I am paying more and getting less, that is.
[Scene] A typical lunch consisting of Yong Tau Foo at Kopitiam at IMM on a typical weekday afternoon. At the cashier, I found out that 8 pieces of Yong Tau Foo costs $4.00, and this did not include beehoon. I am paying $4.00 for lunch. Despite this, I was not feeling full. On the average, each piece of YTF costs 50 cents. As I looked at the eight pieces of food swimming in clear soup, my mind was very clear, that is, food prices are soaring. And I am feeling the pinch.
The rising cost of living
Inflation could hit 4 or 5 percent in the first quarter of this year and analysts have labelled that as a "historic high" in the 25 years since 1983. Oh well, I am looking forward to a "historic high" of a different latitude, and perhaps break the record and surge past 6 percent. With that said, if only salary rises on par with the cost of living, say, at 5 percent for the first quarter and subsequently be adjusted accordingly to inflation rates, but alas, I am not dressed in white. Moreover, my working address is not at Parliament Place.
As I struggle to cope with cost increases, I have little help schemes to fall back on.
As for the government aid to cushion the impact of the rise in cost of living, I am not eligible. I am either among those who "earn too much to benefit from social help schemes" or "too little to manage the demands of supporting ageing parents". Since I am not eligible, the least I could do is to tighten my belt. And no, I will not starve myself. My breakfast will not consist of 2 peanuts; lunch will not be 2 peas; dinner will not be 2 grains of rice.
Perhaps my monthly indulgence of eating waffles with a scoop of ice cream or even dessert at N.Y.D.C. would need re-adjustment. Substitute that with yogurt, maybe, since yogurt is cheaper. *Gee* --> *Yeeeee*
There are 101 things to re-look into at this moment, going to be busy balancing my sums... ...
[Scene] A typical lunch consisting of Yong Tau Foo at Kopitiam at IMM on a typical weekday afternoon. At the cashier, I found out that 8 pieces of Yong Tau Foo costs $4.00, and this did not include beehoon. I am paying $4.00 for lunch. Despite this, I was not feeling full. On the average, each piece of YTF costs 50 cents. As I looked at the eight pieces of food swimming in clear soup, my mind was very clear, that is, food prices are soaring. And I am feeling the pinch.
The rising cost of living
Inflation could hit 4 or 5 percent in the first quarter of this year and analysts have labelled that as a "historic high" in the 25 years since 1983. Oh well, I am looking forward to a "historic high" of a different latitude, and perhaps break the record and surge past 6 percent. With that said, if only salary rises on par with the cost of living, say, at 5 percent for the first quarter and subsequently be adjusted accordingly to inflation rates, but alas, I am not dressed in white. Moreover, my working address is not at Parliament Place.
As I struggle to cope with cost increases, I have little help schemes to fall back on.
As for the government aid to cushion the impact of the rise in cost of living, I am not eligible. I am either among those who "earn too much to benefit from social help schemes" or "too little to manage the demands of supporting ageing parents". Since I am not eligible, the least I could do is to tighten my belt. And no, I will not starve myself. My breakfast will not consist of 2 peanuts; lunch will not be 2 peas; dinner will not be 2 grains of rice.
Perhaps my monthly indulgence of eating waffles with a scoop of ice cream or even dessert at N.Y.D.C. would need re-adjustment. Substitute that with yogurt, maybe, since yogurt is cheaper. *Gee* --> *Yeeeee*
There are 101 things to re-look into at this moment, going to be busy balancing my sums... ...
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