Pati’s response to the cost of living

By Seia Soloi 15 February 2017, 12:00AM

People have different ways of dealing with the cost of living.

For Pati Fa’atiau, of Vaitele-tai, he believes a simple life is the best way to respond.

According to the 54-year-old, too many people struggle with the cost of living because they want to live a life they cannot afford.

But the father of five says the most important thing is living based on what one earns.

“Life doesn’t have to be expensive,” he told the Village Voice.

“We’ve been living here for more than ten years now and we decided to develop our family by planting taro and veggies.

“We use that to make money and we even use that for our food. That way we don’t have to rely so much on what’s inside the stores.”

Pati said he didn’t realise how easy it was until he started living it.

“My family is very simple because it’s just me and my,” he told the Village Voice.

 “I don’t have a job to provide for my family but whatever money we get from the vegetables, that’s enough.

 “We sell veggies such as tomatoes, carrots, cabbage. Some days are good, others are not so good but you’ve got to be grateful for whatever comes.”

Pati also believes that it’s time people get their priorities right.

 “I put my kids as my first choice then our family fa’alavelave last.

“Church and village obligations are the most expensive things nowadays but sometimes we’ve got to learn to say no.”

Getting back to his philosophy, Pati said a diet of elegi is not such a bad thing. 

“Keeping everything simple,” he said, “it’s a great way to live.”

“The safety and welfare of my family is important to me especially my kids as they are young. We don’t have to be poor if we don’t envy the fancy things we cannot afford.”  

By Seia Soloi 15 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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