Is this the start of the doom and gloom ?

[SandyB]

One reads the papers .. interest rates up , fuel up , food prices spiralling .. people feeling the pinch .. yes definitely so .. I am fortunate , well provided for financialy   , and employed .. so yes it does not "affect' me and i can absorb the shocks to come for a long time ..  but thats a contradiction , cos yes it does affect me .. I have been in very tight financial situations years ago  so I know how it feels .. and its difficult to not notice whats going on around one  and yes to feel for the plight facing many  presently  and soon  many more will join the ranks .. my observations in my daily doings.

Went to Canal walk last week sunday  .. ( normally chocablock full  and battle to find parking even mid month  )  half empty ...
The intersection in Pinelands  opposite BP filling station .. normally one or two cars parked with for sale signs .. ( private sale )  yesterday  7 cars parked there  from luxury to run of the mill ..
A white kid selling newspapers at the shoprite intersection in Mowbray ...
More private sale signs on homes ...
More holiday homes seem to be going up for sale
I can go  on and on .. all signs  that people are starting to feel the pain ..
Seeing this  sort of thing can affect  one .. its fine for many .. they can downscale  and weather the storm .. what about those on the edge ? or those over the edge ?

The old saying that when poverty knocks on the front door .. love goes flying out the back door ?? more  strife in families ? depression , suicides ?  social unrest ?
All I can say is that those of us that are  more fortunate must count our blessings , be strong  so as not  to allow any of the negative  energy of what is to come  to spill over onto us .. and yes wherever one can without compromising our own security give help where seen as  needed  and deserving ..
Just  my 2 c worth ..

[Michael Alexander]

Here's my R2.00 worth


Fine words Sandy, but bear in mind, most people tend to squander their income, and do not save for a rainy day, well that rain day has arrived.... not just one day, but a whole year of it..... those that saved, well they are away..... but yes, the masses are gonna suffer.... and it's gonna get worse.......

[SandyB]

Well aware of the fact that many have indeed squandered Mike .. easy credit .. max the cards .. buy the flashy car as opposed to one more  approriate to ones needs .... give in to the lure of the " label" at all costs .. still its not easy seeing the rainy days happen ...

where seen as  needed  and deserving ..   is the  watchword here ..

I gather you  must be  pretty flush  as you  put in R 2's worth  202  compared to my 2 c ?/

[Michael Alexander]

I ain't flush..... but for the last 13 years , Michele has controlled every cent..... ANd she is good at it..... now, It's paying off....

On the other side, I think a lot of business's have a lot to answer for ... giving credit out too easily....

[SandyB]

Your  financial manager .. yes women can be very good at it .. and yes the banks handing out too easy credit ..  I get  regular calls offering  loans and newer and better cards .. I just politely decline ...  like said been down the painfull road many years ago  and that was  not even squandering  . just a change in the financial input end  of  the joint plans that John and I had ..

[Michael Alexander]

@Sandy.... Who controlled the bucks when, John was still with us? (I ain't being funny!)

[SandyB]

Finances were pretty much intermingled .. joint bonds joint municipal accounts .. we made joint decisions  based upon each ones financial position or input capability at the time  .. who pays what  shared out according to that capability .. and of  course joint decisions on risk  eg bonds  ( buying property next door and making the two into one )  ,aquisitions ( note eastern art collection ) ..  and yes rode out the good and the bad times together  based on those decisions ..  and yes made  provision  for each other in the case of demise ...

[henniek]

got hold of a old logbook of mine
one entry reads : Travel from Steynsburg to Van Rynsdorp .  857 km . used 73.2 liters petrol @28 cent /l
Cost = R20.49