The I-Phone purchase: You monstrous, beautiful thing

So Maiyuu has bought his I-Phone. I have to agree with my boyfriend - they are the most beautiful things.

As I write, he has his head down poking away at the buttons. I also agree with Anonymous (whoever he is) that I-Phones are fun, and that everyone needs a toy. What I don't like is that he has gone into hire purchase debt to buy it.

I looked up True's website, where details of the I-Phone offer are posted. It does not allow early repayment, so Maiyuu is stuck with that (admittedly small) debt for the next two years. Good luck!

I asked him how he intends to find the money each month to pay it. 'I will spend less money on food, especially baking for us at home.'

He will also ask a friend about the possibility of supplying baking to a shop she owns. 'I could make two or three bakery items for sale in her shop every day,' he says.

Maiyuu has a gay friend called Joe, who lives in our old condo in Thon Buri. Yesterday he went to see Joe, to proudly show him his new phone purchase.

Joe's boyfriend has a sister who runs a coffee shop in town. Maiyuu says he will talk to her about supplying her with baking.

I can't see it happening myelf, as Maiyuu lacks motivation. At this stage, it's just talk. However, for his own good, and mine, he should indeed find some work to do.

I would take it as a sign of good faith that he is still prepared to act responsibly, and is not wilfully abandoning the financial good sense I have drummed into his head over the last nine years.

One small bauble of advice I gave him many years ago was: 'Don't get into debt!'

We do not own credit cards. In fact, I won't allow it.

Thailand is a cash (and hire-purchase) -based economy. Consumers do not rack up purchases on credit cards as a matter of course, if for no other reason that the cards cannot be used as easily here as they are in the West.

When we met, Maiyuu was so ignorant about finances that he did not know how interest rates worked.

These days, he's better. 'True is not charging me interest rates for the I-Phone, as we are subscribers to their television service,' he says.

'I have thought about this purchase carefully for months.'

Encouraging?

'I know we can cut expenses, and find money not just to pay for the I-Phone but also save at least B1,000 extra every month, for those times when we need it, and for things you want, such as Lasik treatment on your eyes.'

 
How sweet. I will believe it when I see it. Maiyuu wants to start the new savings regime next month.

He asked True to set the repayment date on his phone for the first half of the month.

That's also when we pay the rent.

Maiyuu wants me to contact the landlord to ask if we can defer the day we pay rent until the second half of the month, rather than the first.

I get paid twice a month. 'Ask if you can defer rent day for four days. By then your pay for the second half of the month will have come out, and the bill will be easier to pay,' he says.

I haven't asked the owner for permission to defer rent day yet, but already Maiyuu has bought the phone.

Thais just can't wait. Everything has to be 'now'.

Maiyuu says a large queue of Thais was waiting to sign up for the hire purchase plan when he visited the True outlet yesterday.

No doubt these are many of the same Thais who visit the pawn-broker's shop every month when money runs out for basic groceries.

At least two of Maiyuu's friends from our old condo, including Joe, visit pawnshops. I know, because Maiyuu used to keep the pawn tickets on their behalf. Yet I bet if I asked to look at their cellphones, they would own smarter, more modern models than mine.

My phone is ancient, it is true. But then I don't care for technology, nor see the appeal in parading the latest gadgets before my friends. Who cares?

Maiyuu now has a new phone number to go with the I-Phone.

He will give me his old phone - which is also more modern than mine - now that he no longer has any need for it.

When Maiyuu walked in after visiting the True shop yesterday, I immediately asked whether he had bought the thing.

Earlier, as he left home, I sent him several SMS messages, urging him to think again.

I must have looked worried. 'Yes,I bought it...are you alright?' Maiyuu asked.

'Don't get stressed. I have thought this through carefully, and it won't cause any problems.'

I sat on Maiyuu's bed as he told me excitedly about his new purchase. He looked lovely, and for a brief moment I put aside my worries and decided that his worries are my own, just as any partner should.

Later, I reminded myself that such thinking is nonsense, because I can never hope to get through to this young man.

Today, it's an I-Phone. Next time he sees something else which he just must have, we'll go through this drama again.

Once, I would have found the prospect of more emotional turmoil depressing. Now, I realise, I don't care.

Is this the Buddhist state of nirvana - not caring about anything? No. It's just resignation - an unwillingness to carry on struggling pointlessly.

I started withdrawing myself emotionally from this place some months ago - back when we moved condos, in fact. I lost my regular daily contact with Thais.

Now, I spend my days at my condo, or a the condo pool. I rarely venture anywhere else, as I have seen it all before, and can't be bothered.

Maiyuu provides for my needs, and I love sharing my life with him. But if he wants to destroy our life with these hare-brained financial decisions, he can go ahead.

I believe I am ready to start a new life in the West, if ever I have to walk away. I want to see what westerners have been getting up to, during the nine years I have been away.

I belong over there, not here. If the day comes when I leave, I shall give Maiyu a chunk of the superannuation fund I am saving at work, then just go.

At the moment, I still love him, so am not contemplating leaving. But if it all comes unravelled financially, then I know what I must do.