I have decided to let go of something important.
Since getting married, I have been having my life plan reviewed periodically by a financial planner because I reviewed my insurance.
The last review was before I developed depression.
I was struggling at work, and realizing that a promotion was impossible, I had them change my income curve to reflect regular pay raises.
Three years have passed since then.
Because I developed depression and took a leave of absence, I have created a large hole in our household finances.
Meanwhile, there is inflation and rising prices.
There is also increased spending due to my daughter's changing preferences (she wants a cat) and extracurricular activities.
I had intended to review my life plan after returning to work, when the outlook would be more certain, but I received a proposal from them at this time, so I shared my current information and heard the results today.
The outlook was that if my return to work goes smoothly, I won't be left destitute. I had intended to push for things like reducing insurance premiums, but I decided to wait and see this time.
I feel just a little bit relieved.
I had one major decision incorporated into this new life plan.
It is the reduction of our personal cars.
My wife and I bonded over our shared hobby of cars.
We each had our own cars when we got married, and we have maintained a two-car system since my wife traded hers in for a kei car using her own savings shortly after we married.
Then, after nearly 13 years—when my car was old enough for taxes to increase and breakdowns were becoming noticeable—we bought a used SUV (a crossover hybrid) that my wife wanted.
Although I was the one who ultimately decided on the model.
That SUV will be due for its vehicle inspection next year.
I liked it enough to put brand-new, famous-brand tires on it.
However, I have only driven that SUV 3,000 km in the year and a half I have owned it. It is just too wasteful.
As expected, the fact that I don't use it for commuting is a factor. Also, for short trips, I choose the kei car because it is easy to maneuver and convenient for narrow parking lots.
On the other hand, the SUV was only used for returning to my parents' home via the highway, going out, or when my wife and I both had errands that required driving to the same distance.
Furthermore, even if I return to work, I am not permitted to drive for business unless I am off antidepressants. In fact, even while on leave, I have kept driving to a minimum for short distances.
In other words, our SUV has become a super-expensive paperweight that requires car tax, insurance, and inspection fees, and needs to be washed.
Moreover, I was shocked by the inspection estimate (full course) I received during a recent checkup. Even though I had expected it.
I considered letting go of the old kei car and keeping just the SUV. It makes sense logically, but my wife expressed reluctance because we live in an area with many relatively narrow roads.
Originally, I intended for my wife to be the main driver because she was anxious about using the kei car to visit her parents' home on the highway, but even I was initially confused by the size of our first 3-number plate car, which I couldn't gauge during the test drive.
And, it is unexpectedly cramped.
My previous car was a Honda Stream RSZ. And it was Passion Red Pearl (!!)
And I bought a 7-seater even though I was single just because it was cheap (lol)
#What are you talking about
#It's just crazy
Thanks to that, it proved its worth during our three moves.
For spaciousness and driving fun, the Stream is still definitely the best!
The final blow was my daughter saying, "I want sliding doors."
I pushed through that to buy the SUV, but she insists that it needs to be spacious and have automatic doors.
Oh, I got too attached to the car talk and went on for too long.
In the end, we decided to sell both cars and go down to one.
First, we will let go of the SUV.
Then, we will make do with the kei car that has a long inspection period remaining, and then trade it in for a 5-number compact minivan—whether new or used—at a later date.
I do feel a bit lonely.
After all, I will no longer have my own car.
But it is better for the car to be used than to just sit there like a paperweight while I am too ill to drive it properly, right?
So, I have already started taking action.
My plan is to first get an appraisal from the dealership where I bought the SUV, and then try using a car buying site for the first time.
If the appraisal is good, I might just sell it there.
What if I recover from depression and reach a point where I need two cars?
Maybe I will buy a used S660.
Or maybe an N-VAN that I can load up with luggage would be good too.
I will focus on my treatment while dreaming of that.