Dear readers, just earlier this week, I went to my stall canteen, yes staff canteen for lunch when I went back to office for work.
I ordered mixed vegetable rice and by the virtue of adding just one more dish (in total 4 dishes), I was charged $6.10! I ascertained once more on the price that I have to pay with the auntie, and the auntie replied that the price would have been $7 if I am not a staff.
I was left shocked at the experience. With the ongoing inflation, yes, mixed vegetable rice dishes have gone up to more than $4 on average, but to fork out $6.10 to me is way too expensive. With $6 on hand, I would have ordered a set meal, complete with a drink some more. I know some readers may ask me whether I ordered a piece of fish to go along with my mixed vegetable rice, but the answer is no as all I have ordered is an ordinary dish.
I feel that with all the high prices that we are paying for food, though a saver as I am, it is not easy to save much. If I want to go for something as simple as a $3 meal, the portion of meal that I am getting would have become much lower due to shrinkflation (this is really from what I experienced) so much so that I would end up becoming still hungry and may end up buying one more snack to fill my stomach.
And also, with inflation, the “delta” of hawker or coffeeshop food with restaurant food has narrowed so much so I think for many, they may end up having their meals at restaurants for the often less crowded environment for just a few bucks more. But many may not be aware that with restaurant meals, the GST and Service Charges are often quite significant as well.
My expenditures on meals have increased in recent months due to higher food prices but no choice, I have to eat. The important thing that I thought will stand me in good stead will be to be as conscious as possible when coming to balancing meal with price and nutrition.