Buy Nice or Buy Twice? My Hilarious Dilemma with Bicycle Budgets

They say there’s nothing like the wind in your hair, the open road, and the joy of riding a bicycle. But nobody warned me about the headache of budgeting for one. Now, I'm facing the kind of decision that makes you feel like a contestant on a reality show called Broke but Boujee: should I stick to the mantra "buy nice or buy twice" and go all out on a flagship bike, or play it safe and not spend more than I earn? Spoiler alert: the answer is still not clear, but at least I have some thoughts to share—and they’re entertaining, if nothing else.

The Budget Breakdown

Let me paint the picture. I’ve managed to save 80,000 naira. A decent chunk of change, right? But here’s where things get tricky. A flagship bicycle, the type that makes you look like you belong in a Tour de France commercial, costs a whopping 120,000 naira. A mid-range model—the kind that says, "I’m not a pro, but I like to ride"—is exactly 80,000 naira. And then there’s the low-range one at 60,000 naira, which looks more like, "I’m just trying to survive these potholes."

Now, before you think I’m balling out of control with all these savings, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of my monthly finances. I make 80,000 naira a month. After spending 60,000 naira on food (because a guy’s gotta eat), I’m left with 20,000 naira. So yeah, it took a while to save up that 80,000 naira. And as if life isn’t hard enough, I still owe my friend 15,000 naira and another 5,000 naira to a loan app. So, no, I can’t just waltz into the store and swipe my card for a fancy new bicycle without some serious thought (and maybe a miracle).

Option 1: Buy Nice or Buy Twice

Ah, the age-old wisdom of "buy nice or buy twice." It sounds so logical, doesn’t it? The idea is simple: invest in quality once, and you won’t have to keep replacing it. In my case, this means buying the flagship bike for 120,000 naira. But there’s just one teeny-tiny problem—I don’t have 120,000 naira. I’ve got 80,000, and last I checked, the shop doesn’t accept my dreams as a down payment.

Still, I can’t help but drool over the idea of cruising on a top-of-the-line bike. You know, the kind that comes with fancy gears, aerodynamic design, and probably even a setting that automatically dodges potholes. Plus, it’s shiny. Really shiny. I could see myself rolling up to the gym, parking it casually, and just waiting for someone to ask, "Whoa, nice bike! Is that a flagship model?" And I’d just nod, pretending I didn’t almost sell my soul for it.

But then reality slaps me in the face with a reminder: "My guy, you still owe 20,000 naira." Not to mention, even if I managed to beg, borrow, or (hopefully not) steal my way to 120,000 naira, I’d still need to buy accessories—like a helmet, a lock, and maybe a bell, because safety first, right? And accessories aren’t exactly cheap. So, maybe the whole "buy nice or buy twice" philosophy isn’t the golden solution for my current budgetary crisis.

Option 2: Don’t Spend More Than You Earn

Let’s talk about option two, the advice my wallet loves but my inner cyclist cringes at: "Don’t spend more than you earn." This philosophy suggests I stick with what I can afford—basically, buy the mid-range or low-range bicycle and call it a day. Sensible, right? Logical? Absolutely. But do you know what else it is? Boring.

The mid-range bike is 80,000 naira, and it’s a solid choice. It’s got gears, a frame that won’t crumble under pressure, and a design that won’t make people wonder if I found it in the back of my garage. I mean, it gets the job done, and technically, I can afford it right now. But where’s the fun in that?

The low-range bike, on the other hand, is 60,000 naira. That would leave me with a little extra to buy the accessories I need (and maybe even a soda to celebrate my new ride). But let’s be honest: the low-range bike is probably one pothole away from falling apart. I can already picture myself pedaling along, minding my own business, when a wheel suddenly pops off and rolls into the sunset. 

So, if I go for the mid-range option, I’m playing it safe. It means I won’t be taking on more debt (which is always a plus), but it also means I’m settling. And who wants to settle? I mean, we’re talking about a bicycle, not my love life!

The Great Debate: What’s More Important?

Here’s the million-naira question: Do I follow my heart and stretch my budget to go for the flagship bike, or do I play it safe and stick with the mid-range option? Both philosophies have their merits. "Buy nice or buy twice" is about investing in quality, which is important. I mean, I don’t want to be that guy who’s always repairing his bike because he cheaped out. But "don’t spend more than you earn" is all about financial responsibility. I’ve already got some debt hanging over me, and adding more to it sounds like a fast track to stress city.

If only I could get a magic lamp, rub it, and have a genie appear to sort this out for me. But alas, I’m stuck with my own logic (or lack thereof). 

The Compromise: A Game Plan

After much deliberation, pacing around my room, and even consulting Google like it was my financial advisor, I came up with a compromise. Here’s the plan: I’m going to buy the mid-range bicycle for 80,000 naira. It’s within my current budget, and I won’t have to take on any new loans. Plus, it leaves me a little room to buy at least some basic accessories (even if I can’t get that super-cool bike bell just yet).

Why not go for the flagship? Simple—I can’t afford it right now, and I’m tired of owing people money. And while I’d love to be the guy with the super-fancy bike, I think I’d rather be the guy who’s debt-free. The mid-range option is still a solid bike, and it’ll serve me well until I can afford to upgrade down the line. Maybe one day, when I’m making more than 80,000 naira a month, I’ll revisit the idea of splurging on a flagship model. But today is not that day.

Final Thoughts: Life Lessons from a Bicycle Purchase

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this whole experience, it’s that adulting is hard. Who knew buying a bicycle could feel like such a monumental decision? But I guess that’s life. Sometimes, you have to make choices that don’t necessarily scream "exciting" but are the best for your future. And right now, the best thing for my future is not being stuck in a cycle of debt (pun intended).

So, to anyone out there facing a similar dilemma, remember this: it’s okay to dream big, but it’s also okay to be practical. Sometimes, the mid-range option is exactly what you need to get from point A to point B without losing your sanity (or your savings). And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll save up enough for that flagship bike. Until then, you’ll catch me cruising on my mid-range model, with a grin on my face and my debt slowly but surely shrinking.

Besides, who needs a flagship bike when I’ve got these sturdy legs and a head full of (budget-friendly) dreams?