$400/year for parking? Wow, cry me a river. That is less than $2/day! Not that she shouldn't take the free transit (I receive free transit benefits, which save me a fortune on parking (try $15/day where I work), gas, aggravation, oh, and needing to have a car period), but that is pretty modest. From what you have described, it wouldn't surprise me if she has a daily cafe latte habit. Perhaps giving up one thing like that could offset the parking.