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Excellent point
24/04/2008 10:39
An excellent article, and very to the point. Having recently joined the corporate world 9 months ago I am amazed at how my very recently generous salary has become one of barely covering costs every month. I am one of the lucky ones who doesnt have any real debt or a bond yet just on food and fuel I have completely stopped any frivilous spending on luxuries like clothing and eating out during the week. The scary thing about this is my salary is actually very reasonable for my age... - Justin |
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Spot on
24/04/2008 10:41
I too have been battling to keep my head above the water, waking up every day wondering how I am going to feed my family. My house alone has gone up with almost R7000 per month. 4 bags of groceries now equates to R700. Bringing a child into this world costs an arm and a leg now, just on food and nappies. You can?t get business, because people cannot afford your product. It's a vicious circle. I also ask where it will end. - Mark |
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I agree
24/04/2008 10:43
Tito Mboweni will only understand his hapless monetary policy when he is fired and has to really work for a living , buy a home, pay for medical, pay for school kids, pay for everthying you have to do or not do.[Either way it costs money] - Therk |
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When one reads things such as...
24/04/2008 10:45
the price of grain having increased by 150% worldwide since March 2007,it makes you actually realise what serious s..t this country and the world are heading for.Millions in the world are already spending over 80% of their monthly income just on food! It is true what they say,future wars will not be fought over differing ideologies and land but rather over food and water,unless something is done urgently to counter global warming etc. - The Truth |
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Goto the following web address...
24/04/2008 10:45
..http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/statsdownload.asp?PPN=P0141&SCH=4144 and open the document. Look at page 24. Scary! - jannie |
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I can't either
24/04/2008 10:46
The more rates increses We get the more We get into more debts trying to cover our daily needs as salaries stay the same.Please can somebody explain this theory of curbing debts? - ML |
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inflation
24/04/2008 10:46
i also have the same experience when shopping for my average normal household products, must say it might even be more than 30%. the normal guy in the street cannot survive anymore let alone save. - jaco van rensburg |
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hope
24/04/2008 10:46
I want to say thanks to Tito for his wonderful job of pulling the leashes on the runnaway horse. Thanks to the increases I will actually be able to afford a home as a first-time buyer. - Tinus |
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The noose is tightning
24/04/2008 10:49
I Iaggree whole heartidly with you, I have restructured and settled my debt a while back, only to find my self dipping into my overdraft now as my current salary just doesnt do it anymore, I dont have a fancy house , car ,toys. Yet Im struggling to keep my head above the water. I have family in Europe, who dont earn fantastic salaries but they manage to save money each month , have a decent house and live well, maybe emmegrating sounds good. - Running in the red |
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Fooling the public
24/04/2008 10:49
You are spot on with your letter. I too have recently done the same exercise but on the fuel that i use. I bought a bantam bakkie in 2000, the first tank of petrol cost me R180. Yesterday i filled up and the cost is now R415. It is now getting beyond a joke. - David |
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Never has there been a truer statement than this one!
24/04/2008 10:51
Could it be that these people are forced to slowly dip deeper into their available credit to carry their basic expenses while they run on a monthly deficit because they can cut costs no further? - Marlene Hanekom |
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Wernardt,
24/04/2008 10:52
companies like Pick & Pay, are in business for only one purpose. To make money. The fact that they sell food doesn't matter. They don't care a damn about your pocket, or whether you can afford to stay alive. They want your money, just have a look at the profits P&P declared. - hjs |
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They Want You To Starve
24/04/2008 10:54
This is all a direct result of our country following the rules imposed on us by the FTA, IMF and the GATT. In order to make our currency "stable" and to ensure stable markets for the first world, our government is forced to adopt financial practices that destroy our own internal production, but increase our export potential. This allows the first world countries to buy our exports (mainly coal, ore and gold) on the cheap, enriching a few of the rich elite, and making the rest poorer. - James Page |
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Cost
24/04/2008 10:55
Well said .... I can not see how increasing the interest rate are going to bring down the oil(fuel) contrabution to the inflation rate. They are just killing the economy. - Theunis |
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No end in sight
24/04/2008 10:56
Day after day I buy the basic bread and milk. Bread price gone up to a all tike high at the Cafe around the block to R13.In every isle of the Supermarket things go up nearly daily at a fenemanal rate.Salaries has not risen since last year July but I pay more every month. Where will it stop. I am now bargain hunting and we only eat the specials of the stores in our area! - mada |
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Wernardt, Agree with increase but not SARB fault.
