The credit crunch

The first time I heard about this, I just thought it was one of America's inventions. I did not think much about it until sometime late last year when I went food shopping. I was wondering why things were so expensive. I just could not understand how expensive meat and fruits and vegetables where?


On the news they were always talking about the cost of living rising. I now understand what I thought was just American jargon. Fuel prices have just shot up. Basic household commodities are expensive. The other day a friend of mine who was visiting England from Trinidad was complaining about how expensive things are in London.

She said she was going to buy presents for her friends and family in Dubai where things are cheaper. After a few days she asked me what was meant by the term "credit crunch," because everyone was talking about it? I just explained to her that the reason why she was not doing her shopping in England is what the "credit crunch" is. It is crunching all the money people have.


It is even worse when you have children. The demand and pressure is too much. Starting from the school lunches and bus fares. I started comparing when I was growing up and the life my children are living now. I had so many toys but they were not as expensive as the ones my children have. The toy manufacturers were considerate then. I think, they must have had children of their own.


Now every toy needs batteries, they all come with accessories which you need to buy separately if you want your child to enjoy the toy. Look at the many versions of the Barbie doll. How about the wii? What a rip off!!!

No wonder, why, a lot of people are going for dogs instead of having kids. Once you feed it and take it for a walk, you are home and dry. If you need to buy any toys, it will be a ball of which will be of good benefit to you physically.


The credit crunch has actually increased the production of material goods. People are looking for business ventures. Ways to make money. The banks are afraid of lending. Major companies, banks etc are going into liquidation. What hope is there for the little businesses?

Yesterday, I went shopping and the man in front of me at the till paid for his grocery shopping worth £25 with 10p coins only. It took a very long time and the man was very appologetic saying that is all he had. The girl at the till just smiled and told the man not to worry and that he was not the only one.

And I hear on the news that Scotland has not been hit by the credit crunch yet. Is this really true? Where are they doing their shopping? Are the people of the North suffering in silence just because of pride or they have nowhere to turn to?