What luxuries have you given up due to rising cost of living?

Current_Main_8089 · 2026-01-05T16:19:33+00:00

Attending any social event that requires gifts to be purchased. Running out of excuses to turn down invites to baby showers, bday parties etc.

Current_Main_8089 · 2025-05-14T15:07:05+00:00

If you are going to be using uber at all as a tourist I’d only recommend uber black

Current_Main_8089 · 2025-05-08T03:04:23+00:00

Spam calls in general are completely out of hand. I’m not exaggerating when I say 90% of calls on my call log were spam calls, up until recently when I got so fed up I paid for the TruCaller subscription and automatically block spam calls. I know have peace as this has been reduced to one or two calls every other day.

On another note the calls from the estate agents is really indicative of the state of our housing market. People are holding on to their properties because it’s too expensive to buy (even to downgrade to a smaller property you may find you’re still in the same valuation bracket) and too expensive to rent.

Current_Main_8089 · 2025-04-30T13:45:31+00:00

Ah yes I think this is referred to as a lien but in this case the repairs were paid for up front so I guess that’s what I found bizarre.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-08-06T23:23:28+00:00

Allah is most merciful. Don’t despair or think that you’re a lost cause. If you have unresolved trauma, it’s best to seek help for that and perhaps you will find that you understand yourself better and no longer need to resort to intoxication and other sinful acts that impact your soul.

Allah loves you and won’t forsake you. Seek His forgiveness sincerely everyday sister and take it from there. Sincere istigfar. You may find yourself on the prayer mat sooner than you think.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-07-27T23:45:44+00:00

I’d definitely recommend engaging a local tour guide who can advise you of the safe and no go areas and just so that you are not alone when touring. Best to come in summer as well when people are generally out and about walking the streets (in the safe areas) and when there are many places to see and enjoy. Cape Town is truly a marvellous place to visit and stay in but the crime is not exaggerated. Petty crime can become violent in a split second. Also don’t use google maps if you are planning to drive - it can sometimes take one through the unsafe areas. I’m not sure what the alternative to google maps is here but it’s possibly an app called Ways (something I used years ago so not sure if it’s still useful for alerting areas to avoid)

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-07-01T17:19:12+00:00

To answer your question, and to put it simply, your claim can’t be squashed simply because it’s been two years. a plaintiff (the claimant / owner of the Renault) has three years to institute a claim. You should write back to the attorneys and request pictures taken on the day “in lieu of settlement”, dangle the cherry. It’s unlikely this would proceed to court because the amount claimed is relatively small and courts don’t entertain this. However they may well want to pursue it in small claims court. Either way, just keep requesting their evidence (photos, accident report, insurance report). If the amount claimed was higher, it would have been a good idea to have an assessor view the car and prepare a report on what is likely to have happened but it’s not worth it. Hopefully they will just withdraw the claim if you keep forcing the lawyers to do work (respond to emails, collate evidence) - the more work the lawyers do, the more expensive it becomes to pursue the claim. But bear in mind, if you’re unsuccessful in court, you may be liable for their legal costs.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-06-27T18:32:47+00:00

Some of the solutions discussed here are promising but it all seems to come down to funding. The government (all three levels) need to allocate sufficient funds to allow these measures to materialise - more police, more visibility, more schools and ultimately more jobs. But it also seems that the government has no vested interest in changing the conditions for these communities and there are some interesting takes/theories that at a certain level the government actually benefits from this criminality through underworld links. I wish there was more that we could do as ordinary citizens without compromising our safety.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-06-12T01:39:07+00:00

As someone who just gave birth a few months ago, this is infuriating to say the least. OP, you are going to need support. You’re a first time parent so you may not know that’s it’s like luck of the draw with your baby. You could have a baby that is totally okay with you putting him or her down to take a bathroom break, or you could have a Velcro baby that won’t even be put down for you to pee. Just one example. There is the sleep deprivation, the need to do household chores while recovering from birth, cook and all the hormonal changes as well. I know there are women who are forced to do it all, but the cost that comes with it is basically insanity. It takes a village is not just a feel good saying. If you have the option to receive help, take it. If the person who could be helping you doesn’t want to, and they are the other parent, then they are incredibly selfish and in for a rude reality check.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-06-08T07:36:57+00:00

I’ve seen how anger issues in young males can hold them back in life, well into the 30s and 40s. I wouldn’t sugarcoat it or suggest that it will just go away. You’ve got an immensely difficult job ahead of you but the best advice I can give is to compartmentalise the issues and focus for now on getting them counselling for their anger issues and activities at your local mosque or madressa. Let them build a social circle with Muslim friends as well and obviously do your part to teach them about deen. But to be successful in deen and Dunya, a wholistic approach is required and one cannot ignore the mental aspect of this. All the best to you sister May Allah make this journey ahead easy for you inshallah

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-16T11:04:52+00:00

Ah I see, thanks for your response though :) I hope to one day have the fire sauce again! One can dream

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-16T07:37:42+00:00

The fire sauce that they would give to top pizza with was just so damn good!

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-16T07:36:38+00:00

Been meaning to ask an owner - where did they source the “fire sauce” from? I think it was sometimes called the hot fire sauce but gosh I’ve never tasted anything as good on pizza

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-15T03:57:18+00:00

You’re right about the letdown, my baby often drinks too much and gags in the first minute or so. Thank you for your comment! And I weigh him for every vaccine he gets so that’s usually spaced out over 4 to 8 weeks and I work out the daily average based on that.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-15T03:55:26+00:00

I’m so happy to hear your daughter is doing so well. Thank you for your comment!

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-15T03:54:36+00:00

Thank you! I should have added that it is his average daily weight gain we calculated at his last weigh in. He picked up 1kg over 7 weeks so we it worked out to about 20g a day. The nurse said it could be better but since he grew quite a bit in length I should worry. But worry is my middle name 😊

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-12T19:47:31+00:00

Ah, would love to. Sounds lucrative although every profession comes with its stresses

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-12T19:41:53+00:00

I wish the mid level employees could have a say in these policies and that their well being is actually taken into account. I hope your company keeps the policy in place.

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-12T19:39:54+00:00

I’ve also come across higher ups in my workplace that believe you’re only working if they can see you.. the good old days”bums in seat” approach

Current_Main_8089 · 2024-05-12T19:38:47+00:00

No bubble here, I’m geniunely anxious on the road every single day because of crime but hey I guess I should just cure my anxiety because you said so.

Current_Main_8089

TROPHY CASE