24/04/2008 10:57
SARB can only use mechanisms available to them, which boils down to control of interest rate. The source of monetary policy is about income & expendature of the country. This needs to be put in perspective. All of us experience simmilar symptoms as in this article, but it is the fatcats that determine monetary Policy. Yes, they (ANC Gov) are screwing us, so VOTE THEM OUT. Businesses must also come to the party. They inflate prices to make profit margins. This becomes perpetual motion like in Zim. - Matrix |
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Bottom line -->
24/04/2008 11:02
Higher demand, lower availability, the higher the prices of goods and services. Solution, although very difficult when it gets to basic foodstufs, etc... is to refuse financial support for over priced goods and services. Another is to start entrepaneurships and serve local communities that cut out the self enrichment organisations. So! How about it? Where are these entrepaneurs? Cut out the middle-wo/men. Many examples where this can & will work. - Matrix |
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Increases.
24/04/2008 11:03
Everything is directly connected to the Petrol price...which is connected to the oil price...which is connected to the US$ ...which is connected to our pathetic exchange rate to the Rand. - We must look at WHY the rand is falling so fast. Remember: Government Ministers are earning MASSIVE salaries, and they don't feel the squeeze yet, so they don't NEED to care. - Juan |
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madness it is!!!
24/04/2008 11:03
How can Tito expect us ordinary South Africans to save and spend less when we have nothing to save, we can hardly afford basic necessities, however, this guy expects us to spend less and save. We are forced to go to loan sharks and borrow more money to keep the light burning, our monetary policy needs to be relooked at, its cripling us, we will end up living on bread and water only, this thing is ridiculous, ever rising costs, my brother I agree 100%, perhaps the rich should foot the bill - Bonjo |
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Govt.
24/04/2008 11:04
Everything is directly connected to the Petrol price...which is connected to the oil price...which is connected to the US$ ...which is connected to our pathetic exchange rate to the Rand. - We must look at WHY the rand is falling so fast. Remember: Government Ministers are earning MASSIVE salaries, and they don't feel the squeeze yet, so they don't NEED to care. - Juan |
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Thats easy...
24/04/2008 11:05
Our finance minister and the ever caring ANC have told you that you should grow some mealies in your garden to curve the inflation you are currently experiencing, now shut up and get planting, thanks Trevor...crisis, what crisis - me |
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I feel you
24/04/2008 11:08
Inflation is decieving because we also have to pay bonds. so, inflation takes away your income, in addition to interest rates and other taxes which are added to petrol. Furthermore, the price of petrol is not added to inflation, rather the effect, which often is felt much later as a result of increases in production costs. The figure of 30% is closer to reality than 105 if you take everything into account - Len van Heerden |
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Where does it end?
24/04/2008 11:09
My grocery bill alone has increased by 45 % in the last year! I haven't even calcualted my pertol but I don't have to drive too far to work. Luckily the only debt I have is a house and a car and both are fixed at about 3-4 % below the current rate. Unfortunately there are people I know who are on the verge of going bust. - envirokid |
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Food Prices
24/04/2008 11:09
Here is an example of the "real" food inflation rate. Pick n Pay pork kebabs..sell by date 17th April @ R44.95/kg. On the same shelf, the same product with a sell-by sate of 24thApril @ R59.99/kg. Yes we all know that meat prices fluctuate based on market demand & availability, but this represents a 33% increase in a week. I think you will find that this is not an isolated example and it may be interesting to track whether the price ever comes down again!
John - john pratt |
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Mada
24/04/2008 11:10
If you pay R13 for bread then you need to try another suprmarket. No one is forcing you to buy from one place, if they are ripping you off. Inflation does not account for people who obviously pay beyond what should be acceptable. - L van Heerden |
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I also can't afford to live!
