Budgeting is key to a great life

By Vatapuia Maiava 13 October 2016, 12:00AM

Managing your money wisely can take you a long way. 

Spend only on what’s really necessary.

That’s what Asopaipai Elino, from the village of Siusega believes and has helped her and her family till this day.

Aged 38, Asopaipai owns a roadside market stall which is her family’s main source of income.

“We live on selling vegetables,” she told the Village Voice.

“All of my children have grown up on vegetable filled meals and on money made from sales. We have been doing this for a while now because my husband doesn’t have a job and this is our only source of income.

“We started this when we were living in Savaii.”

When asked if she goes through any problems, Asopaipai said there’s not much she struggles with. There are only minor issues with setting prices for her produce.

“I think one of the biggest problems with owning a produce stall is setting the right price,” she said.

“If we don’t set the right price then we won’t get sales and if we don’t have many things to sell and we make the price too small then we won’t earn anything.

“But we are doing alright with earning money to take care of the family. Our weekly budget is just a little over $100 and that goes towards looking after the children, putting them through school and then the daily meals.

“We make just enough to deal with the week. Learning how to budget is the best way to go.”

Asopaipai continued on to explain how expensive life has become compared to when she was a young girl.

“We have two people in the house currently working and they help out when needed,” she said.

“With three children still schooling; I think most of the money goes to them. We also spend a lot on shopping because the cost of living is a bit expensive.

“But times have really changed from when I was a little girl. Back then I would be able to go out and muck around with just 50cents and when I get home I would get told off for wasting that much money.

“We could even buy buns for just 10cents. That 50cents is now like $5 these days. It’s very important to know how to budget your money.”

Asopaipai also said that having too many faalavelave’s doesn’t help with the problem of Samoa’s high cost of living.

“We have some savings put aside to take care of family faalavelave’s,” she said.

“Aside from the children’s needs and the daily meals, money also goes towards cultural activities which is why we save.”

By Vatapuia Maiava 13 October 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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