The petrol price is going up again next week by 50c/litre, it looks like interests rates are set to rise again and Eskom has announced that prices will double in the next 5 years.
In fact, Eskom warns that there could even be a total blackout if we can’t decrease the demand for power or come up with the money for massive infrastructure developments (huh?). That’s according to Jacob Maroga, CE of Eskom Holdings at a Mail & Guardian business breakfast yesterday, as reported by IT Online. He went on to say: “”What happens if there is a full blackout is that the entire system collapses – and when this happens it could take two weeks to recover.”
Holy cow! That’s very scary.
This picture is not looking good for us at all and I am worried. Are we going to see interest rates hitting 25.5% again? Those days were oh so tough; I dread to think we’re going back there again. Even if they don’t quite reach those heights, the effect is still painful. There are so many people already living below the breadline, it’s distressing to think how this is affecting them.
What needs to happen for our economy to improve? I have no clue, I know nothing about economics but with the soaring food and fuel prices we are definitely facing hard times ahead. Methinks it’ll be very difficult to make ends meet unless I make a conscious, concerted effort to save money where I can.
Shower with a friend, hey? =)
No, seriously, here are some of my ideas to save money and power at home:
- Make sure I draw up a budget for each month and stick to it
- Pay off my debt – start with the smaller loans first
- Take my credit card out of my purse and leave it at home
- Pay for purchases on a cash-only basis
- Avoid window shopping – too much temptation
- Buy in bulk where possible
- Start cooking more – no more takeaways and convenience foods
- Water down some beverages to make them go further
- Continue with switching off lights and unused appliances
- Use the fireplace and hot water bottles more, heaters less
- Turn the geyser off during the day
- Forget about my bi-annual trip to the hairdresser
- Cut down on smoking
- Ask the kids to reduce phone time
- Place all saved monies into an investment account
What else? Any other ideas?