24/04/2008 11:12
I'm so glad I'm not the only one. But with 3 and 5% increases last year, what do you expect!!?? Things have become so expensive that I need a 20% increase just to be able to save some money as our finance minister insists upon! Save??? SAVE WHAT!!!! There is nothing LEFT TO SAVE!!!! This is ridiculous, your absolutely right!! I don't even want to try and imagine how the really poor people survive..... It's frightening! - Suzz |
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One meal a day
24/04/2008 11:13
It has become so hectic, that we as a family have resorted to one decent meal a day. Besides that, we have to rely on a sandwich or something small and simple. I eran an above average salary, but am also forced into my credit line every month. Hiking interest rates is busy killing everybody. - Drifter |
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Bond Rate
24/04/2008 11:13
It is time that government consider excluding homes from interest rate fluctuations. Surely, for some buying a home at 10% interest rate, it is unfair that they should be expected to budget for an interest of 20% when all they want is to house themselves and reduce the burden on the state. furthermore, a house is an investment and first time owners should be allowed fixed rates of 10% for first 5 years. - LvH |
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luxury goods
24/04/2008 11:16
i was at macro staurday, buying essential.
the trolleys around me were full of luxury goods, i mean full. in one trolley, a plazma, a Xbox and WII and 2 high end gas heaters.7 garmin navigators in 7 minutes done. Who says people are cutting back. i think the rich are thriving and the poor are kaking. i agree thak basics are up a lot. since january, at least 40% more ezpensive to live.
What ate the options?
- redant |
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Pet Peeves
24/04/2008 11:16
I like economists as much as I like DBA's. - MP3 |
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Reality (day three)
24/04/2008 11:16
True.This is in line with what I posted yesterday regarding the SARB's comments on how they would force Saffers to save.
Tito and his band of fools are so far removed from reality that the idea of folks using available debt for essentials does not occur to them.
Net result, prices spiral, salaries do not keep pace, less money in circulation, imports soar at $ rates.Capital outflow.Even less money in circulation.More money printed.News-paper seller millionaires and a virtual Zimbabwe down south. - Bodie |
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Costs
24/04/2008 11:18
Since same time 2006, I spent R300 to fill up and now spend R525. Bond was R8500 and now R10550. Car payments were R3300 and now R3800. R1000 grocery lasted 3 weeks, now last barely 2 weeks. Salary has increased by 10% which does not cover for all expenses. Other items have gone up. Have cancelled my golf and gym memberships and still have nothing to save and Manuel tells me to save. Fly a kite!!!! - LvH |
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Have to point out though...
24/04/2008 11:21
This is happening worldwide, not just in South Africa. - chops |
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Mddle-class disliked
24/04/2008 11:22
As part of the upcoming middle-class, I sometimes feel that we are being hanged out to dry. Think about it, the rich dictate rules and set prices and policy, and the poor have unions and government who at least speak and fight on their behalf. Who's looking out for us? I have given up on acquiring 'luxury' items for some time now, but now my forever rising expense is supporting family in the villages and putting siblings and cousins through tertiary. Tuition, rent, transport, food. Tito, Trevor? - Tefo |
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@ Tinus
24/04/2008 11:22
Do you think all these increases are going to help you afford a house?? Wake up your coffee is cold. To all those who are just waiting for "the day" to come, get comfortable cos u have a long wait. - John Camp |
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Explain bigger picture please..
24/04/2008 11:26
Where are the fools that only YESTERDAY said things are much better now since the ANC governs SA?? I beg you to comment and show the rest of us "the bigger Picture" - Jinx |
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ANC government has big fault in it
24/04/2008 11:29
Interesting that in the US for instance, when interest rate goes up, rates on certian credit like bonds go down... So you stay with your current salary in the same position. Policy like that, again, comes from Government, and come on - the ANC are way too busy structuring a new BEE deal than to look at caring for it's people! - Hendrik |
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you poor sods
24/04/2008 11:29
Sold my house, placed money in fixed term invetsment. Get enough monthly interest. Dont need more to live off as long as the prime and bank interest stays where it is or goes up. Dont currently have assets, but waiting for others to go banckrupt then buy the bargains / reposessions. It works and making greate profits of you sods. - richbitch |
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They promised us a rose garden.
