: 11/17/2009
Prime Minister David Thompson offered advice full of wisdom, to the Barbadians: Many Bajans rely on the overseas families and government to foot their bills. When nearly every country is feeling the affects of the recession. Mr. Prime Minister lets hope your government has drawn in the rein on wasteful spending, you have to lead the people by example: People need to return to the ancient customs, of planting food, raising animals and poultry. Grand dads and mothers amusing the children with stories. The smells of fried flying fish and steam yams, rice and peas, the fried bakes, and lemonade made with limes etc. etc... The young people have to refrain from pregnancies, yet another mouth to feed and both parents unemploy; and look for ways to improve their situations, without stealing nor destroying their happiness. Bearing in mind, the overseas families are feeling the pinch just like you.

Tighten your belt : 11/16/2009
I was on the island in the summer, and I did not see anyone brown bagging thier lunch, like we do here. The fast food places are jammed for artey clogging foods. Everyone has a car, making them leave home at 6am to start at 8.30. the cost of gas etc. They will never learn. Free transport on public transport, and the parents give the children money to travel on the PVS. Frozen dinners, dry cereals, no oatmeal, or corn porridge. Diabetes the worst in the world; yet we have one of the best education systems in the English speaking world. It is being wasted. Ego.

: 11/16/2009
I believe it was Hon. Errol Barrow who said"Bajans problem is not the high cost of living,their problem is the cost of high living."Continues today

Frugal : 11/16/2009
It's time that somebody let these folks know that they "glory days" of living above their means are over. It really bothers me about these expensive designer wear that they are spending excessive amounts of money to buy and all they are getting is someone's name. Why can't they buy the same items without the name and put their own names on them. It's amazing the stupidity that is being copied from abroad. But hopefully this recession will teach them a thing or two about being frugal.

: 11/16/2009
Comrade MBOTO:pray tell me what the youth will save when they can't even get a job. Would it be loot from robberies. Notice how many of them are so idle that they have decided the only happines left is in frying their brains.
Retired.

Pot kettle black : 11/16/2009
Good advice from a questionable source

: 11/16/2009
Does this advise also apply to the hotels and large corporations who also owe on their bills, or is this just for the 'Barbadians'?

Cut back : 11/16/2009
I agree with the Prime Minister. This bills need to be paid first and you should also make sure you have food on your table. You don't need new clothes for every event or to keep up with the Jones'. Everyone has to start cutting back.

Good Advise : 11/16/2009
Good advise Mr PM,its nice to let our people know its not only Barbados that is going through the economic downturn.They should know we in the USA are experiencing the same situation, millions of Americans including some of their relatives are unemployed,or have had to take a 10,15,or 20 % pay cut to avoid losing their job,so this is not a bajan,or caribbean thing,its worldwide.
I recall a joke in the 60's,when Bajans were told to tighten their belts,whilst people in the government were wearing shirt jacks.
We will pull through this and be a stronger Barbados.
Selfexile Bajan.

LOL : 11/16/2009
Every now and then I go to them too. LOLOLOL. Yuh mean Everytime there is a Dog fight you sure to see me there

: 11/16/2009
Good advise Mr P.M. Alot of people have their priorities wrong. I suppose that The wish of the small man to live like the Jones and get ahead will always be with us. My only concern is your advise on investments. Seriously, Sir,CLICO still has me wobbling a little in the knees.
Retired

: 11/16/2009
It goes without saying, the bills have to be paid before the tickets for the fetes, the clothes not forgeting the nails and the hair can be paid for. You are right Prime Minister. I hope Barbados does not become a welfare state because there are some of us who think that the Country owes us a living. We really have got to start living within our means

pay bills : 11/16/2009
My grandma used to say,"Don't hang ya hat where ya can't reach it." In other words, don't live above your means. Know your priorities and always use common sense. "Keeping up with the Joneses" will eventually place many of you in the hands of debt collectors or worse, Jail. So take the PM's advice and be a good steward over your money. It's simply wrong for Gov't to financially rescue you after you have spent your earnings in an unwise manner.

: 11/16/2009
GO EASY ON THE TRAVEL OVERSEAS---COSTS MORE THAN THE BLING !

: 11/16/2009
Been waiting for these sentiments for over 1 year. Thankyou Mr.PM Get your houses in order, your finances etc, the government don't owe you anything. As you said lets get real. Mr.PM tell your Ministers to stop making these so call "poor" people promises. You don't have to run to every cock fight, pay your bills first. 246

Good Point : 11/16/2009
Now tell me why does the PM need to tell bajans to pay their bills. Come on we should be smarter than this, we all want the nice things and the latest piece of technology but common sence must prevail at some point. Pay the needs first and then think about the wants, prioritize people. And for those with young people (i'm young to 22) who think a child is de new accesory please be advised that when u have a child life is no longer about u, or want you want, that child should be feed clothed and his future secured before you even think about another 'show' or 'event'. Big show will not slove your problems, SO STOP BLAMING THE GOVERNMENT AND GET YOUR SH*T TOGETHER.

Stupid : 11/16/2009
Barbadians need to simplify their lifestyles. Not only do they spend a lot of money on shows and brand name clothes, but they spend too much on fast foods. The fast food giants are making money and the health of the people are deteriorating. As the ole people say, we are bright but not shining.

Cut back : 11/16/2009
That is good advice.Preople in Barbados don't miss anything they are at every cat fight. These are days you have to cut back on everything.We have to do it here in the USA.

THOMPSON : 11/16/2009
good advice lets pray the people of BARBADOOS follow you are a good leader and GOD fearing which speak good for you as GOD will see you through these hard times thats his promise to his people

: 11/16/2009
You can talk all you want Mr.Prime Minister they have the government at the end of the day to call on so why should they care. Someone should also keep reminding young people that youth is not forever and they have to start very young to save nd look forward to their old age. It might sound crazy now ,but time goes so quickly it will be here before they know it. Look at their foreparents now, expect the govt to cough up everything for their survival. be warned!

POOR EXCUSE : 11/16/2009
I applaud our leader for that last statement because as a citizen I would not like any government to rob the poor. However, his economic strategies of the last couple months are cause for serious concern. Maybe if “poor people” like me, (and I pray to be well off one day) take stock of what has occurred in his government we would realize that he is taking us down a road of dissolution. The mentality of giving the poor fish is not the solution. Think for yourselves my Bajan brothers and sisters if the government continues to give us as “poor people” who will be charged to pay? Is it not the rich? Do they not own the business? Are they not the ones who employ us? What then? As consumers we would foot a bigger bill as we are right now. So I agree Your Honourable David Thompson government should not rob the poor but realize the filtration of the high taxes will rob us of what you give us. Caution you are on the way of creation two distinct extremes “very rich” and “in poverty”. Be careful unless you crumble the nation our forefathers have built up. Be careful unless our motto changes to ‘pride and out to sea’.