I can also own a Mini Cooper, if i want to.

Financial matters have been one of my favourite subject. Currently, my friends are changing their car into a ‘higher status’ e.g. from Myvi to Vios. You get my point. They had been asking me why i haven’t join the bandwagon yet. I just smile and say i did think about it. Of course i did think about it. But i do have a different definition regarding the value of MY money.

Before i buy things/stuff, i will think whether it will bring any value for me or not and in accordance with what i think is important in my life. Do bear in mind that what i assume as value to my money might differ from what you assume as value for your money. All of us are brought up in a different background with various opinions regarding financial matters.

Case Study- Cars vs House/Home

I saw a Mercedes Benz around the apartment i’m renting right now. The apartment i’m staying is just a so-so place but not that bad. I was shocked to see a luxurious car in that area.

Assumption (about her)

- It was her bapak punya car. (The owner was a female)
- She bought it. Second hand.

- She works with the government.
- She is afraid to stay alone at home. Thus staying with a bunch of friends in that apartment.

Facts (about me)

- If my dad is rich and allowed me to drive his Benz, i would ask him to pay for my rental in

a more comfortable and spacious terraced house.
- If she is working and bought the car second hand. You and i know well know that Benz is

still expensive even though it’s not brand new. I’m not sure about the series but i can bet

my nose that it will still be around RM100k-RM200k. (The Benz is not the 1990s model.)

She (The Benz owner)

- Willing to pay at least RM2K for the car
- Will to pay RM200 for the room. (RM600 for the whole apartment- kongsi ramai-ramai

dengan kawan)
- Therefore, she puts more value towards her car.

Me (The kembara owner)

- If i was in her shoes, i would ask only for a Myvi. (RM5++ every month) It doesn't matter

whether it's from my dad or i buy it myself.
- BUT i would stay in a terraced house or a luxurious condo/penthouse. (RM1k to RM2k)

per month.
- Therefore, i put more value towards my home (Privacy and comfort)

See how our value differ from each other? I never say that i am right and she is wrong. That is why i never really wanted to change my car although i can easily buy a Vios or Honda City. (Car price within my budget range) Because i prefer to stay alone in a comfortable home without the need to fight with my housemate regarding cleanliness, food etc.

Most of my colleagues are staying in quarters while i am moving into my new permanent home soon. So stop pressuring me to buy a new car, for i have other priorities in life.

Notes:

During the previous Raya, there had been an issue about how some distant family likes to evaluate and judge us by the car we drive. So the issue of value for my money had been running inside my head for quite some time. until one day i saw the Benz in front of my apartment and this whole thing just come out of my head into a more systematic and understandable (does this word exist?)err.... data.

At last, i found the car that my dad used to owned when i was young. So...... 1980s. Nissan Fairlady Z series, sky blue in colour. It was not my favourite car because it was 'low' and i feel dizzy inside it. And the 2-door concept just turn me off. I still prefer my dad's Toyota Land Cruiser. The bad side of it? During banjir season, i can always go to school. Because 4WD can simply cruise along the shallow waters. I secretly envy my classmate who didn't come to school because of banjir excuse. Bah............ T____T