24/04/2008 11:29
I have planted my own veggie garden, a few fruit trees and meat is not on our menu anymore. Except mince, which I buy at a special place...which tonight wil become spaghetti bolognaise.. hardly any cheese, the rest all gets thrown together tommorrow, maybe more noodles a bit of veggies and lots of curry, star aniseed, cumin, cinnamon etc. Lovely. Weekend, salads and bread. Wonder what THEY eat every day, with 2 boiled potatoes. The future.. Heaven only knows. - Alicia |
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Monetary policy...
24/04/2008 11:30
and fiscal policy are very good controls of an economy. The fact that you cannot afford as much as you could means you will buy less. Its working like a charm. The fact that food and fuel prices etc are increasing points to a different problem. I suggest you research the problems and think long and hard about how you can help solve it. you might find you need those solutions real soon... - mallencolly |
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Relief
24/04/2008 11:34
What also baffles me Wernardt is that we do not get any relief from this govt.We have a huge surplus from 2007.One can only wonder where Trev is stashing it.The US govt is offering some relief to home owners because of their mortgage crisis.We just get told to lump it and that we spend too much.Wait for food riots to start here because it will affect the really poor sooner than we think. - psycobabble |
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WE NEED INCREASE IN SALARIES
24/04/2008 11:37
Everything's increasing, can we please have an increase in salary. How are we suppose to survive if everything's going up except our salary. - Michelle |
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crisis
24/04/2008 11:38
coming from one of the most rural parts of SA, the situation is even worse, the cost of getting goods to these remote areas costs more. 5 million South Africans mostly living in similar areas earn less than US$1 a day. crisis what crisis - luke |
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LvH
24/04/2008 11:38
I agree. If the CPIX is determined without mortgage then why can they not exclude mortgages from the Interest Rate Hike. My bond is my only debt and in the last 9 months it has risen to over R3500 a month!!! This has reduced my capability of paying cash for goods such as groceries. I cannot and do not spend money on luxuries, I save more then 10% in electricity and my car is paid off yet I am getting closer and closer to HAVING to use my credit card to pay for food. - Point Blank |
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SARB going in opposite direction to major world banks
24/04/2008 11:39
The UK and USA have (for instance) been progressively LOWERING interest rates to stimulate growth. My little brain cannot understand how the reduction of money in your pocket (via interest rate hikes) will lower inflation, while prices increases are generally due to other factors? - mikehunt |
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sarb
24/04/2008 11:39
Wernardt, and the rest, these bean counters sit on there a**es and count beans in a bottle that was filled in 19 voertsek and does not include things like bonds or the price of a kilo of bones now. They include petrol and stuff and tell us we spend to much. But sh**t I work for my money and only buy where and what I can aford and still this simple eischkom wants me to save more. The toll roads went up the diesel is nearly R2 more than Petrol,Governments part is already 41% of a litre, what's next - PAYER |
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Tired of it and leaving
24/04/2008 11:39
I recently got married and thought with two incomes it would be better. NOT. We struggle to meet our committments and have started cancelling policies etc just to survive. Luckily, he is British and we are leaving at the end of the year after doing a LOT of research on the UK. We can live a comfortable life, go on holiday and save in the UK!!!! The British government at least looks after its citizens, young and old. Viva Britain, can't wait to get there!!!!! - CAB |
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Inflation
24/04/2008 11:40
The fuel increase has had a ripple effect on the consumer. Government wants to curb spending by increasing interest rates but more and more people are forced to buy basics on credit, just to live so the vicious circle continued. And, has it occured to anyone that the exhorbiant diesel price increases happened almost at the same time that load shedding started and diesel powered generators are being used!! Interesting huh!!!
