Ever been thrown one of life’s curveballs? I’m sure all of us have, be it regarding finances, relationships or even life in general.
One such curveball landed in my midst this past weekend when I decided to inspect my cycling equipment, and discovered that there was damage to the shell of my bike helmet. In all honesty, I have no idea how it happened.
Unfortunately, something like that doesn’t wait for a debt free goal to be achieved before happening. Things like that tend to catch a person unawares.
Before embarking on my campaign to get my consumer debt to the zero mark, I had considered the idea of first building an emergency fund, while making minimum payments on the outstanding debt, vs getting stuck in and paying as much as possible on the outstanding amounts. I had initially decided to take the gazelle intensity approach as mentioned by Dave Ramsey and plow every single spare penny into the debt repayment instead – minus having any form of emergency fund set up.
Bad move. Very bad move, girlfriend. I should have known that our friend Murphy would decide to pay me a visit before I had reached the zero mark.
That happened in the form of a damaged cycling helmet, which I discovered quite accidentally over the past weekend while checking the bike over and cleaning it (yes, just another reason that your bike should be cleaned and serviced regularly. You never know when Murphy will visit – just kidding)!
While most people wouldn’t see this as an absolutely essential item to attend to and replace, on this side, it is extremely important, as the bike is used as a means of transport to get to and from work a few days as week. And yes, safety is a non negotiable topic for me, especially the way drivers here in East London behave towards motorists.
As per the photo above, I opted for the Fox Flux mtb helmet. The fit is absolutely amazing, and I didn’t have to leave a kidney behind at the store as a down payment for it ($133 is a small price to pay when you think about the amount of hospital bills it can end up saving me just by wearing it). Adjusting it is a breeze, and then of course, it isn’t often that I admit to having a slightly girly side to me, but it also matches my bike and Camelbak Mule. So all round, it was a win-win decision.
But yes, after this unforseen expense, I have learned the important of building up an emergency fund, and will start doing so from the very next paycheck that arrives.
On that note, does anyone know of any legitimate opportunities in South Africa where one can earn some sideline income legally? If so, please advise.
How many of us have been coerced into paying for products or services that we didn’t really want, or that were unsuitable for us? I’m sure almost every one of you raised at least one hand in answer to that.
Those sneaky timeshare sales people, the pushy sales person in the store that has a target to meet, or that pesky car sales person that possesses levels of tenacity superior to that of Attila the Hun. All of them have been preying on innocent consumers for far too long, because the general attitude towards as us consumers has been, “You’ve signed on the dotted line, so now it’s your problem, and you’re stuck with the goods/service, even if you don’t really want it.”
The 28 April 2010 sees a New Consumer Protection Act launching in South Africa, which will protect the rights of consumers in such situations. The second phase of the Act will come into being from 28 October 2010.
No longer will airlines in South Africa be able to cancel flights for no reason. If a consumer has paid for a service, or a flight in this case, the flight will have to take off, whether there is only one passenger on the flight or not.
Contracts and timeshare will be entitled to a cooling off period of five days. In this time, should the consumer decide that they no longer want the service or product, they will be entitled to cancel the deal. Any money paid will have to then be refunded to them within a maximum of 15 working days.
Consumers will also be protected against defective and dangerous merchandise, as well as foodstuffs. Should a product cause injury or death to a consumer, the consumer or their loved ones will then be able to hold the supplier of the defective goods liable for any damages incurred.
It’s about time that the rights of consumers were heard in South Africa. A bill like this has been needed for a long time already. Although, one can only hope that people will utilise their common sense and not try to turn South Africans into a bunch of spineless, whiny individuals who go around filing lawsuits after burning themselves on a cup of coffee, because they failed to read the warning printed on the bottom of the coffee cup that states, “Caution: Contents may become hot after heating.”
Thoughts? Views? Feel free to comment.
“Special Offer!! Prices never to be repeated!!” “Buy now, and pay over 36 months.”
One of the oldest marketing ploys in the book, yet so many people still seem to fall for it hook, line and sinker. It’s amazing how signage like that in a store window can cause people to behave like frenzied squirrels on an acid trip.
Often, people will tell themselves, “I will only buy what is on special,” but we all know that we will end up leaving the store with so many other extra items, simply because they were advertised as being “on special” – nevermind whether they were needed or not. The marketing monster manages to dig its claws into almost every single one of us. Because, at the end of the day, many of the so-called “items on special” actually really aren’t that cheap anyway.
The flip side of the situation is that a lot most of the items advertised as being “on special” are actually absolutely non-essential luxury items. I mean, think back. When last were basic foodstuffs advertised “on special”? Or gas for that matter? Nooooo….99.99% of the time, it will be frivolous luxury items that will supposedly be “marked down” in order to sell them.
Hire purchase makes things so easy these days. But, at the end of the day, you could will end up paying double, or even more than double, for the item that you have purchased. One example I saw in a local store catalogue this morning was a classic example of this.
According to the New Credit Act in South Africa, it is mandatory to list the payment terms, amount per month which will be repaid, and the total amount that you will end up paying for the item at the end of the payment term. Almost every single item listed, would require you to repay double the purchase price for the item. Definitely not a wise way to purchase anything!
