Polystyrene cups and crappy snacks
The show was hosted by FNB and DSTV. FNB wanted to set the scene of "money's too tight to mention" - and this was the reason for the polystyrene cups and crappy snacks.
Stuart has stage presence that hits you as soon as he walks on; you simply can't take your eyes off of him. He explains that your wallet is the thing holding you down, especially when - like Stuart - you have three credit cards. He says rather have it and need it, than need it and not have it. However, he does remind the audience that his first credit card at 23 years old was only for emergencies, which soon became cigarettes at a BP garage at 11pm. Soon he was swiping, morning, noon and night. He makes credit card swiping sound like a drug and, to some, it is.
He also describes the need for having what others desire and how this all started back when he was a youngster and was wearing Nike takkies that no one else had. All the girls were looking at him and no one could take their eyes off of his feet. Next it was in 1995 when the cellphone came out and he had one, complete with a kick stand.
With his audience interaction, Stuart pulls you into his Constantia world of living in a "money" area and not really having enough of it, of children with labels (ADD, ADHD etc), playing "whose bill is it anyway", popcorn for dinner and his outstanding bills. "Wow", he says, "I thought they were only great."
The advice that he gives will definitely lighten the mood when the end of the month hits: 1) Look at other people's bank statements, because someone is worse off than you. 2) Be prepared for riches and for not so many riches, and 3) CYA - cover your ass.