- Gee PMB |
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Tired of it and leaving
24/04/2008 11:40
I recently got married and thought with two incomes it would be better. NOT. We struggle to meet our committments and have started cancelling policies etc just to survive. Luckily, he is British and we are leaving at the end of the year after doing a LOT of research on the UK. We can live a comfortable life, go on holiday and save in the UK!!!! The British government at least looks after its citizens, young and old. Viva Britain, can't wait to get there!!!!! - CAB |
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ANC protagonists go take a hike
24/04/2008 11:45
Why must you idiots always pick on the government, whic has one of the most sound fiscal policies in Africa and a Minister of Finance who is respected worldwide. Many of the factors that have influenced price hikes (eg oil price, value of the rand, price of basic commodities, etc) are mainly due to external influences. So pray tell me why the blame must always be put on the ANC? - saliem |
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Simple
24/04/2008 11:47
Like Russia, gov must control basic living costs, and keep it minimal, but its like trying to get good service at home affairs. - JB |
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Reply to Cab
24/04/2008 11:48
You Go! I wish you all the very best! And I dont blame you. My son and his family are there, except for the weather, they love it thereGOOD LUCK - carol |
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Thanks for that bit of useless information CAB
24/04/2008 11:49
Obviously you haven't heard of the dispute over the proposed removal of the 10p tax by the UK government yet.Nevertheless enjoy,but no need to shove it down our throats over here.We are actually better off without people like you (and by the way,the global financial crisis is affecting the UK & Europe as well,no country is safe). - The Truth |
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People don't seem to realise
24/04/2008 11:49
...that we actually pay more than we think in taxes. Most people never take into account that apart from your regular PAYE, on top of that you have to slap the 14%VAT you pay for everything else as well. - Currently Disadvantaged |
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Food crisis
24/04/2008 11:50
It is funny how the wheel of evolution turns,All of this will not have been a problem if proper planning and implementation is done!Agriculture remains at the heart of a good economy,that has been neglected as it was better to export than to ensure your people are fed.You must remember decision makers earn over and above R700k it is easy to forget the suffering of the middle and lower class.SA has enough manpower and resources to be sustainable!start doing it! - Mike |
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100%
24/04/2008 11:51
On the subject of fuel prices why can the government look at reducing the Tax on the petrol, diesel and paraffin? According to Money web only 63% of price goes towards the actual cost of fuel. So, basically when the price goes up the government, fuel retailers and one of the biggest problems SASOL make more money. I mention Sasol because of the fact that Sasol produces petrol at a much lower cost than normal fuel company?s ex. Engine ext. To prove this just have a look at Sasol's profits. - Henneri |
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Screwed, all of us!!!
24/04/2008 11:54
I've tried cutting out buying anything I don't need and only buy essentials. But interest rate increases have sucked up anything I might have saved how in the fuck does this help bring down inflation???? I work ten minutes away from home, I know I'm lucky but I get paid shit, I could get a better job in Town but then I'd spend all my money on getting to work. I can't relocate cos the interest rates are up to shit. Ok I could sell my house(a small house)and move into a flat but the property marke - Mikey |
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Confused
24/04/2008 11:54
Three yeards ago I was not overindebted and could pay my bond/HP's comfortably and still save. Now I am unable to save and am dipping into my savings despite cutting back drastically on luxuries. The rate increases has made me overindebted, something which I am told it was intended to prevent. I'll never understand economics. - Phumba |
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How do we make a living??????