It’s pretty much like a 2 for 1 offer that you often see, but the only difference here is that you are paying for 2 items, but only receiving 1. If that had to happen at the checkout, I’m sure you would kick up a fuss. So why should it be acceptable to do that at any other time? I for one, do not see the logic in paying for 2 items and only receiving one. Sounds like daylight robbery to me.
Next time you see a “Never to be repeated” offer screaming at you from a store window, do yourself (as well as your budget and bank balance) a favour, and walk away. Do not give in to the voices in your head telling you that you “need” the item that is on special. Back away slowly, or better still, take off at a sprint.
It’s been a while since I’ve updated what I still owe on my outstanding debt.
I am definitely reaching the finish line, slowly but surely, and am down to owing the final $406! Not bad, considering that a few months ago, it was around the $2400 mark. It’s taken a lot of discipline, budget planning and willpower to get to where I am now.
Another two payments to reach the zero mark. I know it can be done.
Over the past few months, questions have arisen as to how to go about commuting to work by bike, so I thought I’d create a post to share what I have learned along the way.
For those of us who live 10km/6.25m or less from the office, this is a great form of transport, as it is often a lot quicker to cycle than to drive over a shorter distance. It’s also good to get in a quick training ride or two during the week, which could save a trip to the gym after work at night.
I’ll list a few items which are necessary to make the trip/commute as comfortable as possible.
First off, obviously, is a reliable bike. A bike that is sturdy enough to handle a daily trip, as well as the rigours of rude motorists (yes, unfortunately, every city in the world has these sad specimens). The bike I currently use, is a 2005 Diamondback Ascent EX 24 speed mountain bike. It’s been a brilliant choice, in that it has never let me down in any way, is relatively lightweight, and also provides a very comfortable ride. You’ll definitely want a bike that can withstand different road conditions as well, especially here in South Africa, where our roads were recently rated as the worst tarred roads in the world (not exactly something to be proud of though, is it?)
The most important piece of safety equipment you will need, is a helmet. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that ‘It isn’t really necessary’ or ‘It makes me look like a mushroom.’ Believe me, looking like a mushroom for an hour or two each day, is far better than living in a permanently vegetative state for the rest of your life after bouncing off a car bonnet, or the tarmac while not wearing a helmet. So get one, and make sure you wear it. Most importantly though, make sure it’s comfortable, and fits correctly.
By fitting correctly, your helmet should sit no more than half an inch above your ears, with the more pointed side facing the back, and the round side, or side with a peak on it facing the front (obviously). It needs to sit level on your head, and not be tilted towards the back or front of your head at all.
Your helmet will be your most crucially important piece of safety equipment, so do not buy the cheapest one you can lay hands on. I repeat, do NOT buy a cheap helmet. Your helmet is replaceable should anything happen, but your brain matter is not. You will also definitely notice a different with regards to how it fits compared to a cheap helmet. This is definitely a time where it is crucial to spend as much as you can possibly afford to spend. try as many helmets on as possible before purchasing one. Just because it ‘looks cool’ doesn’t mean it will fit you properly. Ideally, your helmet should be replaced every two to three years, as they can deteriorate due to sun/cold exposure.
Another important piece of equipment is gloves. Often, the argument has arisen that “It’s too hot for gloves.” Far rather a little discomfort in the form of wearing gloves, than a few days worth of discomfort after taking a spill, and introducing your naked palms to the tarmac. Not fun. Not fun at all. As with your helmet, try on as many different ones as possible, to see which ones fit you correctly, and are the most comfortable. here, it is not important to buy the most expensive pair of gloves that money can buy, but rather an issue of comfort and fit.
When commuting, it is extremely important that you be as visible as possible to motorists. Unfortunately, many of them will still claim to not see you, despite the fact that you are giving the local Christmas light display a run for its money (I speak from experience in this regard). The key here is to be as visible as humanely possible. Since the photo above was taken, I have since added a further two rear flashing lights to the bike, one red, and the other orange. They have different flashing modes, which makes you a lot more eye-catching than a standard static rear light. Oh…I have also managed to modify a Serfas Tube light, and convert it to a rear helmet light, which also works wonders for visibility. It’s more at a motorists eye level, which boots visibility substantially.
Lighting up the front of your bike is equally important. The standard for front lighting on a bike is white. Flashing lights are good for visibility in front as well. Again, yours truly managed to make a modification to a small flashing light that was meant to be a frame mounted model, and installed it on the front of the helmet. I was just fortunate that the Uvex helmet I use, has square vent holes, which made it a lot easier to mount.
Comfortable footwear is important as well, because you never know when you may need to hoof it to the office, be it after taking a tarmac tumble, or be it due to bike problems, such as a puncture. Some may say I am crazy, but I have found my 10-year-old Caterpillars to be the most faithful pair of sturdy and comfortable shoes ever.
Eye protection is also a personal preference issue, but being a contact lens wearer myself, I find a pair of sunglasses to be essential. It allows me to arrive at the office without having to extricate my contact lenses from my hair or ears…
Reading the above post makes biking look like an extremely expensive exercise, but if one shops around, and does research before making any purchases, it need not cost an arm and leg. The health benefits will also outweigh the purchase price after a month or two, as you will start to feel more energetic, and become fitter.
Should you have any questions regarding commuting by bike, or cycling in general, feel free to drop me a mail at thegreenpiggy[at]gmail[dot]com, and I will do my best to assist and offer advice.
Feel free to post comments
