Buying a Car

There are people out there who can just say, “Oh, this car is great, I’ll take it” and casually buy a luxury car, but for most of us, I think buying a car is something you do with a certain amount of resolve.

The used BMW 320i (MT) I bought last year cost just under 2.5 million yen, which isn’t a huge amount compared to a new Porsche or the like, but even so, when I decided to buy it, my heart was pounding.

I wondered if I could manage the repayments (especially with some business-related loans still outstanding)… I thought maybe I should redirect money I used to spend on other things toward repayments…

I had all sorts of thoughts. But now, I truly feel, “I’m so glad I took the plunge and bought it back then.”

Because I got used to driving a manual transmission car, which I had been so uncomfortable with, and now I can drive Boxsters and GT3s with ease, which has broadened my world.

Also, I was reminded once again of the joy of “being able to do what you couldn’t before,” and I’ve come to want to keep challenging myself every year, even if it’s just in small ways.

Not Just About Cars

Taking the plunge to spend money isn’t just about buying a car; it applies to many other situations as well. Looking back on my life, starting my own business was like that too.

When I put all my savings into the business account as capital, I was really nervous.

I took a step forward with no guarantee of success or failure, and I realized I couldn’t turn back now. Could I pay salaries and still make a living?

I had many thoughts like that. In reality, I ran the business for 10 years but didn’t achieve the results I hoped for, and at one point my confidence hit rock bottom. But the experience I gained was priceless and strengthened my foundation, so I have no regrets.

Traveling and homestays during my student days were similar. I thought, “I’ll have to start from scratch and save money again by working part-time,” but by spending boldly, I gained invaluable experiences.

When you challenge something, it’s rare that you have 100% of the money, time, and know-how all lined up perfectly. Usually, something is missing, and you have to go for it anyway. Whether you say “I can’t do it because I don’t have the money” or you put your thinking cap on and invest boldly can have a huge impact on your life going forward.

Of course, saving money is important, and I want to avoid wasteful spending. There were times when I wanted to spend but simply couldn’t. But instead of stubbornly keeping my wallet tightly closed, I believe life changes when you “spend when it really counts.”

Buying a Porsche Means Stepping on Life’s Accelerator

My husband often says,

Every time he buys a car, he worries, “If I buy this, my monthly loan payments will go up… I hope it’s okay,” and does all kinds of financial calculations. But that also motivates him: “I’ll work harder and earn more so that even if the loan increases, it won’t hurt me at all.”
So for him, buying a car is a huge motivator for his work.
That said, when he first bought a new Boxster, he was really nervous. But now he feels like he’s figured out the cycle of “work hard to pay -> increase income -> can pay.”
For him, it’s about the “car” and the “Porsche,” but it could be anything else — a watch, shoes, or a house. Depending on your mindset, pushing yourself a little to buy something can end up positively impacting your life and work.
He could live a peaceful life saving money without buying a Porsche, but since life is short, he wants to enjoy it more and do what he loves.
So he steps on the accelerator to actively live his life. One way he does that is by buying a Porsche.

My husband loves cars and is truly a “No Car, No Life” kind of person, so I think he sees buying a car not as “consumption” but as “an investment in life.” He also often says this:

You don’t have to do something as big as “boldly buying a Porsche” — I think the idea of investing money in something is really important.
I often think about this when I see the ATM lines the day after payday. They’re long, especially during lunch break. People waste their lunch break waiting in line.
But if you look at the ATM at the convenience store next door, no one’s waiting. You pay a small fee, about 100 yen, but you can withdraw money quickly and make better use of the rest of your lunch break.
I used to be like this too, but when I was in line, all I thought was “I don’t want to waste the fee,” and I never thought about using that 100 yen to buy my own time. In a broad sense, that’s also an investment.
I’m not saying you should waste money or never stand in line at an ATM, but whether you can think like this or not is really important for your work life.

Listening to that, I couldn’t help but think, “I’m so stingy trying to keep my ATM withdrawals to three times a month to avoid fees with my online bank…” lol

Everyone has different views, so I don’t think there’s a single “right answer.” But at the very least, spending money with a healthy mindset can motivate you to earn more and seriously think about how to earn and work, so it often ends up being a positive thing in life, I thought listening to my husband.

Alright, I’ll do my best too!