24/04/2008 11:55
It pains me to think that I have a one year old to look after, bills to pay, groceries to buy and also spend a huge chunk of money to get to my place of work. My salary is just not enough, with practically just about anything expensive in this country, and our salaries stagnant as ever, I wonder what our lives will be like come end 2009... MEL - MEL |
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The middle class is screwed
24/04/2008 11:55
Soon there will only be rich people and poor people! No middle class this is going to happen worldwide. - Mikey |
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Despite the cost of living
24/04/2008 11:56
it still seems pretty popular...cheer up guys at least we still have sunshine.. - me |
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Penalty interest rate hikes
24/04/2008 11:57
Good article - SA consumers are being held accountable and penalised for things that they have no control over, i.e. Eskom's power crisis, international oil price, rising international food prices. For the past two years the highest salary increase granted in my spouse's company was just under 6%. We are going backward at such a rate that a new category will have to be created PMC - Previously Middle Class. - dne |
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24/04/2008 11:57
I haven't had a raise in nearly 2 years! - mikey |
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food prices
24/04/2008 11:57
My husband and I earn fairly decent salaries. We have never rolled in the dough so to speak, but we were comfortable. Now, we really battle to make it to the end of the month and we don't eat out, or buy takeaways, no going to movies etc. We pay the bills and buy the very basics but we are battling. And they want us to SAVE? Save WHAT??? - AS |
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Interest rates
24/04/2008 11:57
For those who point to the supply-demand mechanism: Yes, i do understand basic economics thank you very much. The problem is more complex than that. There will always be a demand for food, people need to feed themselves. It doesn't work the exact same way as luxury goods where business can lower its 200% margin on BMWs to 150% to sell a few more. Granted, PnP is posting huge profits and I've always wondered why, when transport costs decreased in the past, food was never "marked down". - Wernardt |
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Can't afford to breed-ha ha ha!
24/04/2008 11:57
Eish! I've been hoping to make a family of 6 but may have to reconsider. Will govt help me realise my dream of 6 kids I can't afford? - lekkalik |
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Any suggestion
24/04/2008 11:59
I understand and agree with most of the complaints but I dont see any fiesible answers coming out, just a list of problems and very few solutions that would actuly work. What could be done to change this, solutions would be better than complaints,
I dont have the answer and I am battling to keep afloat, I would love to give all my staff a 20% increase but that would have to be passed on to my customers, even if I didnt take an increase. all my staff earn similar sallaries to me. - In the same boat |
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Hello...
24/04/2008 12:00
Curb your spending. Why are you victimising yrselves to this extend? Who is the consumption class? BUY BUY BUY..You guys think that consumption is a right and blame whoeva but yourselves for your obsessive behaviour. What a cheek..(no correction)...what a joke! - Cape Town Kid |
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CLOBAL ISSUE
24/04/2008 12:00
When foods rises like this please let we sympithised with Zimbabians,they presently strungle to buy everything how they go to manage this worldwidd general increases.our cpix is 10.1%what is theirs? - Bethuel |
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Condition of SA
24/04/2008 12:02
A country is run like a corporation. Why can the ANC not get back all the billions that have been stolen and sort the country out. They have even pulled our oil reserve through their behinds. IFP should have governed the country. - joan |
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@Jinx
24/04/2008 12:03
Mr Jinx ...i did not need to use my calculator to find out that my monthly expenditure has increased by 50% & my surplus decreased by the same margin,the world has been hit by the same economic Bus & SA is no exception.So stop trippin!! - Les-Maada |
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LvH
24/04/2008 12:03
"HEAR HEAR" on your home loan suggestion.From your mouth to Messrs. Manuel & Mboweni's ears I hope,but remember some of us in SA couldn't even afford "golf and gym memberships" to begin with.My heart bleeds custard for you in that respect.You will just have to buy yourself a Nintendo WII & survive somehow.It will be tough but you will cope,I'm sure. - The Truth |
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Hogwash
24/04/2008 12:05
And pie in the sky..... Probably copied and pasted some idiots details and passing it off as yr own. Well at least you can go into Pick and Pay, heh heh. To those who think the grass is greener on the other side, GO, pak jou goed en voetsek Ferreira, its a global thing! - Cmon Now |
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@the truth
24/04/2008 12:06
an economist on 702 this morning said SA is one of a few in the world that will manage to grow it's GDP in the current economic climate. And ppl comparing SA to the US & UK are simply delusional, our social challenges are nowhere close.
Do they even realise that the US economy is suffering? and it's impact on world markets? Just check the stock market and equity markets. Blaming the government for world markets simply shows a lack understanding to what's happening around you.
- tshepo |
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Inflation figures
24/04/2008 12:07
For the past 5 years, our salary increases "are in line with government inflation figures" which means about 5%. The only people who believe these figures are salary planners - the rest of us know that "real" inflation is much, much higher. - Jann |
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RIGHT ON!
