Probably because of the vast distances, ride sharing is taking off in Australia in a big way. Not only is it a great way to lessen your carbon footprint, but it’s a convenient way to save money on gas - as long as you are willing to take a punt on your company. What is ride sharing exactly? Think of ride sharing as a more formal and organised way to hitch hike. Companies like Coseats enable people to find others that are heading to the same geographical areas at or around the same time. To find a ride simply visit the site and enter basic information like your starting point, final destination, and department time. The website pairs this information with other “like” drivers and then you decide the next steps. Ride sharing has proven to be a very safe and secure mode of transportation. Most sites only require you to enter your first name and allow you to communicate via secured channels so more personal information, like your email and home address is kept confidential. And you can often talk or meet with the driver before committing to the trip, allowing you to get a sense for one another. As an added feature, some sites have rating capabilities where other passengers and drivers can give feedback about individuals that have taken advantage of ride sharing before. Coseats also feature campervans that need to be returned to their originating city. You can often rent these for next to nothing and get some fuel thrown in as well. If you are looking for a cheap way to get across the country or you are moving interstate, someone like Coseats is really worth a look.Image: Soloviova Liudmyla/Shutterstock