October 24, 2008
down, down, down
What the hell has happened to the Aussie dollar? Never mind, it's a rhetorical question. But it's a pain in the butt if you live in Australia and like to buy stuff from somewhere else. Anywhere else, really. When we visited the USA in January, $AU1 was roughly US91c. Maybe US94c. Three weeks ago, it was around US82c. Tonight, it's US 62c.
Painful. Thank heavens we visited when we did. This has put somewhat of a (possibly needed) damper on any stash enhancement of late. I keep telling myself it can only get better, while watching it slowly degenerate. For perspective, if I wanted to buy $US50 worth of yarn, in January is would have cost me $AU55. Three weeks ago it would have cost me $AU61. Today, it'll set me back $AU80.
Ouch.
Thankfully we're not rich enough to have investments or anything else that's taking a financial beating. ANd I'm going to stop saying "Surely it can't get worse!", because I'm a jinx, I think.
In Daily Twinkie, she helped me with the laundry.
Now it's not just dirty but fluffy, too!
Posted by Donna at October 24, 2008 09:54 PMComments
Yikes! Well, the US dollar isn't doing well against the US dollar just now, either. Cost of goods is starting to skyrocket here (Just little things. Milk. Food. Petrol. Clothes.) I just had my Last Hurrah with my credit card, and then it's going away. And everyone will be getting handmade holiday gifts! But that exchange rate is just insane - I can't think of anything, other than the banks restructuring entirely, that would cause such a drop so quickly. I mean, really - Australia is one of the most stable countries economically!
I swear, the US election is what's causing all the trouble, and the fears that the present power bloc might be ousted. That's only 11 days away now; hopefully, everything will magically fix itself back to normal once all that's settled!
Posted by: CraftyGryphon at October 25, 2008 01:03 AMBoth of my bunnies LOVE digging in laundry. I think it's so cute. Less cute when they jump on my basket of clean laundry, but I try not to let that happen. :)
Posted by: Marlena at October 25, 2008 02:22 AMTwinkie is just like our Cat.
Please take a little of me where ever you may venture?
Fur that it, pure fur.
Posted by: Lorelle at October 25, 2008 07:53 AMI'm happy because the NZ dollar has gone up against the Aussie dollar - so I can buy from Oz cheaper, but as for the US dollar - Flash watches the news and groans - Philips have to pay for their stock in US dollars - so matter how much better the business is doing - his profit is sucked up in foreign exchange losses...
I'm just burying my head in the sand, living in lala land and playing loud music in my studio while I work!
Ah now I know what's wrong with the A$, Donna jinxed it . Now that explains everything! I'm with you I keep saying it will get better , I hope. It certainly has put a dent in my buying but that's probably a good thing.
Keep up the daily blogging I love it.
Twinkie, which end is up? Please don't stop Daily Twinkie!
Posted by: Janet at October 25, 2008 12:33 PMUnfortunately, we can't have it both ways. Interest rates went down and so did US/AUST$ rate. If interest rates go up, so will our dollar against US $.
I agree about buying stuff, but I don't do that very often. Usually like to support Aussie places if at all possible, although there is quite a lot of wool I would buy if i could. I also prefer to support small local businesses if possible over big business. I buy buttons etc from a small local embroidery shop and cord for drawstrings etc. Would far prefer a local butcher to meat from supermarkets.
Posted by: Jan Bishop at October 25, 2008 01:07 PMand little holes also?
Posted by: DKM at October 25, 2008 03:03 PM
I saw that on the news tonight. The Finance has moved closer to the start of the ABC news. I like the graphs every day. It is very bad for us, when we want to buy overseas :-(
Posted by: 2paw at October 24, 2008 11:31 PMHi Twinkie, doing a very good job there!!