MONEY

Here's a bag of Rands.  The approximate value of R1 is $.10, so R10 is about $1...except, the exchange rate favors the $ and fluctuates on a daily basis.  For example, today I bought 3 avocados at the store for R10 but it the cost was actually was $.94.  (nice!?) When you get up into the hundreds and higher, it can make a difference!  But the "about" makes it easy to convert.

Checking accounts are virtually non-existent, at least on a personal level.  The banks have savings accounts, which, like the U. S. pay little or no interest.  The Peace Corps (as do many other employers) pay by direct deposit to a bank, and the employee (volunteer) has a debit card to withdraw funds.  There are some stores that you pay for your merchandise with a debit card and can get up to R500 back in cash.  There is a flat monthly fee or unlimited transactions of about R90.  You can also pay for air time for your phone or data for internet directly to the provider from your online account.  The banks here really are providing disincentives for going inside and using teller services, as they make charges for all transactions done through a teller, but not online or ATM.  Likely they're a step ahead of us in that area.

I've learned a lot about what people spend money on, and oddly enough, there are strong similarities between here and the U. S. in some areas.  Maybe I already mentioned that social workers from two different provinces commented on how women (especially younger) with little means will spend too much money (in their view) on hair styling/products and shoes.  And that somehow the young unemployed men always have money (given to them by the moms?) to drink, and often,too much. Sound familiar?  A lot of people survive on social grants.  Pensioners get R1,650 a month.  People in the country can get by on that, as they don't have mortgages or rent, as the tribe provides the land and houses are usually handed down to generations.  Many do not have electricity, and there is no charge for water.  But still, a pretty meager existence.  All that being said, once again, culture prevails.  Marriages and funerals are a very big deal everywhere in this country, and much money is spent on them.  People have burial societies, which is like a co-op where people put n a prescribed amount every month and when someone in their family dies, they get a set amount to pay for food and the normal burial expenses of coffin, etc.  There are a lot of ads on TV as well for burial insurance.  People have told me they don't have enough money for a borehole in their yard (a well for water) but they plan to spend R50,000 on their wedding, which would likely more than be enough to have water next to their house.  Same deal with weddings.  It's hard not to judge a culture where ceremonial customs prevent them from improving their daily life.  But, are we all that different?....

Some things are fairly inexpensive here, and some things are about the same or more expensive, so for me, it about evens out, I think. My downfall is that there are many nice bakeries/coffee shops nearby that have lots of great breads/sweet rolls/dessert type of thing, and generally less than what I'd pay at home.  So I rationalize that I deserve it once in awhile!    Oh, I should mention that petrol runs between $5-6 a gallon.  That is probably the most significant expensive item.  One of the reasons tourism travel here can get pricey.

So that covers money.  Maybe I'll do a post on sex next.   No, languages, first.  :)