Let me share something with you. I always had a car since uni, actually had in just before I
ORD-ed. It was a Jap car. It was special driving to school back then when less than 5% of the school's population (my time) had a car. Felt really good and I had no shortage of attention. Being in
NTU and having a car means that for those living in hostel, you are their "ticket" out for supper. No shortage of friends.
The car became my source of confidence. A self reassuring tool that made me feel that I was successful. When I graduated, I didn't earn much. Still, I mantained my car and bought season parking in CBD. It cost me $450 per month. But I felt good telling my colleagues I drove to work and sometimes I drive them out for lunch. Again, the car was my ticket to feeling good.
Then it escalates. I sold my JP car and bougth a continental car last year. Cost me almost S$200k. I used all my work savings and took a 7-yr car loan. My monthly expense drains me almost $2k+ (loan + petrol + season parking). I save $500-700 a month only.
In the eyes of alot of my colleagues and friends... I'm a high flyer. I'm doing well. I don't know how long this fascade can continue. I can't afford a house. I'm single, late 20s, living with my parents.
I've only my
CPF and less than $10k savings. If I get married, it would be a 4RM
hdb flat for me.
Living the SG dream... still.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Some are BS but many are true, just that u don't hear the sacrifice behind the wealth stories. I have two private properties at early 30s but don't own a car and squish with FTs on the MRT, steam in the bus stop under the sun, splash puddles and carry groceries by foot across the overhead bridges while admiring the BMWs and Mercs that stream by.
Don't know how long I can carry on without car. Feel a bit too old to wait at bus stop and sit on the bus ... reminder of penniless student days when I dreamt about owning condos. But the scrooge side of me maintains that I should be crazy to spend such a lot good money on this depreciating asset that I can use for only ten years. So I carry on day by day admiring the big cars.
I am sure that those who made big bucks also made some sacrifices in their young days, but u don't hear it. And, there will always be those who are lucky and smart.... inherited wealth, plum jobs straight out of school. |