I explained in my first ever blog back in 2014 that one of my motivations for blog writing was to commit to paper (so to speak) pearls of wisdom (oft simple) I had acquired over the years that had worked for me. This is one such - ha!
From time to time we all have to make decisions on things to buy (or perhaps more specifically which model to buy) - even if we are not particularly materialistic. Sometimes these are big ticket items - and a lot of angst can go into making the decision.
Recently I have been chatting to one of my sons regarding the purchase of a new car - to one of my brothers who is considering buying a camper van for retirement - and to my other brother who is thinking about buying a boat. (it is a massive coincidence that these conversations have come around at the same time - and the reader should only form the view that these type of purchases are exceptional - they are not the norm in the family - ha!)
Anyway the focus, as I say, has not been on what to purchase - the decision has been made in principle to buy a car , a camper van and a boat! The consideration - the decision - the angst - the stress - relates to what type of car, camper van and boat to buy because they obviously come in all sorts of guises with a myriad of different features (and prices).
Ok I am getting to point of the blog! I am taken back to a school oral exam when I was probably 14. I remember being sat outside the examiners room and being given 20 minutes to read a magazine article (on which I would be subsequently asked questions). The magazine was a car magazine and the article title was "which is the best". The article described the luxury of the Rolls Royce, the speed of a Ferrari, the nippiness of the Mini, the carrying capacity of a Volvo and the off road ability of a Land Rover etc. I go into the examiners room - and the million dollar panel question eventually comes - "so David which is the best car? ". I remember being confident with my answer because it was the thrust of the article - "it depends what you want it for!".
So you have guessed it! My simple advice - on which car on which camper van or boat to buy should primarily or at least largely be based on an evaluation of what you want to use it for - and which one best meets your actual need.
Buying decisions can be complex. We can be attracted by the pricing marketing strategy - for a little bit more you can get these features. For this extra I can get the larger model. It is a one off purchase - why don't I push the boat out so to speak - and go top of the range!
But extra features cost money. Extra features can add complication. Extra features can go wrong! Size costs. Size can be a an advantage - a disadvantage - it depend on what you intend to use it for.
There is no point buying a massive camper van equipped with every luxury under the sun - if it is for use in the windey lanes of Cornwall or for weekend use. It might be the right thing if you are going to tour Europe for 6 months. The boat decision - are you likely to be crossing the Channel in it. Will you be sailing singlehanded - are you looking forward to sailing up the muddy creeks of the south coast river estuaries. What is the point of acquiring a fast highly tuned car if it is for urban use?
So there we are - a simple thought. Focus on your actual intended use and you are more likely to make a good decision. You can always change the model if your needs change!
From time to time we all have to make decisions on things to buy (or perhaps more specifically which model to buy) - even if we are not particularly materialistic. Sometimes these are big ticket items - and a lot of angst can go into making the decision.
Recently I have been chatting to one of my sons regarding the purchase of a new car - to one of my brothers who is considering buying a camper van for retirement - and to my other brother who is thinking about buying a boat. (it is a massive coincidence that these conversations have come around at the same time - and the reader should only form the view that these type of purchases are exceptional - they are not the norm in the family - ha!)
Anyway the focus, as I say, has not been on what to purchase - the decision has been made in principle to buy a car , a camper van and a boat! The consideration - the decision - the angst - the stress - relates to what type of car, camper van and boat to buy because they obviously come in all sorts of guises with a myriad of different features (and prices).
Ok I am getting to point of the blog! I am taken back to a school oral exam when I was probably 14. I remember being sat outside the examiners room and being given 20 minutes to read a magazine article (on which I would be subsequently asked questions). The magazine was a car magazine and the article title was "which is the best". The article described the luxury of the Rolls Royce, the speed of a Ferrari, the nippiness of the Mini, the carrying capacity of a Volvo and the off road ability of a Land Rover etc. I go into the examiners room - and the million dollar panel question eventually comes - "so David which is the best car? ". I remember being confident with my answer because it was the thrust of the article - "it depends what you want it for!".
So you have guessed it! My simple advice - on which car on which camper van or boat to buy should primarily or at least largely be based on an evaluation of what you want to use it for - and which one best meets your actual need.
Buying decisions can be complex. We can be attracted by the pricing marketing strategy - for a little bit more you can get these features. For this extra I can get the larger model. It is a one off purchase - why don't I push the boat out so to speak - and go top of the range!
But extra features cost money. Extra features can add complication. Extra features can go wrong! Size costs. Size can be a an advantage - a disadvantage - it depend on what you intend to use it for.
There is no point buying a massive camper van equipped with every luxury under the sun - if it is for use in the windey lanes of Cornwall or for weekend use. It might be the right thing if you are going to tour Europe for 6 months. The boat decision - are you likely to be crossing the Channel in it. Will you be sailing singlehanded - are you looking forward to sailing up the muddy creeks of the south coast river estuaries. What is the point of acquiring a fast highly tuned car if it is for urban use?
So there we are - a simple thought. Focus on your actual intended use and you are more likely to make a good decision. You can always change the model if your needs change!
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