Save money for unexpected expenses
FOUR YEARS of being a roadside vendor at Kasavu in Nausori for Saddad Ali has been rewarding for his family
Hailing from Ba, he first moved to Nausori more than 10 years ago after getting married.
He moved into his wife’s home to look after his mother-in-law.
Back in his home town, he worked as a sugar cane farmer then switched to the retail industry, after being involved as a merchandiser in supermarkets.
In that time, he saw the need to change his career path to create a more stable income for his family.
He worked in several supermarkets for a few years and after coming across a roadside vendor selling pineapples near his work place and hearing the benefits of that business he decided to venture into it as well.
So, during the pandemic period, after the reduction of working hours and restrictions that came with it Saddad decided to sell pineapples and food produce outside his home to make a living.
Having a cousin back in Ba who continually supplied his produce was a bonus for his family as it made things easier for his new business.
As the sole bread winner of his family of six consisting of his wife, three children and mother-in-law, Saddad’s roadside business has been providing for them ever since. It has helped him in many ways, and through it he has been able to pay for his daughter’s tertiary education.
He said his business has provided for their daily supplies and family’s transportation as well as children’s fare. He also planted guavas, avocados and dawa at his home in Nausori to help get more profit for his family.
Mr Ali stressed the need to be resourceful and the importance of working hard in life for your family to be successful.
He said backyard gardening and road side selling will help improve the standard of living for any family just like it has done for his. He also said it was important to save money for future unpredicted events and for financial security.
While providing for his family, he would also set aside an amount of profit to save.
Recently, his business has allowed him to renovate his home.
He managed to tile his house, which was made possible simply by selling a few extra farm produce by the roadside.
So if you’re travelling along Kasavu on the Kings Highway, stop by Saddad’s roadside stall for sweet affordable goodies to quench your thirst and to support his family business venture.