Financial Hack

I’ve stuck by my commitment to reducing costs by taking public transportation. Sure I’ve had a few problems including run-ins with transients, druggies, and intoxicated folks but my biggest problem seems to be me.

Based on the recommendations from readers and co-workers, I’ve made friends with the train drivers. It seemed like a very good idea to have an extra set of eyes watching out for me…

‘SEEMED’ is the operable word here.

If there is one thing reliable about public transport, it’s that it ALWAYS leaves on time. If I’m one minute late, I have to catch the next train. I’m usually on time but last week, a bad hair day slowed me down. I arrived at the station exactly on time but I still had to run down the platform – a task that usually takes 42 seconds. Not wanting to be forced to wait on a dark, scary platform for 15 minutes…

I ran.

I slid to a stop in front of the train door and slammed my fist on the door opener. The doors opened and I continued full speed into the train steps.

Yes. INTO the steps.

And then continued to embarrass myself by falling UP the stairs and onto the rubber floor. Didn’t know you could fall UP a set of stairs? Trust me, if there is a way to embarrass myself… I find it.

I sat face first on the floor for a couple seconds expecting the train to start moving forward but it didn’t move. Confused, I started to pick myself off the floor and glanced up…meeting the eyes of the train driver who was laughing so hard he had lost his breath.

‘I saw you running. I was waiting for you. No need to throw yourself at a train!’ he said laughing.

I had to endure snickers from the driver every time he opened the door to assist a handicapped passenger for the next 48 minutes of my commute.

Great. Like I need THAT kind of reputation.

All for saving money right?

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