Facts and Figures
Lat night I bought a bottle of wine for $14.99 (or more accurately I sent my under the legal limit sister to buy it as I had already had a glass!).
My return bus fare to work today cost me $4.20.
I bought 2 sushi rolls and a paper at lunchtime totalling $5.80.
After work I had coffee with a friend at $2.60 each.
I bought (recycled) toiletpaper, toothpaste and two tomatoes at the supermarket tonight for $6.80.
This brings my incidental spending in the last 24 hours to $34.39. This does not include any of my core living expenses.
A kind man at work with a surprising sense of social justice (he works for a very elite cosmetic house) asked me for a donation 'for the poor people of Asia' today. I went to give him a fiver but rethought and gave him the 20 in my purse - less than 2/3 of my incidental expenses. He suggested that I did not need to give so much. I insisted. We all earn only slightly more than the award so his hesiation was understandable. No single sale I made on skincare today was less than $40.
The oz government has pledged 35 million. I am pleased. According to the Red Cross, Australians have donated 20 million. We are a population of 20 million. 55 million represents a little less than $3 per head.
I'm not sure what figure would exceed stingy but I know most people my age consider it stingy to bow out of 'getting the next round'. I think Australia can stretch to buying a few more beers for neighbours who are in a seriously tight spot.
My return bus fare to work today cost me $4.20.
I bought 2 sushi rolls and a paper at lunchtime totalling $5.80.
After work I had coffee with a friend at $2.60 each.
I bought (recycled) toiletpaper, toothpaste and two tomatoes at the supermarket tonight for $6.80.
This brings my incidental spending in the last 24 hours to $34.39. This does not include any of my core living expenses.
A kind man at work with a surprising sense of social justice (he works for a very elite cosmetic house) asked me for a donation 'for the poor people of Asia' today. I went to give him a fiver but rethought and gave him the 20 in my purse - less than 2/3 of my incidental expenses. He suggested that I did not need to give so much. I insisted. We all earn only slightly more than the award so his hesiation was understandable. No single sale I made on skincare today was less than $40.
The oz government has pledged 35 million. I am pleased. According to the Red Cross, Australians have donated 20 million. We are a population of 20 million. 55 million represents a little less than $3 per head.
I'm not sure what figure would exceed stingy but I know most people my age consider it stingy to bow out of 'getting the next round'. I think Australia can stretch to buying a few more beers for neighbours who are in a seriously tight spot.