Money Creates Options
I dropped my SUV off at a local shop this afternoon to get some work done. This relatively normal part of life reminded me once again why I strive so hard to take good care of my finances. The thought of dropping some money into one of our vehicles was not what triggered these thoughts we’re okay in that department…now. What actually triggered these thoughts was strapping my beautiful 18 month old daughter’s car seat into a rental car that I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever pick to own myself. This lovely little piece of scrap metal would likely get totaled if it hit a curb not to mention what would happen in if I was unfortunate enough to find myself ramming head on into another car with some actual weight behind it.
So what does driving this piece of rented junk have to do with personal finance? Well it reminded me that control of your money gives you options that you might not otherwise have. It showed me that one of the fruits of my hard work is the ability to drive a safe, reliable and not to mention comfortable, PT Cruiser smashing 4×4 SUV. True this option may not be everybody’s preference but after seeing my little girl stare at me through the window of a paper thin rented rear door as we prepared to jump into rush hour traffic I remembered why money and the options it creates are important to me. If I keep working hard and managing my money well, hopefully I will have the option to never, ever, ever, ever have to own this little toy car for more than a day or two and even then it would be still be an option.
Money gives you options for cool things like schools, cars, health care, the option to leave a job, the neighborhood your family lives in, what kind of beer to drink, options how you spend your time, and more options to help those around you (broke people can’t help poor people much). When you’re in debt your choices may be greatly limited do to the burden the debt brings into your life. Sorry but I’m willing to spend some money on things that are truly important to me and I’m glad I now have more of those options. So I’ll continue to work to keep my options open for many reasons. Please excuse me now…I have a rented PT Cruiser to jump
So if you had no debt and a stash of money in the bank what options would you take advantage of? Here’s one of mine.
...."so when I got home we had a talk and decided this money situation had to change. I didn’t know how I was going to change it, we were barely making enough money to cover the monthly payments so how the H-E-double-hockey-sticks was I going to fix it?"
Amen brother! And most important, it gives me the option to shop at Nordstrom.
1Someday i want to buy a tank and drive it at rush hour!!!! Yeah! GET SOME!!!!!
2Now thats one option I don’t know if money can buy…though I like it!
3You are right; every individual has different preferences and/or priorities. Although I do like the freedom of having the titles to 3 of our vehicles, I also love the reliability of my newer vehicle purchased for its versatility and my 60+ mile commute. To me, that security & peace of mind justifies the small payment that I make. Personally I prefer a low interest payment well within my budget (a budget that actually includes saving & investing) on a new car vs. the gamble on the unknown & maintenance that comes with having a previously owned (driven how? maintained how?) vehicle as my primary driver. Too many years of that as my only option with way too many visits to the shop, which are rarely planned, but always inconvenient. I suppose now “new” is a more a luxury choice since we do have extra vehicles, each of those purchased for separate purposes, some for enjoyment, some practical; including a paid for, 2008 toy, scrap metal, car with great gas mileage for commuting
But I like knowing that I have options of my own available, as well as the ability to help folks that we care about, in various ways when they need it. Money, combined with the sound use of it and my credit has given me many options at this point in my life. I prefer to use them together & it works for me….for now. Been around long enough to know it can change easily enough, good & bad. That’s just my 2 cents worth, or more like a nickel, not for self inflated value, just the rambling length!
4