I'm not trying to be funny or sarcastic. I truly believe in this.
And one day, I'm going to own a Mercedes.
And maybe you have something you've always wanted. A Birkin's bag? Absolutely nothing wrong with it.
As what I always say. It's about balance and knowing your limits.
So one day, I'm going to own a Mercedes. Not that I love Mercedes. I just think kinda cool to own one. You know all the successful uncles always have one. Not a BMW. I'm not a BMW kinda guy. I'm the old uncle kind. My final optimal car would probably be a Toyota Camry. But yes I would like to have owned a Mercedes once in my life.
So how would I do it? Well it's simple. I'm going to get myself an old car. Duhz? Did you think I was going to get a new Merc which would cost like SGD300k? An old Merc would cost something like SGD20k for 2 years remaining or something to that extent.
Currently, we have a car to send my wife to an isolated area in Singapore for work. My current car expense, all in, including depreciation, insurance, everything, is SGD1200 per month. The Merc would probably push it up to something like SGD1500 per month for 2 years.
Ok so it's maybe an increase in SGD10k expense over a 2 year period. Not cheap. But also not ridiculously exorbitant. Or I could just own it for 1 year. Whatever. Point I'm trying to make is. There may be some things in life which you would really want to try. And by all means, try it. But have limits. Truly, YOLO. But that doesn't mean you have to buy everything under the Sun. And you don't have to buy the newest one. But once again, it's up to you to decide on how to define your goals and desires. I'm willing to accept an old Merc. Others may not.
Same as a Birkin's bag. You could get a SGD20k one or a leather SGD100k one. Or you could get a second hand one. Or you could settle for a Kelly. Whatever.
(For your information, there's no such thing as a wait list at Hermes. It's a lie which Hermes has been propagating. They want people to believe that there's a queue. There is NO queue. They sell it to people whom they think deserve to be sold a Birkin.)
So as always it's about balance. I would like to go to USA again. Or Europe again. But doesn't mean I have to go every 2 years. I've been to USA once when I was young and Europe recently. But my next trip maybe 5, 10 years later. So some desires are fine. Just balance them out. Nothing wrong with wanting some cool trophies and experiences to talk about. Life is all about experiences and stuff that you fill it with. But if you get used to going to USA or Italy, then that's a different matter.
Like if you buy one bag then another then another. Or if I get an old Merc, then suddenly desire a new one, or want to try owning a BMW after that. Or if after travelling to California, I decide that I want to visit a different US state every year. Once the desires get out of hand then it's a downward spiral. But if you're able to balance your desires. Then these cool bits are fun to obtain and every once in a while you get a new experience to look back upon when you're older. Cos when you're older, it's really these small unique experiences that count.
BUT I won't get the Merc if I don't need a vehicle. Meaning, if my wife doesn't need transport to her work anymore then the car will have to go.
And get stuff which you value. Not just everything just cos you can. Like I don't value a country club membership. Some people would love to be a member once in their lives, for me, I don't. And I don't desire a BMW or Audi. I don't desire to eat at a Michelin starred restaurant even though I enjoy food.
(FYI - Michelin Stars are given to the restaurant. Not the chef. The grading for Michelin Stars is based on overall restaurant feel and food, ie, food, service ambiance. Chefs tend to "brand" themselves as Michelin starred chefs cos it's good for business at their other outlets. But that's not the way the stars work.)
I've eaten at some expensive fancy restaurants before, and after a few experiences, came to the conclusion that the price/value ratio was unacceptable to me. Usually a Michelin starred or any fancy restaurant would serve basic food cooked well with impeccable service and whatever. This could cost something like SGD300. I would prefer to use this SGD300 and eat some premium food at 3 different occasions at places, and I would get stuff like lobsters, crabs, steak, etc.
Hmmm... Maybe I'll climb Mt. Fuji one day.
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