'I'm saving to buy new clothes for my daughters'

The slow pace of business in the city has not stopped people from preparing to return to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri. Some have even set aside a special budget to buy gifts for their relatives at home as part of the yearly tradition. They shared their plans with The Jakarta Post.

Yono, 35, is a street hawker who has been selling cigarettes and candy in Kota, West Jakarta, to motorists for 10 years. He lives nearby with friends. He has a wife and two daughters who live in Gombong, Central Java:

Despite the slow business during the fasting month, I plan to go back in my village to celebrate Idul Fitri.

I have saved some money to buy new clothes for my daughters. My budget is Rp 200,000, more or less, because girl's clothes are very expensive.

I think my children are the main priority. My wife and I do not necessarily need to wear new outfits if we don't have enough money.

I expect to bring home some Rp 700,000 for the celebration as I usually earn that much every month. That money will cover transportation and gifts.

But nowadays business is so sluggish since there are fewer vehicles on the road. I'm feeling a bit down that I haven't earned that much money.

Agus, 21, is a sidewalk vendor who sells fruit cocktail in Pluit, North Jakarta. He comes from Bogor, West Java, and lives in Tanah Merah, North Jakarta:

I must buy new clothes to celebrate Idul Fitri because it would be embarrassing to wear old clothes at a family gathering. This is also part of the tradition so I guess it's normal for us.

I will give my old clothes that are still in a good condition to the poor. They also need to celebrate, right?

I have put aside Rp 300,000 to buy some stylish new clothes and shoes. I don't plan to set aside money to go out or to have a special meal with friends. That's enough.

But, I don't want to go home on the actual day. That's the time when everyone spends and its also the best time for me to make as much money as possible.

Last year during Idul Fitri I was able to earn around Rp 200,000 net a day. I hope I will get that much this year.

Ramo, 33, sells newspapers in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta. He is originally from Tegal, Central Java. He divorced last year and remarried in the same year:

Honestly, I don't have a special budget for the Idul Fitri celebration. But I will try to provide new clothes for myself and my wife.

I don't want to buy expensive clothes. Usually, I buy material and get the tailor to make the clothes. Perhaps for both of us I will just spend around Rp 150,000.

Actually I don't follow that kind of tradition. I mean I don't need to wait for a special occasion to buy new clothes. I also don't have any plan to prepare special meals during the celebration. For me it is just like any other day.

I have no idea whether or not my wife and I will go home. If I go home, I will need at least Rp 500,000 for transportation and for gifts for my relatives in the village.

Usually villagers look forward to getting presents from returning migrants as they are deemed successful in the big city.

Honestly, it's a bit hard for me to spare money for that as my average daily income is only Rp 15,000.

Warno, 40, has worked as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver for a year in Jl. Pakin, North Jakarta. He lives with his wife and three children in Sunda Kelapa, North Jakarta. Warno comes from Pemalang, Central Java:

I will go home after the fasting month to celebrate Idul Fitri with my relatives in my village.

I have to buy new clothes for my wife and children. I have allocated Rp 400,000 to buy new clothes for the whole family.

My wife and two of my children work in factories and collectively we will bring home Rp 2 million in savings to finance the construction of a house we are building there.

The house is important for us. I know that I won't stay in Jakarta for the rest of my life. At some stage I'm sure I'll go home.

As an ojek driver normally I only earn between Rp 20,000 and Rp 40,000 a day.

-- Leo Wahyudi S