A Dollar Goes a Long Way
Trying to make every dollar count towards the construction of our new boutique resort in Jamaica was a challenge. We had a lot of help from a very good man, Ralston, our construction manager. He knows how to stretch every dollar and get the most value for every dollar. He helped make every penny count.
Papa Poo’s favorite story about Ralston’s character happened soon after we hired him to be our construction manager. It’s the $30 story.
We had been in Jamaica in September to initiate the land clearing. Ralston hired a group of local men to cut down the trees with machetes. Papa Poo instructed Ralston that all the small trees and underbrush could go. They could not remove any of the large trees. They could not cut down any of the sea grape trees, lime trees or fruit tree they came across and they must keep all the large healthy trees. It really was a jungle to begin with and it needed to be thinned out.
All of the initial clearing was done by machete. Every day the men would show up early and begin chopping, piling and burning. Some of the better wood would be put aside to use later for firewood. Once the main machete crew had made some progress, the ladies came in to help with the raking, piling and burning.
One of the things I like about our community is how we look out for one another. Hiring a machete crew also involved providing them with a meal. We would buy chicken or fish, rice, pumpkin and vegetables, some garlic and onion, a little bit of spices and cooking oil. Two guys off the crew, usually Tony and Tyrone, would stop cutting trees, and prepare a meal for everyone. They would start the fire and prepare the meal outside, in the shade, and cook everything over the open fire. We call it Rasta style cooking. How anyone can cook a perfect pot of rice over an open fire is still a mystery to me!
They would work long hours and made great progress. We left money with Ralston to pay the workers, buy food and use for whatever he needed for Villa Jewel Resort. We would be returning in December to check on the progress and make more plans.
When we returned in December we had a lot of appointments. We were on our way to Savanna-la-Mar to visit the Land Office when Papa Poo told Ralston to turn around. We had forgotten to buy food for the workers. Ralston said, ‘No problem, Boss. I had $30 left over from what you leave and I buy them everything they need.’ We were both left with our jaws hanging open. He had managed to pay wages, buy meals and even save money until we returned. He stretched every dollar. As I have previously mentioned, an impeccable character. We often joke that our own children would have pocketed the change, but not Ralston.
When we returned in December, we brought over a chainsaw. Packed it up in a hockey bag and checked it in as oversized baggage. No problem! That chainsaw worked nonstop for days. From our lot to a neighbour, back again, then to another neighbour. That was a much appreciated and much used power tool. You could hear it buzzing every day from somewhere in the neighbourhood.
All of our original machete crew are from the community. We see them now and then and always stop for a chat and to catch up on how things are going and if they are alright. We will forever be grateful for all their hard work and much respect to them.
‘Budgeting isn’t about limiting yourself – it’s about making the things that excite you possible.’
Next time
Baba