to grips with the sometimes futile feeling about wage incomes. It seemed that the longer he worked at the local grocery store even with the extra hours, the more he found ways to spend the money. It seemed that there was a direct one-to-one relationship with money and new ways to spending.
He had tried various ways to save money over the years, including a savings account but in the end there was the latest new mobile phone or movie. The hardest was controlling spending on social activities with his mates. He also loved swimming and was in the school team as well as the local swim club competition. This was expensive because the competitions meant regularly travelling to other clubs locally, to the countryside as well as interstate. Being a fierce competitor, he wanted to get the best swim gear that he could afford. His parents could not afford that luxury.
Then there is every teenagers dream; their own car. Ashwyn had gone through the required financial commitments with Bob many times over, since the age of 10. He wanted his own car, when he turned 16, to learn to drive in, not his parents. It gave him a sense of independence and confidence he argued. Smart though Bob was, with a bright future and a level head, nevertheless, the money management issue seemed like grasping the wind.
As these thoughts flashed through Ashwyn’s mind, he understood the brilliance of the underlying analysis that Bob had done with the movie, ‘A bug’s Life’. It was clear that the insect kingdom and indeed all other species had no need for currency to live and thrive. Look at the ants, their lifestyles and quality of life was totally fulfilled as long as they had their food and shelter. Why do humans have to make life so complicate by creating ever more complicated lifestyles with ever rising costs to provide for those lifestyles? Just the thought of it made him feel depressed. There has got to be a better way irrespective of how complicated life may get. The fact that there are many people and families, even though they are a minority in the global population context, who seem to be able to adapt to any new financial challenge made Ashwyn envious and somewhat angry. Some have all the luck, he thought despondently. But we must work out a way to join that minority of financially free families. There’s got to be a way. There’s just got to be a way, some how, he sighed loudly.
To the rescue of the discussion; looking round the table, Ashwyn replied, “And what has that got to do with Dad’s question you all ask?” Before Bob could respond he continued, “A lot actually, but I will put it to you in a more interesting way by changing the subject for the moment. What is money? What do you think is the point of money? Why bother with it? Where does money come from?”
Matt blurted out, “Money comes frommm… the bank! frommm… the tooth fairy!” A few giggles rang out from Rhonda and Luke but everyone else couldn’t help but smile. Matt continued confidently, “frommm…ummm mummy and daddy, frommm…grandma, grandpa,…ummm from Santa?...if I’m a good boy I’ll get lots of moneys from Santa. Ummm….I got lots of moneys in the piggy bank”
“Looks like you got all of them covered, Matt. Good boy!” Luke interrupted with a patronising voice and sly smile. Matt beamed with a broad smile looking around for assurance from everyone; who gave the obligatory smile and nod in return.
Jill began to feel uncomfortable with the direction of the subject of money because it seemed too heavy a subject for Matt, Rhonda and Luke. She decided to throw a distraction focussing on talking about another movie. It was obvious to her, talking about movies seemed to produce a more free flowing discussion atmosphere. She also did not want to have to deal publicly with her own money worries in case it became a heated argument with Ashwyn. He had from time to time wanted her to develop a better understanding of financial matters but it was all too hard. Besides, she already had enough with the daily family activities and Ashwyn understood that. He had never pressured her but, however, did not hesitate to provide information at the slightest hint of interest from her. She always made sure it was as little as possible and on as few occasions as possible. It was his problem and responsibility as the head of the family.
“Lets talk about another movie instead,” she said firmly much to both Ashwyn’s and Bob’s dismay. Ignoring their reaction she continued. “What did we understand about Toy Story?” as she looked around at the blank faces staring at her.
“Oh! In Toy Story 2 the fat guy, Al McWhiggin, I think his name is, is so greedy about making a lot of money if he could get Woody, Bullseye, Stinky Pete and Jessie and sell them as a pack to the Japanese. He knew the value of rare toys. He could get more money than he was earning as a man in a chicken suit. At least he knew about how important it was to have lots of money.” Rhonda replied with an air of analytical confidence and a beaming face as she looked at Ashwyn for affirmation.
Ashwyn was stunned at her quick thinking in circumventing her mother’s attempts to change the subject. Bob gave a quiet sigh of relief looking away from his mother with slight annoyance.
“Brilliant!” exclaimed Ashwyn, “Just fantastic! We get to talk about another movie and yet can better understand the power of money in our lives as humans.”
Jill looked resignedly at Ashwyn and, needless to say, annoyed at his triumphalism and decided to become an observer. She did not want to leave in protest because she knew Ashwyn was trying to educate the family on the matter of money. It was important for her to support him in order to ensure that the kids learn personal financial responsibility. She would clench her teeth if need be to avoid an argument.
“We all watched the movie last weekend. So, Luke how about you, what are your thoughts, darling?” Ashwyn asked.
“I’m supposed to be first, because I am the youngest at the table, Dad!” Matt protested, slamming the table for emphasis.
“Okay then! Matt go ahead” retorted Luke a little annoyed at his brothers tantrum.
The discussions then continued for another 10 minutes before Ashwyn thought it was enough for the day. Besides, it was getting late and the kids had to get organised for bedtime. Very satisfied with the discussions, Ashwyn knew he could now use this platform at appropriate time in the future to build on the family’s financial literacy. Turning to Jill, he thanked her for having been patient and tolerating the discussion. She smiled with clenched teeth and gave him the “evil eye.”
A World Away
There is another world out there where real humans live with the kind of freedoms, and community structures that have uncanny similarities to ‘A Bug’s Life’. In that world, there is a village, where a young boy is growing up. Raised according to the traditional customs of the Acholi tribe deep within the very heart of Africa. The children of the Bwola dances. That majestic, powerful warrior dance before their Chief of Chiefs (Paramount Chief). The dances of triumph that terrified their tribal enemies of old. There in the midst of that tribe, in a village is a boy, Olum, the youngest of three siblings. At the tender age of five years old, he has been bringing special joy to his parents. As a male child, he will carry the family line, something highly treasured among the Acholi tribe. The Acholi did not have surnames, like the Europeans. You only got one name and that is it. In the villages, everybody knew one another. To know who belonged to which family, they simply used the reference ‘son of’ or ‘daughter of’. So Olum would be referred to as Olum son of Ociti. However, Ociti is actually his father’s first name, and only name. This confused the British colonialists when they arrived, so they enforced the introduction of surnames for administrative purposes. Hence, Olum is now called Olum Oteka, inherited from his grandfather, as a make do with some kind of surname as far as the colonialists were concerned. Never mind that Oteka was actually a first name. His father is now called Ociti Oteka.
Having two sisters, according to tribal traditions meant his father will be a rich man when they got married. He will get dowry payments that could be substantial, especially if they are well educated. This could ensure that they have additional cattle, goats, and chickens and money. Some of which would be set aside for when Olum got married.
Living within this village environment is an entire neighboured of relatives, each with their family plot of land. Together, the village stretched over three-square kilometres.