The used BMW 320i (MT) I bought last year cost just under 2.5 million yen, which isn\u2019t a huge amount compared to a new Porsche or the like, but even so, when I decided to buy it, my heart was pounding.<\/p>\n
I wondered if I could manage the repayments (especially with some business-related loans still outstanding)<\/span>\u2026 I thought maybe I should redirect money I used to spend on other things toward repayments\u2026<\/p>\n I had all sorts of thoughts. But now, I truly feel, “I\u2019m so glad I took the plunge and bought it back then<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Also, I was reminded once again of the joy of “being able to do what you couldn\u2019t before<\/strong>,” and I\u2019ve come to want to keep challenging myself every year, even if it\u2019s just in small ways.<\/p>\n Taking the plunge to spend money isn\u2019t just about buying a car; it applies to many other situations as well<\/strong>. Looking back on my life, starting my own business was like that too.<\/p>\n When I put all my savings into the business account as capital, I was really nervous.<\/p>\n I took a step forward with no guarantee of success or failure, and I realized I couldn\u2019t turn back now. Could I pay salaries and still make a living?<\/p>\n I had many thoughts like that. In reality, I ran the business for 10 years but didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Traveling and homestays during my student days were similar. I thought, “I\u2019ll have to start from scratch and save money again by working part-time<\/strong>,” but by spending boldly, I gained invaluable experiences.<\/p>\n When you challenge something, it\u2019s rare that you have 100% of the money, time, and know-how all lined up perfectly<\/strong>. Usually, something is missing, and you have to go for it anyway. Whether you say “I can\u2019t do it because I don\u2019t have the money<\/strong>” or you put your thinking cap on and invest boldly can have a huge impact on your life going forward.<\/p>\n Of course, saving money is important, and I want to avoid wasteful spending. There were times when I wanted to spend but simply couldn\u2019t. But instead of stubbornly keeping my wallet tightly closed, I believe life changes when you “spend when it really counts<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n My husband often says,<\/p>\n Every time he buys a car, he worries, “If I buy this, my monthly loan payments will go up\u2026 I hope it\u2019s okay,” and does all kinds of financial calculations. But that also motivates him: “I\u2019ll work harder and earn more so that even if the loan increases, it won\u2019t hurt me at all.<\/strong>” 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<\/strong>.” He also often says this:<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to do something as big as “boldly buying a Porsche” \u2014 I think the idea of investing money in something is really important. Listening to that, I couldn\u2019t help but think, “I\u2019m so stingy trying to keep my ATM withdrawals to three times a month to avoid fees with my online bank\u2026” lol<\/p>\n Everyone has different views, so I don\u2019t think there\u2019s 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<\/strong>, I thought listening to my husband.<\/p>\n Alright, I\u2019ll do my best too!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"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\u2019t a huge amount compared to a new Porsche or the like, but...","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":7501,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=17202"},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_5192-800x600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNot Just About Cars<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_9046-1280x853.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nBuying a Porsche Means Stepping on Life\u2019s Accelerator<\/h3>\n
\nSo for him, buying a car is a huge motivator for his work.
\nThat said, when he first bought a new Boxster, he was really nervous. But now he feels like he\u2019s figured out the cycle of “work hard to pay -> increase income -> can pay<\/strong>.”
\nFor him, it\u2019s about the “car” and the “Porsche,” but it could be anything else \u2014 a watch, shoes, or a house.<\/strong> Depending on your mindset, pushing yourself a little to buy something can end up positively impacting your life and work.
\nHe 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.
\nSo he steps on the accelerator to actively live his life.<\/strong> One way he does that is by buying a Porsche.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/DSC00578-1280x853.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nI often think about this when I see the ATM lines the day after payday. They\u2019re long, especially during lunch break. People waste their lunch break waiting in line.
\nBut if you look at the ATM at the convenience store next door, no one\u2019s 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.
\nI used to be like this too, but when I was in line, all I thought was “I don\u2019t want to waste the fee<\/strong>,” and I never thought about using that 100 yen to buy my own time. In a broad sense, that\u2019s also an investment.
\nI\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n