If you're feeling a bit depressed, or down in doldrums, then join the club... according to Moody's Economy.com, retail sales have fallen by 7% from August 2008, and as for motor vehicle sales... well, enough said. The bottom line is that while unions have often managed to secure increases higher that the rate of inflation, for the rest of us it's been a case of 'bite the bullet' as companies have either held back on increases altogether, or kept them well below inflation. The knock-on effect of this is, naturally, too many goods chasing too few rands as people find the quickest and easiest way to double their money is fold it in half and put it back in their wallet. The bad news, however, is... there's very little good news - so unless you're in the market to sell or buy a home, Moody's says things will continue along the current path for some time. But don't worry - if you can weather this recession, you'll come out of it stronger... and wiser. And you will weather it!

Rod Baker, guest columnist
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