Free $40,000 Audi

Last year, I purchased a 2016 car which is new compared to the 2004 I was driving previously. I saved and saved my money, I even used a huge chunk of my tax return to put towards paying the car cash – I was completely against the idea of making payments for the next 5 years. I was blessed enough, even during a pandemic to be able to pay cash for my car – such a huge accomplishment, however there were minor cosmetic issues that the dealership agreed to fix for me.

I went months and months, going back and forth dealing with the BMW dealership to get these things fixed – finally, they reached out after a small claims threat, and they had me pick any car on the lot to rent. They had a 2020 Audi, which of course I could not pass up. I had the car for a week – the smoothest ride ever. I found myself in the car daydreaming about what actually owning this car would look like. I drove different, I wont lie I felt different. I was on a small high for a week wanting to drive everywhere just so I could be seen in it.

I was so bummed after I had to drop it off, the lady that helped with my car made a comment about how it was such an upgrade from my car. She was not wrong, but it made me take a step back and confront something in myself – my focus. My focus was all wrong. While realistically I could purchase the Audi, I am not in a place where that would be the smartest move. I needed to remind myself, during that entire week my mind had been on the temporary and what was right in front of me instead of reminding myself that I am making short term sacrifices for the future rewards. While driving around in an Audi would be enjoyable for this time, being debt free, owning land as well as property would be even better. I needed to remind myself that material possessions do not define me, because at some point in my near future they will be easily accessible. I needed to remind myself that one day I will not need those expensive items to show off what I can buy because I plan to be so well off it will not matter.

Many times when I speak like this to friends or family they tell me that I should be more ‘humble’ because I do not know where I am going to be – while this is partially true, Russ reminds us in his book that the definition of humble is not one we want to be tied to who we are. Humble is “showing low estimate of one’s importance”, nah that isn’t me. I want to believe in myself and my goals to the extent of being able to walk around saying, one day I WILL have this or one day I WILL be completely financially secure. Why are we taught to lower the view we have on ourselves for the comfort of those around us?

Make what they are telling you is unrealistic, very much real and possible.

What are some things you could do to change the negative view you may have of yourself?