🐔You Had Me At "ዶሮ"

Welcome to the latest edition of ፍራንክ Digest!

Your weekly brief on all things Finance and Investing. Quick, enjoyable reads for busy professionals in 5 minutes or less.

Here’s what’s coming your way this Holiday!

• 🔏 Gena-economics: The Financial Significance of Festivities

• 💼 Withholding Tax: Collecting At The Source

• 🗝️ The Key Takeaways

Thanks for reading!

Doro Dreams, Potato Realities

Personal Finance

For those of an Orthodox Christian persuasion, Melkam Gena!

And to the broader ፍራንክ Digest family, we hope the season is treating you well—whether you’re prepping for a festive feast or just enjoying a quieter moment.

The Gena season is here, bringing with it the annual tradition of extravagant feasts, crowded markets—and an inevitable dent in the wallet.

But with chickens soaring in price, it wouldn’t be surprising if ድንች ወጥ took center stage over ዶሮ ወጥ on some dinner tables this year. Potatoes are versatile, right?

Let’s dig ever so slightly into the holiday spending frenzy.

🍗 Doro Dreams on a Budget

The doro situation is, well, pricey.

A good-sized chicken now sets you back anywhere from 850-2,000 birr. We have it on good authority the high-end chicken has a PhD, it’s called Dr. Doro, and its crossed the road all the way to the luxury goods section.

Not far behind, you’ll find the butter (800–950 Birr/kg) and onions (150 Birr/kg) you'll need to bring that wot to life.

By the time you add በርበሬ and all of Emaye’s spices, it’s practically an investment.

Some are eyeing potatoes at 40 Birr per kilo and thinking, “Budget-friendly, delicious, and no academic credentials required. This could work!”

💸 Why Are Prices So High?

Gena isn’t just a time for celebration—it’s also a classic case of supply and demand doing their thing:

• Demand Surge: Everyone wants butter, meat, and spices at the same time. Cue price hikes.

• Global Inflation: Ethiopia’s recent currency devaluation means imported goods (like cooking oil at ETB 250 per liter) cost more.

• Market Madness: Onion prices have doubled this year, and ጤፍ? That’s hovering at 20,000 Birr per quintal (Which equates to ስንት gursha?)

Meanwhile, local markets hustle to keep up, but with inflation nibbling at household budgets, it’s a tightrope walk.

🛍️ Festive Hacks for Smart Spenders

Holiday spending doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how savvy shoppers are keeping costs in check:

• Group Buys: Families and neighbors pool resources to buy bulk items like butter and meat at better prices. Think of it as a holiday equb.

• DIY Magic: Making በርበሬ over ባልታና, or sourcing your butter from outside Addis (if you have the time) can save a surprising amount.

• Alternate Menus: See ድንች ወጥ.

📈 Gena’s Ripple Effect on the Economy

Gena isn’t just about family dinners—it’s an economic engine:

• Local Markets Thrive: From butchers to spice sellers, holiday sales are their bread and butter.

• Jobs Galore: Seasonal work in food prep, retail, and transport gets a solid boost.

• Inflation Pain Point: The festive spending spree highlights just how much inflation is squeezing the average household.

✨ Gena: More Than What’s on the Plate

At its core, Gena is about togetherness.

Whether you’re serving up doro wot, dinich wot, or just some hearty laughs with loved ones, the season is a reminder that joy doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

So, to those celebrating Gena within the Orthodox Christian tradition, Melkam Gena!

And to our wider Frank Digest family—whatever your traditions or beliefs—here’s wishing you a season of connection, gratitude, and financial savvy. After all, smart choices today mean brighter celebrations tomorrow!

Cheers! 🎄

Key Takeaways

1. Chickens in the Luxury League: With price tags hitting 2,000 Birr—who knew chicken could have such high standards?

2. The Uninvited Guest: From 20,000 Birr Teff to 150 Birr onions, inflation is throwing a party, and joining yours.