The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : It is no fun to be a bachelor

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Monday, Jul 28, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

It is no fun to be a bachelor

K.V. Prasad

Photo: M. Periasamy

CONFINED: Television is a cheaper alternative to going to cinemas for people staying in lodges. –

Savings dwindle as food expenses and room rent rise, and there is very little left on hand for bachelors to cheer about.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are becoming frugal by the day, says Chitrakumar, who stays in a lodge near Power House at Tatabad in the city.

“A dosa costs Rs. 7. I need to eat at least two for breakfast. But, even this may not be enough. Therefore, breakfast itself cost Rs. 25,” he says. Two dosas and two idlis are enough to make a big hole in the purse.

A basic vegetarian lunch and dinner will cost another Rs.50 or more. Imagine what happens to those like N.M. Riyaz Shamsuddin, who loves to have non-vegetarian food. Away from his home in Thanjavur, he also stays in the same lodge. Concerned over the price rise, he, however, asks: “How can we compromise on food?”

Going to cinemas or buying new shirts or trousers often can be avoided. But, those working in the sales field cannot compromise on food, even if the timings are erratic. As for entertainment, watching television is a viable option.

Mr. Chitrakumar, who works for a private bank in the city, pays a room rent of Rs.780. It was increased by Rs.130 about a year ago. Fortunately, the room rent has not gone up now. But, there is no guarantee as maintenance costs are rising. A steep rise in Property Tax rates for commercial establishments may have an impact on the rent.

Mr. Shamsuddin, who also works for a private financial institution, says that shifting to the city from the outskirts has had attendant problems, especially in food expenses. “I used to spend only Rs. 45 for three meals a day. Now, my dinner alone costs Rs. 40. Things were not this bad when I shifted to the city. But, over the last five months, there has been a 30 per cent rise in the price of food served in the mess,” he says. Both of them say that they hesitate to have a cup of curd because it costs Rs. 3.

What about the money they have to send to their inflation-hit parents? “We are not able to send money every month. If we do it, we will run out of money needed to live here,” says Mr. Chitrakumar. So, about Rs.5,000 is sent home once in three months.

B. Senthil Kumar, who stays in a lodge at Kattoor, says that apart from a room rent of Rs.600, he has to brace for the rising cost of almost all that he needs everyday – from food to fuel. “The food bill just keeps rising, though we eat the same quantity. First the overall inflation, then the rise in fuel price has hit us indirectly. Those running a mess cite these as reasons for increase in our food bill.”

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and two or three cups of coffee a day cost 40 per cent more now, compared with the prices three months ago, he laments.

S. Kanagaraj, who also stays in the same lodge, says food cost also depends on the location. The most frugal of food for three times a day costs Rs.100. It costs a little less outside the city.

A native of Sathyamangalam, he says it will be economical to cook at home. But, bachelors do not get houses on rent easily.

If there are people to let out their houses on rent to bachelors, the rent is at least 30 per cent more than what is quoted to a family. “So, we are left with the option of incurring more expenses by staying in lodges and eating in messes.”

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