As a resident of India, how much dowry were you asked to pay for marriage despite both families being thoroughly educated?
My son is in a relationship with a girl from his office and he never hides anything from us, so I knew about that. Once I asked him about the future of their relationship- "When are you going to marry?" He said- "Her parents are assuming that we will demand high dowry". As soon as he completed his sentence, I immediately called her mother (called her for the very first time), introduced myself and asked them to visit my place or any other place as per their convenience.After few talks the usual sentence arrived -“Apki kya demand hai?”Translation: What are your demands for marriage?To which I answered-"Ginni (her pet name) se achcha kuch hai apke pas to dedena, baki sab to mere ghar hai.”Translation - If you have anything better than your daughter please give me, other than that we have everything.PS: Marriage fixed! The wedding will be simpleEco-friendlyNo noise pollutionNo band baja barat on roadNo waste of foodAnd only dowry is "dulhan", My daughter in law.Edit: Here is the engagement picture-
Park wedding reception tacky?
My fiance and I are to get married July 26th. Without going into to many personal details, have been very tight on money the last few months due to unforseen expenses. We were going to put a deposit down on a banquet hall but now we cant afford it in such short time. I dont need a big wedding, all I want is to wear my wedding dress, marry the love of my life and celebrate with family and friends. I thought we could do our wedding reception at a park pavilion and do majority of the food outselves. My fiance says he wants me to have a nice wedding but I feel that that would be just as nice. Is a park reception considered tacky? I was looking for opinions and maybe even alternatives we sisnt think of. We dont want to postpone and are looking at only 20-25 people
My fiance invited his parents with us on our honeymoon?
Well, let me just say that I am an only child and very close to my mom - never in a million years would it have occurred to me to invite her to go on our honeymoon with us. I think the fact that your fiance did this, and did this without asking you, is a little creepy. Although, the fact that the parents accepted is odd as well. I know that you get along with your in-laws - but think long and hard about this before entering into the family. If he wants his parents to be there on the honeymoon then I doubt there will be much else he will leave them out of. Will they be there the night you conceive a baby just to make sure everything is okay? Maybe that example is over the top - but I think asking the parents on the honeymoon is over the top as well. Well, in any case, just take a step back and look at what you are getting into. If you still go through with these honeymoon arrangements I would talk with him about having his parents fly in for the last week (even though that's still odd) or ask him if it's to late for you guys to switch hotels. This way you aren't right across the hall from each other.
My parents don't want to pay for my wedding? :'(?
Sorry I did come off as a brat but I was just really upset when typing this. I asked them kindly to help but my dad was really mean about it and was like "I won't help AT ALL. Period." He also said we're going to have a failing marriage and basicly that he didn't care at all. My mom is a little better it's just my dad I'm really upset at. All I wanted was some help paying for my wedding dress not the whole wedding. I don't need all kinds of expensive crap either we are just going to have a small and quiet wedding I just wanted my parents to at least like..care.
Where and how do you invest your monthly salary?
Hi All,Awasum answers across from many intellectuals. Thank you for that.My answer’s context is India.Here is my answer and I KIS (keep it simple).Here is some back ground, a married with one 9 year old and staying with my parents. House is paid off and no loans.Age: 36Working Experience- 13 yearsQualification- M.TechI generally do not believe in loans until recent. one of my adviser told me to take home loan and use that money for buying another property as it will give me money at effective rate of 7 % after deducting Tax benefits.I have bought a real estate property again in tier 1 metro city (1.1 Cr.) which is on rent. No loans and fully paid off property.Pointers-I do not buy new phones, all my and wife’s cell phones are used one, I take utmost care while getting a used one, mostly from online portals. I straight away save 30% as I find some phones which are used for just 2- 3 months and available at very cheap rates, I bought a VIVO NEX almost new at 28KWe live frugal, lower middle class life style. Not much fancy and sometime boringMe and wife both believe in simple living and high thinking, we invest in books, holidays, great and quality food and experiencesWe invest in health and things which adds value to life and not lifestyle, we have joined a gym which is nearby but the cheapest in our area. Primary reason is, if the gym is far after a while it will be boring to go everyday. I have never missed 4 days gym in past 5 yearsMy son goes to international board, again nearby my home so no bus expenses, wife goes to drop and pick himSon goes to extra curricular activities everyday- learning chess, guitar, grammars and spoken English etc.No expenses for parents, they take care of them selvesNo liabilities, no loans~70% income goes in savingsPeople say I am miser, I believe them :-)Wife earns 60K a year, she does not invest, she mostly spends in charity, miscellaneous expensesI drive a Honda 2012 model, one of my bike is 12 year old and other one is 1 year oldI use bike going to office, I read some where that “If you are going alone in a car everyday to your workplace, do not consider your self educated”Suggestions are always welcome.Thank you!Edit1: thank you Venkatesh for the suggested edit
Family is fighting over kids birthday party.. NEED ADVICE?
Okay my family is driving me crazy! My son is turning 3 this year and we were planning on having it at my dads house, im only having 1 party. I went out bought all the decorations, invites, etc.. well my mother called and asked if i was having 2 parties i told her no she can come to this one like everyone else.. well since they fight like cats and dogs my mom suggested an alternate location for the party, i told her i couldnt afford it so she said she would pay for the party as long as it was away from my fathers house so she could go. well now that made my father and step mother mad and they are throwing fits now.. its like everything is a mad house and i dont know what to do, id like the party at a fun party place but i dont want to hurt my step mom and dads feelings.. what should i do?