Loss Weekend

In the suburbs where my in laws are, they can only mow the lawns ( actual lawns, not THAT lawns) on Saturday so I see poor suckers across the street with money, instead of spending it , have to mow the lawns , by the time he is finished, stores close liao. Another weekend where he do not get to support his economy. Multiple this by 100's of household x average of 40 weeks.

Then there is this DIY thing. Everything have to do by yourself, so weekends are spent buying wood and cutting them into stripes to lay the floor, building a new wing for the house, painting the garage etc because it is nearly impossible to ask people to do so because it cost too much! But because of this, how many household are stuck at home on weekends reading manuals, cutting woods, sewing curtains for the house and in the end, no one really go out to spend money. The fear of cost to hire help, no one is asking the professionals to do all these works and the professionals have increase their fees to lack of demand. If the professionals fees are more reasonable, perhaps the situation will be reverse but now they are too comfortable with the fees structure to change.

But somehow I do think in the end it is towards a good purpose. I see families really having the time to spend together, cycling, kicking a ball, playing basketball etc and this is something Asian countries lack. In Asia , we MAKE time for the kids but here THERE is time for the kids. :)

I enjoy the fact I do not feel any pressure from the society here to go find a job, to put my kid in childcare so I can earn more money. Because even if I have more money also no use, the stores are closed.

Written on 20th September 2012.