Working hard is one essential solution to address the expensive cost of living nowadays. 

“The cost of living in Samoa is expensive but hard work is the only way to cope with it,” Ta’avili Taupau from Vaitele Fou said.

Ta’avili Taupau met the Village Voice team while on his way with his son to sell Koko Esi around the village on Saturday morning.

Mr. Taupau, 45, said this was his routine every Saturday.

“This is what I do in order to provide financial assistance for me and my family for Sunday.

“My son tags along with me because he can help me dish the koko esi to the buyers.”

The father of three said this was how he showed his support to his wife because she’s the only one employed.

“My wife is the only person who works in our family through the week but my job is to take our kids to school every day but today I have to step up and help out making money for the family.”

Mr. Taupau said the cost of living here in Samoa at the moment is not cheap, but all we have got to do, is to work hard.

“We don’t need to complain or criticize the high cost of living we have here in Samoa, the only thing we need to do is to work hard to cope with it.

“To me the only way I get to make money is to sell the tastiest traditional morning hot chocolate.”

Mr. Taupau also mentioned that he makes good money from what he is doing.

“I am glad I am making good money from selling these things and also clean money, because if this was in other countries when the cost of living is high, people would turn to dirty work and get dirty money from there, like what we are seeing in movies.

“To me I think the money I make from this is good enough for our Sunday feed and if it is more, then we will use it through the week.

“Life is hard and we all know that, but it’s just a matter of how you place yourself in any situation and cope with it,” he added.