Yes, everywhere you go, you hear the word Recession. We had two services at church (which I appreciated), papers, at work, everybody talks about it.
I said to my husband yesterday that I felt it a long time ago. We are one of the fortunate families that do battle financially, but we survive. As the guy at church said yesterday, the difference between recession and depression - recession is when your neighbour loses his car. Depression, when you lose yours.
The moral of the story is:- we had a good life. We bought what we wanted, we lived the life of people not even thinking of the day of tomorrow. I know that was my problem. As I said on Friday, we do battle, not because of what we did, but what the economy did to us. The truth is, we did not think of the day of tomorrow. Now we are all paying the price.
André said that if we cannot pay our debts, we must go and see the companies ourselves. I do have a problem just thinking about it. When the new credit act was implemented, they all accepted everything, when they gave people credit cards with a credit limit of R30 000 (I know somebody who got one), they did not think about it. Now, if that person cannot pay (asking them if he can pay less than the amount he is supposed to), they just said no. Without explanation or thank you for a part payment, or is there some way we can accommodate you by helping you with a new premium, which will be less than the one you are currently paying? How will the people react at treatment like that? With the new credit act (according to them), they will put you on the blacklist if you do not pay the full amount within a certain period.
Were you privileged enough to be phoned because you paid R20 short on your account. Believe me, I was phoned for R20 and I have been told that if I do not pay it before the end of that month, I will be blacklisted. The fact that I did not received my statement, and I just paid what I paid the previous month, did not even made an impression. I have heard of a lot of people with similar incidents.
Now, listening to stories like this, our new credit controllers (who are employed just to collect the money, no matter what), do not always have the interpersonal skills, which is necessary because our people feel beaten. They will just fire you with questions, and if you ask for time or a smaller payment, they just say no. This is definitely happening. I have heard of a person who was phoned by her bank and she asked if she can pay less (which was 3/4 of the amount - say she had to pay R1 000, she asked if she can pay R750), the answer came without hesitation - NO. She borrowed the money in order to pay the bank and for fear of being blacklisted.
You will ask why do I mention this. Easy! If we (as South Africans) must go and see our creditors and they keep on treating the people this way, how many people will go and ask for extension. A few years back, you could do something like this and did not have the fear of being blacklisted.
Another thing he said, "Start with what you have". OK, I have got an over locker, sewing machine, extra TV, etc. How do you get rid of that. I have never been in a pawnshop to pawn stuff, but what I heard, you do not get money. To put an ad in the paper will cost you a lot of money. Maybe we must think and organise with the churches to have the "yard sale" on their premises. Anybody who have anything will be able to sell it there.
Do not buy new things. That is very important. Get rid of all the debts that makes you a slave.
Keep a budget - here I am very guilty as charged.
Well, after saying so much, you must realise just how much I enjoyed it and I definitely listened.
Keep focused and stay positive. We must pray for each other and help each other (maybe you see what another person is doing, that he must change a few things), because if anything, we definitely need each other.
Will talk to you again on Monday, because I am out of office for the rest of the week.
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