Absolute safety… a myth?

The spate of robberies in the recent times, particularly targeting the locked houses and senior citizens led one to ask why have so much of cash and jewels at home?  Why can't people make use of the Banks, is the most heard remark.

True, barring basic essentials the cash could be deposited in a bank and whenever required could be withdrawn.

So, whenever I require money I need to rush to the Bank before I start for my office at 7 AM, whereas the banks open only after 8, asked the now busy bees of the younger lot.

The retired banker at home questions their knowledge and asks why can't they use the ATM, on their way to office!

The student at home comes with a bullet point list of what she read about the cyber security or the lack of it, in using ATMs, particularly debit cards.

OK, OK atleast you can have reasonable cash for a week, visit a bank branch and replenish for the next week. But, why can't you use the bank's lockers for keeping your gold and other valuables.

How come we could use the banks lockers' with so much of bank robberies happening nowadays which does not exclude lockers, asks the grandma?

The maami at home pitches in and says that's why she would like to wear the ornaments daily one at a time, when she goes to temple or market.

An aghast Mamaji "No way, with so much of chain snatching, nowadays even in daylight"

The son says, "don’t worry papa, your general insurance covers even chain snatching".

But papa says "Oh it’s a long process. First, you must have all the jewels estimated , file the appraiser report with the Insurance company, after the chain snatching incident must file a complaint with Police, then get a report from Police that it is not traceable, which is very difficult…"

How about storing atleast your important documents like property deeds in the locker?

Haven't you heard about the flood that entered a bank which completely muddied the documents in the locker, which was placed at the basement of the building? Also, a raging fire could race down the building where the documents are sitting ducks!

In that case, even a Tsunami or an earthquake could affect your own house too?

No problem, I have insured my flat.

Do you know that the apartment has to be specifically insured for Fire, Tsunami, Earthquake , Flood, Riots and other perils?

But then your apartment is now worth 80 lakhs but you have insured only for 50 lakhs and after depreciation, you may get only around 30. Can you rebuild the flat again with it? Also, only you are insured but what about your neighbor- what if they have not insured. Net result is you may get some money but not a dwelling unit- how come are you going to protect against it?

Very true, two of my neighbors failed to pay water tax and the authorities have disconnected the water connection for the entire complex.

No, a recent court judgment says all the residents are bound to pay common taxes, otherwise the association can pay for it.

The grand old man of the family walking in says, That's why I say just be satisfied with your pension. Get it every month and spend it. No tension

The IT guys screams "Mine is not a pensionable job" - what to do?

The guy from the laptop look up and says here is a report which says that the state has gone bankrupt and so the pensions are slashed : http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57395072/as-cities-go-broke-pensions-are-slashed/

Old man collapses, papaji dunks his head into the newspapers and the lad back to his laptop.

A patti manram speaker was intoning from Television:

வீட்டைச் சுற்றி தோட்டம் போட்டேன்

தோட்டத்தைச் சுற்றி வேலி போட்டேன்

வேலியைச் சுற்றிக் காவல் போட்டேன்

காவலைப் பற்றிக் கவலை பட்டேன்