Pondering over idea of buying a car...

The week passed with thoughts of buying a car to make my working life a tad bit less tiring as i could then drive to work. So have been weighing the pros and cons for the past week, especially since i have more time to think about it during the breaks and lulls of the course i am attending.

An hour more sleep per working day sounds good, and so does the freedom to stay back late in office when i want or need to instead of having to catch the company shuttle bus out to Jurong East MRT at 2 scheduled times. And if i am tired, can always get some rest before driving home slightly after peak hours. Having a car also gives me ability to meet friends in a 'faster' way as compared to public transport (the last time at greenwood, i left home 1.5 hrs early and was still slightly late) and also the chance to send friends home too! =D

Although i had considered the possibility of having to buy a car when i signed up for shell as the workplace will be either at P. Bukom or Jurong island, at least i have the financial ability to buy it. But i never thought that i will be considering about it so soon, less than a month at work actually. =/

To own a car will cost about $1k per month, factoring in petrol, parking (at least it is free at seraya), insurance (should i register it under wheng as her insurance will be cheaper due to the fact that she obtained her license 8~9 years ago while mine is less than 2 years old?) and taxes. Not to mention the downpayment that i require to reduce the initial loan amount, thus currently thinking of an idea to benefit friends rather than the bank and the guy in mind would be mr cbt, although yet to ask him about it. hmmmmmm...

Anyway, the cost of getting a car will be $1000 less savings a day and the closest alternative would be to take a cab (will have to call a cab for pickup at office), which should cost about $30~35; or if i hitch a ride with any colleague (which i am still getting to know them), the taxi from their place will be less than $25 (so far, all stay in the west, from redhill to jurong or some in the north). This will allow me to take about 30 taxi trips in a month. And being the miser like me, i will most likely be taking the bus anyway. =P

Saving a thousand dollars more per month is a shit load of money and that comes with the ability to treat friends to a good meal when i feel like it (of which a few treats are coming up as soon as i get my paycheck). heh heh. And also the increase in my capacity to investment in stocks, although nowadays, i think it will way too high liao. So waiting for a market crash or a market major correction, which will give me a better window to invest, and if i can maintain my my current performance of >50% gains in investing, i would get over $30k of profits over the next five years and savings of over $100k (if all goes swee swee for everything, but as they say in stocks: past performance is not an indication of future performances - may go up to 70% gains.. heh heh heh =P). With that load of savings, i would be able to go into property as the chances of property market to ONLY go up for the stretch of the next 7 years is slim.

Everything is cyclical, and since nobody can predict the future, but i want to be prepared for it. So when the down time comes, i would (in theory) be able to get a private apt/house or HDB flat 'cheap' by then. And hopefully on my way to financial freedom (if all goes smoothly according to plan). i expect some deviation on my plans but heck, change is the only constant anyway. =P

Yesterday watched Arsenal vs Man U with yongxi and leslie at wheng's place, out 'bachelor's' corner and played winning 11 during half time break. heh heh. Not bad leh, with duty free Hoegaarden and chips. So roy! if u are reading this, will attempt to jio u again next week cos u are on duty if i calculated correctly - need your timetable dude, its going to be soccer night every sat if possible.
Current beer stock = 18 bottles of Hoegaarden, 3 cans of heineken. Peanuts = zero. Cheese balls = 9 packets.