Stick to your budget

By Ilia L. Likou 23 October 2017, 12:00AM

Meet 45-year-old Ta’amilo Ta’avili.

Ta’amilo says that life is all about budgeting well.

He believes the struggle Samoans go through to make ends meet is nothing new but it is all about planning and ensuring that you are able to cover the family needs. 

“I know everyone will agree with me on this matter,” Ta’amilo said.

“We get paid at the end of the week and we try really hard to cover everything.

“We have to take care of the church and village obligations, family activities like faalavelave and then the family’s every day needs.

“We get our pay but things are very expensive, so many times we can’t afford what we need.

“To me I would go to do my shopping with $50 and it’s the same as nothing, that’s what’s happening in Samoa now.

“Not long after we start shopping and whatever amount you have is already finished on only a few items.”

Ta’amilo says life is not about sitting around expecting a box of tinned fish to fall from the sky for fa’alavelave or other obligations, that’s a no-no.

He said it was a sad reality.

However, Ta’amilo believes it’s time people get their priorities right.

“We need to put our children first and our family fa’alavelave last.

“We need to plan everything well, and then everything will fall into place, stop worrying too much about what others have, and what you don’t have but keep everything simple.” 

“The safety and welfare of our family is important to each and every one of us. We don’t have to be poor if we don’t envy the fancy things we cannot afford.”

Ta’amilo says trusting the Lord in whatever we do keeps us strong every day.

“We also have to believe in ourselves and God’s calling in our lives; he’s always there for us.

“We must help ourselves first. It’s nonsense if all you do is sleep all day and you expect an angel to come and feed you on your bed,” he said.

By Ilia L. Likou 23 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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