The Car Could Wait
For years, my husband and I didn’t own a car. Not because we couldn’t afford one—but because we didn’t really need it. While many people around us were quick to finance a vehicle right after university, we chose a different path: we saved our money, walked when we could, and relied on public transport.
If you’ve ever lived in Manila, you’ll understand—traffic there is terrible. (Trust me, I lived there for seven years!!) Depending on the time of day, it could take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour to get from our house to the office. So instead of stressing behind the wheel, we preferred to be passengers—close our eyes, get some rest, and let someone else navigate the chaos.
Rather than rushing into car ownership, we put our savings into something bigger: our first home. We bought our house in July 2022, just a few days before I turned 28. That house came before the car, and we knew we’d made the right call.
It was our first real investment. And funnily enough, we didn’t even move into it. Instead, we kept renting our humble little apartment for ₱6,000 a month, while renting out the house—a three-bedroom townhouse—for ₱23,000. That rental income was more than enough to cover the monthly mortgage.
Looking back, it was one of the smartest financial decisions we’ve made. And while it didn’t come with leather seats or that new car smell, it laid the foundation for everything else that followed.
When we moved to New Zealand, though, owning a car became more of a necessity than a luxury. AJ was given a ute (a pickup truck) for work, which we borrowed for running errands and groceries. But when we realized we wanted to explore more of the country—hikes, road trips, spontaneous weekends—we finally bought our first car: a secondhand Mazda CX-3. Hopefully, it’ll be our trusty companion for the next 10 years.
(Fun fact: Cars are often the biggest family expense that depreciates the moment you drive off the lot. Most new cars lose about 20–30% of their value within the first year. By year five, the average car will have lost around 60% of its original value. Source: iSeeCars, Edmunds)
Well, we’ve never been flashy people. I got my very first iPhone on my 30th birthday—and even then, it was a gift from AJ. Probably the most expensive birthday present he’s ever given me. I remember feeling giddy opening the box—not just because it was an iPhone, but because it symbolized all the “maybe laters” I’d told myself over the years. That patience made the gift even sweeter.
It’s the same story when it comes to luxury items. We don’t own any designer clothes, fancy shoes, or high-end bags. Don’t get me wrong—they’re beautiful to look at, like little works of art. And sure, I could technically buy one. But truthfully? I don’t think I can afford them just yet. Maybe one day—after we’ve bought our second home here in NZ—I’ll finally treat myself. *Fingers crossed, I win the lotto!*
For now, I’m happily rotating through my collection of practical pieces. Think more “functional and cute” than fashion runway.
Now, I'm not saying we never spend on anything. If we do splurge, it’s usually on food. Our one consistent luxury is a weekly dinner date—often somewhere cozy, maybe with a good steak, or just really solid dumplings. It’s never about the place or the price tag. It’s about carving out time, trying something new, and sharing a slow evening with someone I love. Those meals? Easily our favourite investment.
Sometimes I wonder when we started believing that success had to look expensive. That we needed to prove our worth through tags, trends, and upgrades. We scroll, we compare, we add to cart—and in the process, we forget what actually fills us up: peace of mind, time freedom, and unhurried dinners with people we care about.
Don’t get me wrong—I like nice things too. I love a good swim cap, a cozy hoodie, and the occasional flat white that costs more than I’d like to admit. But I want to spend on things that make sense for me. Not what the world tells me I need to prove I’ve “made it.”
At the end of the day, we want to build a life that feels good on the inside—even if it doesn’t always look flashy on the outside. One that’s steady, sustainable, and rooted in choices we’ll still be proud of ten years from now. That kind of wealth might not turn heads, but sure keeps our hearts at ease. đź’•
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