“Format the memory in the Blackberry Curve I found in the socks drawer. It is time now to be frugal,” I told my son.
“Dad, are you serious. Do you really think anyone will buy this junk,” said my son.
“Trust me. I know just the place in Karama that will lap up these sleek BBs,” I said, as the socks drawer conjured up another phone that said ‘Bold’ on the back cover.
“I met a guy using a Nokia the other day and he was proud of the fact that he doesn’t need a smartphone with a touchscreen. It’s called reverse snobbery.
“I read in a money magazine that you can easily make a few bucks from the junk lying around in the apartment,” I said.
“I also read a management book that said, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” said my wife laughing. How much do you think you will make out of our junk? Just take these things and dump them near the garbage bin,” she said.
“Why then do people have garage sales? One person’s junk, etc,” I said. “Remember this grilled cheese sandwich maker? We enjoyed many toasties in the winter. What about this soup maker? I will get at least Dh50,” I said, moving to the kitchen and checking out the tons of appliances we don’t use anymore.
“Every kitchen should just have three appliances,” I said. “A stove, a kettle and a toaster.”
“While you are in downtown Dubai, can you check out on a ‘roti’[flatbread] maker?” said my wife.
“I am trying to get rid of our junk and make some loose change in the bargain, not add more junk in the kitchen,” I said.
New adventure
“Don’t believe those guys that tell you to stop buying a chocolate mocha or a latte every day, or take your own lunch to work to save money,” said my wife. “What can you do with the Dh 100 you save?”
“Why do we need to be frugal?” said our son.
“If you watch the news you will know the world economy is going through a rough patch,” I said. “Lucky for you I am moving out and you don’t have to buy me any more games,” said our son who recently graduated from high school. The teachers were happy that this lot is moving on, but they put up a sad face nonetheless and said nice things like, we will miss you, you are now embarking on a new adventure, and chin up, and that sort of thing.
“Why do I have to take an education loan? None of the Asian kids in my class need to do that. Their parents provide for them,” said my son.
“Asian parents are very controlling,” I said. “Instead of kicking you out of the nest to see you fly by yourself, they dole out the worms and never let you become independent,” I said. “Remember, do not eat out. Home cooked food is best. You can make a boiled egg in just eight minutes.”
“Dad, how was it when you left home for college,” asked my son. “College was just a few bus stops away,” I said. “It wasn’t such a big adventure for me as I never went abroad,” I said. “But a soothsayer with a parrot once said I will make my fortune overseas. He was wrong,” I said.
“Things are going to be tough but it all depends on your hard work and luck,” I said. “Remember, even rich celebrities like Facebook’s Zuckerberg live frugally.”
“Yes, but he is giving away most of his fortune to charity,” said my wife.
“Don’t worry dad,” said my son. “I don’t need much. Just get me a 14-inch laptop, a bunch of T-shirts and the latest android phone with lots of data.”
Mahmood Saberi is a freelance journalist based in Dubai.
