Tomorrow is International Consumer Day and Tshiwela Mhlantla of Absa has given us a few things to consider when thinking about personal finance and looking for ways to save. One of these points has certainly stuck with me, and that is "every cent counts". Mhlantla tells us not to think that "it's just R2 or R5", as all these figures multiply into hundreds and eventually thousands. But then I think of that on an even grander scale... Take the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan on Friday - if every single South African donates just R2 to a relief fund, that amounts to about R100 million. Certainly something to think about. However, if the urge to make a donation does strike, please don't whip out the credit card to every email you receive calling for charity. As if the disaster itself wasn't bad enough, it breeds a playground of scammers, phishing and malware sites. Rather check out AFP's digital ways to donate to Japan disaster relief. On a happier note, one of the biggest names in SA retail celebrated his 80th birthday last week. Many happy returns Raymond Ackerman, we wish you many more!

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor
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