The Allowance Negotiation
A son tries to negotiate his pocket money in dollars, and his father answers with a rate card in rupees: dishes, taking out the trash, and a price for everything. The allowance gets converted, counted out in coins from the dabba, and his sister wants to know what switching off the fan pays before the negotiation even starts. This NRI Problems episode settles the terms at the kitchen table. This NRI Problems episode
Full transcript
I negotiate pocket money in this house. We negotiate in chores. Arjun says, “Dad, can I get an allowance?” I say, “Of course. What chores are you offering?” He says, “I live here.” I say, “So does the electricity bill, beta. Is it on sale?”
I make a rate card. Dishes, one rupee. Taking out trash, two. Then I convert it into rupees from dollars. And suddenly the trash is a premium service. Priya says, “You’re paying him in chores.” I say, “No, I’m teaching financial literacy with a steel duba for his coins.”
Anaya asks, “Can I earn extra for switching off your lights?” I say, “That’s family service.” Sharma uncle would charge. My useful tip: agree on what the allowance covers before anyone starts spending it.
What chore would you charge extra for? For more NRI money stories, visit IndiaPay dot com.
Stories are lovely, but the money news never stops: read The Daily Rupee, IndiaPay’s satirical money paper.