A matter of economics
I realised recently that I mostly buy stuff coz I like to have the option of using them if I ever want to. I like having the option of wearing different kinds of shoes with different outfits, using different kinds of bags for different kinds of occasions, putting on different kinds of accessories to create different kinds of looks. I'm all about options.
I do have routines for certain things; hitting the snooze button n number of times in the morning, for example :D After all, in many ways, we are all creatures of habit. But sometimes I just like to have options.
Even when it comes to going to work... so far, I don't have a routine. If I'm early, I take the bus; if I'm late, I drive. Otherwise, if I have an appointment after work -- like, say, I'm meeting a friend for dinner -- I park my car at the LRT station and take the train into town. Then when I get back, I collect my car and zoom off to my appointment venue.
I've been toying with the idea of driving to work and giving up on public transport altogether. Traffic isn't as bad as I initially envisioned it might be, and I can get to work within half-an-hour in the mornings. Going home usually takes longer, but what the heck, I'm in a comfortable car, air-cond vent blowing right at me, plenty of room, nobody jostling me, soothing music wafting from the speakers... who cares about a little bitty traffic jam?! :P
Unfortunately, it makes better economic sense to take public transport. Driving is just a wee bit more expensive.
I was hashing this out with my housemate Dion last night over dinner. Personally, I couldn't care less about the extra expense, but that's just how I am. I always prefer to go for comfort & convenience even if it were to cost a little more. (As long as it's 'a little more', and not 'a lot'!!)
But I was thinking of Mom & Dad, how they've always been so frugal, how it is a way of life for them, being disciplined and sticking through minor inconveniences, making small sacrifices, denying themselves little luxuries here and there... how 'a penny saved is a penny earned', and that if I go on this way, I'm NEVER gonna be like my parents, and maybe driving would be an unnecessary waste of money.
"Then don't drive," Dion said.
"But driving makes me happy!" I wailed. And it does, actually. I enjoy driving. Plus, for some inexplicable reason, taking public transport is more tiring, despite the fact that all I do is stand in an LRT and get squashed left, right & centre!
I keep thinking that surely God can't be that hung up on the issue of whether or not I drive to work. I can see my parents making some noise about it, but I just can't see God getting all worked up over it. Would I really be acting irresponsibly with the money I have if I were to drive to work? Why do I torture myself by worrying about everything this way?!