If given the opportunity to choose between a VW Golf GTI and Mercedes Benz Sprinter panel van, I would bet that many people would go for the Vrrr Pha!

The GTI is fast, beautiful and seductive while the panel van is long, seats only three people and looks boring.

The choice between the two reminded me of a difficult decision a friend recently took as he wanted to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions.

He divulged plans to move out of his home and go live with his parents.

I obviously wondered how a man who left his parents' home in his late 20s when he was childless was now going to survive under the roof of the people who gave birth to him. Many parents will regard you as their baby whether you are 30 or 50 years.

Reasons for the 40-year-old wanting to take along his wife and children to live at his parents' abode were not linked to his failure to keep up with bond repayments, ballooning municipal rates and services, high crime rate or an unfriendly neighbour.

He was, in fact, motivated by his entrepreneurial dream.

His plan was to refurbish his house and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast establishment.

I commend his decision because South Africa has a culture of consumerism, instant gratification and where people easily fall for get-rich-quick schemes.

Many people want others to see that they have "arrived".

When people have cash, they generally think of getting their hands on that beautiful car, ordering expensive booze and food at eateries, putting on expensive clothing, subscribing to premium satellite TV bouquets and turning their humble abodes into mansions.

One of the shortcomings with these spending patterns is that they dent your budget as they often leave you with a huge credit bill that requires servicing every month, while the goods bought do not generate an income.

I'm not saying individuals should not spoil themselves now and again.

However, we should consider prioritising items that will generate income, while we delay splurging on "bottomless pits".

This is the reason I am in awe of my friend, as he will be taking his savings and investing them into something that he believes will generate additional income in the future.

This logic also applies to cars. A Golf GTI costs R546000 while a Mercedes Benz Sprinter panel van is also in the same price league.

The cheapest Isuzu six-wheel truck goes for R382077.

Some might ask, "Are you flippin' crazy? What am I going to do with a truck?"

The answer to the question is, once you start thinking about buying a panel van or a truck instead of a beautiful car which will not generate an income, you will be forced to think about business opportunities that you can explore with the vehicle.