Dear readers, while the next GST hike is already much talked about in Singapore, I have had already felt the higher cost of living.
Prices of transport, electricity, water, refuse removal and certain groceries have increased in price late last year.
And in recent weeks, I have felt the higher cost of living on my pockets from meals outside: the cost of meals outside has increased significantly. It used to be such that I don’t see much of an increase for meals outside just that I have been charged, from a majority of stalls, for containers used for take-aways, from 10 cents to 30 cents per container and I don’t really like to pay for these.
I know the rationale of charging for containers by more food stall operators used arose during the Covid-19 Circuit Breaker for Singapore in 2020 but was surprised that the charging seems and continues to become a norm right now. There was a time where I took away soup-based meal for my family: the container for the meal costs 30 cents, same goes for the soup for the meal at 30 cents too (no doubt the container used was much smaller); hence imagine an extra 60 cents for the meal for take-away per family member.
And since last week, I have noticed steep price increase for my meals outside. For example, a 20% increase in my Bak Chor Mee from $2.50 to $3 as per my sharing in my earlier post. And just yesterday, when I went to order my favourite crispy chicken set meal from a hawker centre (hence not KFC if you are thinking), the crispy chicken set has gone up in price too from $5.90 to $6.50 or around 10% increase.
Thus, GST increase is not just my only concern on cost of living for it seems from what I have experienced, prices of basic good like transport, utilities and simple meals outside have already increased. No doubt, with GST increase, I will have to pay more for my goods and services but I presume that I could still offset the effect of the GST increase a little by spending less on discretionary spending, but not for basic goods and services.
To manage higher costs of living, one can take either two approaches: increase one’s wages through promotions or getting a better-paid opportunities or reduce one’s spending.
I think the easier way is to reduce one’s spending as far as possible. That’s said, I will be walking to the next MRT station very soon to reduce my transport cost (will save some $1 plus) especially as today is a cool and breezy day. And I can exercise along the way, a much deserved walk from long staying at home!
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