I’m Out

Cars and watches and clothes and all the stuff we’re encouraged to buy, buy, buy …count me out. I’m NOT doing it any more.

Yes, I bought into it (literally …I ‘bought’ into it) …I’ve had the sleepless nights waiting for the next version of whatever it is that I’m fixated upon.

Then it arrives …and I’m already looking at the next one.

Duuuh.

At some point you begin to release that the new model going 0.1 second faster to 60mph than the previous one … is actually not reeeeeaaaaalllly going to make that much difference to your daily commute.

Also, with police and speed cameras watching everything that you do… every second of the day – there’s really no point in having anything other than a car capable of getting you from A to B …within the speed limit.

….and with the way that the government is cracking down on the motorist with every tax hike imaginable …is it even worth owning a car?

Even electric cars are now going to be taxed.

New cars over a certain value are going to be crucified on first year road tax (I’m seeing £5800.00 in year one?) …and then hit yearly with higher tax, if your engine size is over a certain capacity.

I’m sure within the very near future, fuel costs will escalate to unreasonable levels to discourage use on a daily basis …?

I’m also sure that the car industry will begin to feel the pain as car owners start to respond by opting out of buying these bloody things.

I have always been a car lover and have had my fair share of ‘super cars’ …but I cannot justify it any more.

I’m getting older and maybe a small amount wiser, and I am realising that the number of cars on the road plus the number of speed cameras equals a world where driving is no longer a pleasure.

The final ‘Cherry on the cake’ was my recent insurance quote for a new vehicle that I was considering, came in at over £7800.00* ….add this to my wife’s car and both my daughters cars and I’m looking at over £15K a year …just for insurance.

(*Admittedly, I have been banned a couple of times for speeding so the insurance isn’t really a shock…also I will point out that I’ve never had to claim on the policy and all indiscretions were minor infringements of limits).

I think one of the base level emotions that these purchases bring to us is all down to ego – catering to our desire to be ‘one up’ on our neighbour. Newer car, more horse power, better engine noise, more gadgets …mines bigger than yours.

It’s all down to coveting what the guy on Instagram has got…

Coveting – there’s a good word.

Imagine a world where there’s no ‘coveting’ – maybe it would be a better place to live?

Maybe we should all do less coveting?

I’m starting today.

Hang on was that a V8 that just went past …😬

  

Mike C