i’m in the market for a new car now, and i’ve been having these neurotic thoughts as well. (yeah, trusty civic from lowell is finally making me nervous safety-wise) there’s no way around getting a car, but i’m so worried for some reason about being “materialistic”. maybe i’m just afraid of perceptions of others. example, money i spend on a normal basis (fishing, eating out) would probably pale in comparison to a car, but others don’t see those things. rationally, it seems stupid to worry about avoiding things instead of focusing more on trying to strive towards a calling/vision to help those in need.

maybe it’s more a reminder or a lifestyle/spirituality issue. i.e., i don’t want to stop living simply (relatively of course), ’cause maybe i’ll forget to think of the poor, and forget to remember that the only way life for most people on earth can ever be redeemed is through a life in heaven where they can be first and people like us will be last.

ideally, i’d like to live in an empty room with a big closet for all my work clothes, and own nothing but a bunch of mutual funds and properties. but i guess i have my own versions of multi-grain bread too.

at least i’m not buying a saab.