THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE AGE of frugality has been knocking at our doors for many years now. I'm not sure how many Jamaicans will be in a position to ignore this rather unwelcome visitor. I have, recently, relocated from Montego Bay to Kingston and I am amazed at the rate at which citizens of the capital city devour consumer goods. I get ridiculed for driving a fuel-efficient 1991 Toyota Corolla, for shopping at Bashco and buying my lunch from a fairly decent cookshop.

Why are banks craving business from consumer loans and not dropping rates to the business sector so that we can increase employment and save our economy? Are we radical enough to cut back our profit outlook to ensure that our economy survives this rough period?

Reduce spending

Will we have to create get-out-of-debt offices to rescue the Jamaicans who will go under because of high credit card debts and car loans? Who will give up the $5 million BMW for the $850,000 sedan? Who will buy soup at Island Grill instead of the three-course meal at the place where "the main kitchen equipment failed to work properly?".

When are we going to wake up and face the fact that the economy that pumps money into ours is broke?

Someone needs to wake this country up!

I am, etc.,

ANDREW McKAY

afmckay@hotmail.com

8A Eros Place

Queensbury,

Kingston 20

Via Go-Jamaica