The Layman
Business | Economics | Politics
Economics
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Read time:
3–5 minutesGet ready for a bumpy ride ahead – VAT increase, stealth tax and rising electricity prices
Read More →: Get ready for a bumpy ride ahead – VAT increase, stealth tax and rising electricity pricesSouth Africans are about to face several financial challenges in the coming months as taxes and tariffs increase. The biggest concern is that the proposed increase in VAT (value-added tax) has distracted people from more pressing issues. Not only will…
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3–5 minutesTough times ahead: Some useful money-saving tips
Read More →: Tough times ahead: Some useful money-saving tipsIt takes a no-brainer to realize that South African citizens have a poor savings culture. A large portion of their disposable income is consumed in debt repayments. This is also evidenced by the relatively high ratio of household debt to…
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3–5 minutesRand Manipulation: Some Far-Reaching Currency Impacts
Read More →: Rand Manipulation: Some Far-Reaching Currency ImpactsWithout getting into the facts of the matter, currency manipulation has far-reaching effects on the major economic participants such as consumers, businesses, and the government. Some important aspects to note about this topic are stated below. Simply put, the Rand…
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2–3 minutesUnpopular Opinion About Interest rates
Read More →: Unpopular Opinion About Interest ratesInterest rates have went up in South Africa with the repo rate sitting at 7% and it might as well be the right time to buy that car or house. Sounds ironic right? Here’s the logic – periods of lower…
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Read time:
2–3 minutesThe cost of living in South Africa: how does it compare a decade ago?
Read More →: The cost of living in South Africa: how does it compare a decade ago?The cost of living in South Africa is undoubtedly skyrocketing. Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) indicated in its 2021 statistics that annual consumer inflation increased to 5.9% in December 2021, the highest in almost 5 years. The factors attributed to the…
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4–5 minutesThe economy-wide effects of higher petrol prices
Read More →: The economy-wide effects of higher petrol pricesThe Automobile Association of South Africa recently announced an increase in petroleum prices, citing the combination of a weaker rand and an increase in the international Brent crude oil price. This is the third consecutive increase in petroleum prices in…
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Read time:
3–4 minutes“Junk Status” Explained in Layman terms
Read More →: “Junk Status” Explained in Layman termsLike credit scores, sovereign credit ratings have become a common feature in the credit market and our daily lives. A sovereign credit rating is an assessment of a country’s creditworthiness or ability to repay its debt. The government borrows money…
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3–4 minutesHow Does Government Debt Affect You in Person?
Read More →: How Does Government Debt Affect You in Person?The government accumulates debt by acquiring loans either from local or international lenders. A certain fraction of government debt is Rand dominated while the other is foreign currency dominated. The fraction which is Rand dominated is affected by the inflation…
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Read time:
2–3 minutesHow Does A Reduction in the Repo Rate Affect You?
Read More →: How Does A Reduction in the Repo Rate Affect You?When the Repurchase rate (hereafter – repo rate) is reduced, individuals and firms who hold or seek repo-linked loans benefit the most. A reduction in the repo rate simple means that the cost of borrowing has declined. Thus, anyone who…
Baneng Naape
Columnist
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