24/04/2008 12:09
I worked out about 2 weeks back that come increase time in June I will need a 26% increase from my company to be in the SAME financial position that I was last year June 2007.. That means I will need an increase of +- 36%-38% to be in a real ''raise'' position..
And there is no way in hell my company will give me more than 10% so I'm in a lose-lose situation.. - Gregg |
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Growing mielies
24/04/2008 12:10
Sure, I would be happy to grow mielies in my back yard. Except I DONT HAVE a back yard, because I live in a pigeon hole so that I can be in Johannesburg to take part in growing our corporate economy. I do think that Mike makes a good point, agriculture is way too neglected and we need to start producing more and curbing exports of basic foods so that SA can provide for itself. Our current account deficit needs serious attention. Anyone want to guess where our A grade grain, fruit, veg, etc goes? - Wernardt |
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Disposable income
24/04/2008 12:11
The disposable income for a South African is also a lot less than in other countries. On top of the tax we pay we also have to pay for, medical, security, schooling amongst others. This leaves us with a lot less in our pockets than our European counterparts. - H.F Verwoerd |
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Eco101
24/04/2008 12:12
Okay, in a nutshell, the SARB raises rates bcoz the less you have in your pocket, the less you can spend, demand decreases and retailers are forced to keep price increases to a minimum.Over time this will assist in bringing inflation down.If you exclude mortgage bonds, then this mechanism will not work.Some ppl cannot save, but they can cut back (see redant) - VG |
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SA lifestyle
24/04/2008 12:13
I am amazed at the comments and the article, I have just been back to SA after 5 years abroad and must say S Africans still had a very high quality life compared to anywhere else, most had servants, a luxury , ate more meat thaqn anywhere, had flashy cars , shopping malls buzzing, golf resorts everywhere, houses worth millions and concrete growing like a jungle, are you reporting on the same SA or has the bubble gone plop. - Amazed |
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Cost of Living
24/04/2008 12:13
In SA most things revolve around the exchange rate - so those who advocate for a weak rand have caused a major portion of the delima we find ourselves in. Only the exporters gain a bit whilst the population suffers. Wheat and maize - based on the $, oil and even our own Sasol based on the $, bulk of machinery is imported. So hope and wish for a stronger rand so that our basic costs can come down. And let the rich have their overseas holidays but at least we can eat...... - MickyM |
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Scissor hands
24/04/2008 12:16
I have noticed that the great scissor advertisement only reduces the price of consumables that are classed as luxuries in my world.Why do they not reduce the prices of basic food items.They can afford to reduce the luxury items because they are not their main income. - @me |
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LvH
24/04/2008 12:16
I agree with you... we need a separate interest rate for bonds. Nothing more then 10%. - Ian |
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@ Saliem! we idiots? Think for a change!
24/04/2008 12:17
Trevor announced recently the exorbitant profits from Income Tax, also look at the exorbitant incomes of officials (including allowances), State financed legal cases, around 41% of fuel is taxes and fuel drives the economy, etc... This is money that is taken from you in the form of taxes. This is monatary policy. Give back to the people by either reducing taxes or cut taxes from basic goods. Think or Pay you ID 10 T - Matrix |
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So true
24/04/2008 12:20
Just a quick example of a "small" expenditure I do every day at my local shop around the corner:
1xbread, 1x2L Coke, 1x2L milk, 1x packet of smokes... used to cost around R50 ....now it's closer to R61 ...that's 20% increase .... if my wife stops smokin, and I stop drinking Coke ....that we might be able to afford the bread and milk ... - Harold |
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Big business
24/04/2008 12:22
In the same boat, I understand that SMEs maybe unable to keep up with increases for their workers and remain viable, but big corporations like SASOL and PnP pass these "higher costs" on to consumers to maintain a certain profit margin. Would it kill them so much to dip into the profit margin a bit? Consumers must tighten belts but business mustn't? Since when does economic tough times only apply to citizens and not to business? I understand it's Capitalism but this is rediculous. - Wernardt |
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CAB - Be carefull of r |
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