send emails, proof reports or read documents. Bluetooth technology allows for hands-free meetings from inside your car.

Get to that Book: Reading is probably one of the most popular commuting pastimes and e-books, read on the slim iPad or e-readers, makes reading even the weightiest tome manageable. Car commuters can get in the action with audio books. Or collect useful articles in your e-reader for subway or train perusal.

Advance Your Career: Use your commute time to fit networking into your busy schedule. Update your LinkedIn profile; send networking e-mails to industry contacts and schedule future lunch and drinks dates with peers. Keep abreast of industry trends by reading useful articles or listening to podcasts. If you commute in the car, use your hands-free device to schedule calls with your mentors.

Scheme, Daydream: Downtime is a rare commodity. While you may not have chosen a long commute, you're stuck with it, so make the most of the idle hour to let your mind wander. Keep a notebook handy or download a note-taking app on your smart phone to jot down any inspiration that strikes.

Unwind: Can't find time to get to that crossword puzzle? Squeeze in a nap? Download that new album and play it from start to finish? You're in luck - you're commute provides a window of time to devote to the little leisure pursuits that you enjoy. Hey, it's not 18-holes of golf but it's a start!

How do you make the most out of your commute? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Green Your Commute

Community Manager — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:57:00 GMT

Tired of being stuck in morning traffic? With an estimated 123 million plus commuters in the U.S., getting to and from work can be more than just a travel headache: commuting adds up to major environmental and economic costs. Interested in decreasing your commuting carbon footprint or in saving on personal commuting costs? You're not alone: across the U.S. there is a growing emphasis on greener commuting. We've assembled a primer on some wallet friendly and environmentally sound commuting options.

Carpooling:

A whopping 33 million gallons of gas could be saved each day in the U.S. if single drivers doubled or tripled up with colleagues. The American Automobile Association estimates the costs of driving a mile with a car to be 54 cents or $27.50 per day for a 50-mile round trip ride. Ka-ching! That's $6,924 a year before tolls and parking. Ready to ride share? Here are five online resources to get you started and an article on carpool etiquette to make it seamless.

Ridesearch.com: Helps commuters find safe, secure ride shares.
eRideShare.com: Nationwide listing of ride share possibilities.
Craigslist.com: Location specific ride share search function.
CarpoolConnect.com: Helps local carpoolers find each other.
RideSharedirectory.com: Nationwide directory of ride share sites.

Car-sharing:

Car-sharing, a twist on the more traditional carpooling, is growing in popularity. Car-sharing allows people who have only periodic need of a vehicle to take a stake in communally used cars. For commuters who regularly cycle or use mass transit to get to work, or for two-car famiies looking to downsize, a stake in a car-share co-op allows a car to be used from time to time. For more on this option, read Sustainable Commuting: Car-Share Co-op a Possibility and to locate car-shares in your area visit www.carshare.net.

Cycling:

In many parts of the world, bikes are common sources of transportation. From Beijing to Paris, bikes are a healthy, inexpensive and readily accessible source of transportation. For more information on commuting by cycling and bike sharing, visit www.theurbancountry.com, www.bikecommuters.com and www.bicylcinglife.com.

Mass Transit:

If you are lucky enough to live in a city or suburb with mass transit, you can put the car keys down with confidence, knowing that reliable transportation is at hand. Not sure if mass transit is for you? Visit this web site to calculate the savings cost of leaving the car in the park and to identify transit options in your neighborhood. The site also has terrific tips on maximizing mass transit to reap big cost savings.

Do you have a "green" commute? How do you work cycling or carpooling into your day-to-day commute? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

by Carly Fadako

Beyond Folders : commuting

Making the Most of a Long Commute

Green Your Commute