Page 6 - Dainfern Precinct issue 3 2022

FROM THE EDITOR

STAYING OUT OF

THE DEBT TRAP

he Financial Sector seems to One brilliant way to get yourself in giving the study subjects names,
have this wonderful ability to out of debt is to set your domestic which was an integral part of how
Tinvent all sorts of concepts that environment up as a ‘smart home’. Jane conducted her research. She
end up controlling us – inflation, being What started off as the techies’ has been a great campaigner for
‘consumers’, taking advantage of fascination with automating everything animal rights, including campaigning
credit to the point that all our credit around the home has produced an for better living conditions of the
cards are maxed out, playing the interesting spin-off – cost savings. chimpanzees held in captivity, such
stock market – these are all human However, using the internet (iot in as in zoos, and she has called for
creations. The problem is, unless tech-speak) and apps to manage the abandonment of the use of
one is streetwise and knows the ins appliances does take some practice chimpanzees for medical research
and outs of how to deal with all these and it means that the 40-year old purposes.
situations, one ends up being sucked fridge that you bought second-hand
into a vortex, a downward spiral of will need to be shown the door. Co-incidentally, Jane was born in April
debt, threats and litigation. There’s an Replacing old appliances with the back in 1934, so she will be 88 this
air of menace, doom and gloom that latest models on the market will month.
seems to following one around when involve an initial outlay but these
one’s in debt up to one’s ears. To top intelligent mechanisms will pay for This month is also when we celebrate
it all, if the estate levies haven’t been themselves in terms of energy, water Easter this year. To spice things up,
paid and the outstanding balance has and time-saving in the long run. See we have included a variety of ways
mounted up substantially – there’s what Dr Andrew Dickson says about that hot cross buns can be used in our
the very real threat that one might it in this issue. Recipes section – with soup, as the
lose one’s home if the Homeowners weather gets colder, at a braai, and
Association is allowed to foreclose on While a smart home relies on even for a fondue. We also have a
the property. connecting all the appliances via recipe for chocolate nests that you can
the internet, in our Nature article make with the kiddies, to add some
Fortunately, there are people that one this month, James Clarke talks fun to the occasion.
can turn to – people who are able about connecting in a different
to restructure debt so that it’s not so way – with animals – in particular, The Easter long weekend,
overwhelming. In our article this month, chimpanzees. This is something that unfortunately, has in the past been
Benay Sager of the National Debt Jane Goodall spent many decades a time of sorrow due to the high
Counsellors’ Association highlights the doing in the Gombe Stream National incidence of road accidents caused
benefits of debt counselling, so if you’re Park in Tanzania. In her early years by people rushing to get away down
finding yourself in that kind of sticky of research, Jane’s critics were to the coast, into the bush or to visit
situation, be sure to read up on how derisive of her notion that mammals family and friends who live far away.
this strategy could help to ease your experienced emotions just like we However eager you may be to get
financial burden. do and they didn’t see any sense away, we urge you to heed the advice
of the tourism authorities – make
sure you’re well rested, take regular
breaks if you’re driving, and look out
for hazards and other threats on the
roads, such as people texting while
driving, drunk drivers and reckless
overtaking. If in doubt, pull over and
let the negligent and reckless drivers
pass. Getting to your destination a
little later than planned is better than
not getting there at all!

Till next time, take care.
Ann

Ann Arnott
EDITOR
annar@nowmedia.co.za

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