An ode to the fiscally conservative

No. This is not a rant about contractionary fiscal policy.

This is a tribute to a man. A man who likes to save a coin like no one else I know. A man who challenges himself on a daily basis to keep his $ in his savings account and not let it escape to another place - like in a cash register at a clothing store or in the plate at church on Sunday or anywhere else you could think of putting some spare cash...

I'm worthy of some coin.

I would argue along similar lines.

Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked now...

Oh yes, today's story goes as follows.

Picture this - walk in to the foyer of my building and I'm already feeling the Monday FAIL. I get into the lift and see the man of the hour. Conservation goes along the following lines:

Kid A: That suitcase is quite spiffy TA.

TA: I know. Samsonite is a really good brand. They can certainly make a robust briefcase.

Kid A: Yeah it is a good brand. It's always used in movie scenes when people handcuff their wrists to suitcases. Hehehehe.

TA: Mmmm. So anyway, I got it at Daimaru.

*makes puppy dog eyes which suggests that I should ask how much he paid for it*

Kid A: Oh wow - so you've had it for awhile then.

TA: Yeah it was 75% off in 2001 or 2002 at the closing down sale.

Kid A: Bargain!

TA: Oh yes, I wouldn't have got it if it was full price. I never pay full price.

Kid A: Yeah I only get out of bed for 30% off.

TA: Mmmm. So anyway, I'll show you some of my favourite features.

Kid A: Yes, please do.

TA: Look if you open it vertical, it is like a compendium for files and the like. And horizontal, it is a briefcase.

*Ping*

"Level 35"

Kid A: I would love to hear more about this fabulous suitcase but I must head off now. Bye TA.

TA: Bye Kid A.

As far as this purchase goes, it is another in a long history of cheap skate-ness. This is the guy who put together a bike for his wife for $8 from Pick-A-Part parts, the guy who got married in the Registry Office as it was the most cost-effective option, the guy who bought 10 slabs of Pepsi Max at Campbell's Cash N Carry for $50 and had it in his office for a little over a year...

I wonder what it would be like to have such discipline?