The year was 2010, and I was in the market for a new car.
I was a software developer at the time.
I made decent money for a 29-year-old.
And being single then, I had nothing to spend it on. It was literally burning a hole in my pocket.
So, one Saturday, I went to car dealerships.
I had my sights on the Ford Fusion. A standard, just-get-‘er-done type of car. Nothing special. But reliable. And cheap.
I went to a Ford dealership, test-drove it, and liked it.
It was $22,000. That would have been pretty easy for me to handle.
But something stopped me from buying it.
It just didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel “satisfied” with that car.
After all, I was a “highly-paid” software developer making good money.
Should I really be driving around in an… average car?
Then, I made a $20,000 mistake.
I went to a Cadillac dealership and test-drove a new CTS.
I’ll be honest, it was nice. But the Fusion was just as nice.
And the CTS price was $42,000, almost twice the cost of the Ford Fusion.
I started picturing myself driving around in a brand-new Caddy.
Window down. Shades on.
“Oh hell yeah, let’s do this!”
I bought the damn CTS.
Here’s the thing: I didn’t buy that car because I liked it better. I bought it because I liked the thought of driving around in a CTS.
And I paid twice as much for that car purely for vanity.
See, nobody’s perfect. I’m lecturing you guys about money and how to get rich, but I made stupid mistakes all the time.
There’s nothing wrong with driving a Caddy. That’s not the point.
The point is why I went $20,000 MORE in the hole…
…for a hunk of metal I liked just as much as one for half the price.
I was paying for the image I wanted to present of myself.
An image of “success.” Of being “rich.”
I’ve come a damn long way since 2010.
I’m married.
I’m financially free.
I’m now a published author.
I’ve learned a thing or two about what it means to be a millionaire.
And guess what?
Those folks driving around in exotic cars like Cadillacs, BMWs, Mercedes, and Jaguars aren’t necessarily rich. Or millionaires.
They probably earn a high income, but that’s different than being rich.
A lot of them are in debt.
Next time you see one of those cars, don’t envy them.
Instead, stay laser-focused on doing what’s best for you and your family.
Because that’s the only thing that will bring a smile to your face.
Not cars. Or jewelry. Or big homes.
It’s providing for your family.
Enjoy the rest of your 2023, and stay safe out there!
– Steve
