The cost of living for Saudi families reaches the peak in summer due to various reasons including holidays of children, marriage ceremonies, recreational programs and lack of proper planning.
Family bills also go up during summer because of lack of choices as well as high prices of recreational centers. People with medium and low incomes are the worst hit by the shooting prices.
We are now at the peak of summer. Every year we approach August with worries. We complain about the simmering Riyadh heat. But we are often shy of talking about August’s high expenditures.
August is not only the month of heat but also of ceremonies and occasions. We choose this month for weddings, tourism programs and family get-togethers as it comes just before the opening of schools.
We also spend a lot of money this month to get admissions for our children in schools and universities. No doubt this is the most expensive month of the year for all sections of society without exception.
The cost of tourism and recreation also becomes very high due to lack of planning. Forget about the charges of air tickets and hotel accommodation. You have to spend a lot on these things even if you visit one of the destinations in a Gulf country.
Don’t try to resist the heat of August, whether of climate or prices. This month hits our pockets heavily, beginning with electricity, telephone, recreation and water bills.
I have conceded my failure to cut expenses in August for the past several years and decided to praise this month instead of blaming it. I know that I cannot replace August with February or March. I would not be able to save on electricity bills, even if I sleep without switching on the air conditioner.
August is a month of exhausting expenditure. Every year I tell myself that I would make early preparations for the next August but every time I lost my bet due to increasing prices.
4 August 2002
