The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
- Sun Tzu -
I've been working up to a decision over the last little while and I'm close to finalising the path forward. Like most decisions, others will follow the initial one however as I mentioned in this post one must know the destination before one can begin the journey.
I've owned four wheel drive vehicles for a long time, most have been pickup trucks. Here in Australia they're called ute's which is short for utility vehicle. I believe, in South Africa, they're called a bakkie, which I think is a cool name, but I like term pickup truck, or just truck the best. Anyway, currently I don't have one.
My current four wheel drive is a wagon, a Toyota LandCruiser V8. I love it as it's a very capable vehicle and have dubbed mine, Big Dog. Mainly because it's BIG but also...well, I guess just because it's big.
The problem is that there's no bed-section which limits the loads one can carry. It's not been an issue as I have a trailer I can use when picking things up and when I'm off camping I have an off-road camper trailer but when I'm doing things around the house and need to pick up loads it's not as convenient as having a pickup truck. So I've been contemplating buying a new one.
I've not come to a decision on whether it's the right thing to do as yet, mainly because it'll mean I'm running three vehicles: Big Dog, my town car and the pickup truck. This means three sets of insurance, registration, servicing and maintenance costs and...I can only drive one at a time. The thing is though...well, why not right? I work hard, very hard in fact, and have done so all my life to have a chance to live life as well as I can so...why not?
Working through want or need
My decisions, especially those that come with financial repercussions, are always categorised into one of two columns after a period of deliberation. Do I want it or do I need it?
I'm a disciplined man and have had an upbringing, and life, that left me with good head for handling money and finance matters. I don't wastage though and buying for the sake of buying, so I generally apply the simple want or need question and act commensurate to the answer I come up with.
Many times I've come up with a want it answer which means the purchase isn't something I really need and so many times I've decided not to make the purchase based on that simple fact although I have sometimes given in to the want-factor and gone ahead with the purchase in any case. Applying the question doesn't always end in a black and white decision as many factors come into play, like with this new pickup purchase, however a lot of the time the process means I make a better decision, more informed and responsible.
I may not like the decision because a person's want-emotion can be incredibly strong, mine included, but I stick by my decisions, or take time with them and approach them carefully.
Pictured is the last pickup truck I owned. It was a highly modified and accessorised Ford pickup and I loved it. The places I went in that thing and the moments it permitted me to experience are nothing short of amazing. I loved it in a, love my vehicle, sort of way, not romantically and when I moved it on, and replaced it with Big Dog, I did so reluctantly and with some regret. I'm paying the price now as I want another one. [Hmm, I just said want. Is this an omen?]
I'm not sure what I'll do yet; for now I'm working through want and need deliberations, running scenarios through my mind, determining potential usage and weighing that up against the costs involved. I've crunched numbers as far as on-road and running costs go and it's that which I'm stuck on; cost over benefit. I'm leaning a particular way, I'll be honest, but I'll ponder some more and when I decide will be content with it and move on with confidence.
How do you work through financial or life decisions? Does want overpower need, is it the other way or more balanced between both? I'm keen to hear about your process if you're willing to share. If not then that's fine too.
Thanks for reading.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
The image is mine and not for your use