The car is your haven before you go to work. It can also be your cage when you are stuck in traffic for several hours a day and then still have an entire work day ahead of you. Don’t let traffic ruin your day, and don’t let your daily commute take away the joys of driving. It’s time to put those extra hours you are in your car to good use.

1. It All Starts with a Great Car

There are some amazing used cars for sale out there. You don’t have to splurge all your hard-earned money on a purchase – because that is what buying a new car is, a purchase. Buying a used car will always be more of an investment because you’ve saved yourself from the instant depreciation that occurs the second you drive a new car off the lot.

Save your money for better things. Save your money to have a wonderful after-work life with your family and friends, or a vacation.

2. Make Friends Along the Way

The relationships that you make at work will carry with you for a long time. This is especially important if you want to expand your social circle at work (for after-work purposes, of course) or if you are new to the company. Carpooling is a smart solution. You will get to know and befriend people who live near you, and who work in the same place as you. You will be able to save money on the fuel as well!

3. Stop Listening to the Radio

The radio can, frankly, be very annoying. It is also not going to play your favorite songs. Taking some time out beforehand to create your own playlist is a great way to get you pumped for work. Music therapy is a real thing – it can soothe you, make you calm, or it can energize you. Have a few playlists to choose from, depending on your mood. You might need some slow music to calm you down from road rage or happy, lively music to wake you up until the caffeine kicks in.

4. Multitask While Driving

Keep your hands on the wheel! This is another suggestion on what you can listen to while you commute to work. There are playlists and audiobooks that can entertain or, even better, teach you something new. The best pursuit in life is learning. You don’t have to be a student or work in a university to continue your pursuit of knowledge.

You can adopt some very productive habits on your daily commute. As a driver, however, you need to stick with what you can hear, rather than what you can read.

5. Explore the City

By commuting at off-peak times, you’re bound to miss most of the traffic. With that extra time, you can get a nice breakfast, or even explore the city that your company is located in. Take this time to do something fun!

Your daily commute can be productive. You can make new friends, learn something new, or simply mentally prepare yourself for the busy day ahead. Saving money on your commute is also a great way to improve your after-work life so that you have a healthy balance. Your commute doesn’t have to be a nightmare – it can be an oasis!