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02/02/2007
Cost of living in Singapore
By poly @ 11:18 AM :: 34412 Views :: 295 Comments :: 		 

After recent announcement of GST hike, the price of things have gone up in Singapore. This comes before the actual implementation of 7% GST. The wanton noodle at the coffeeshop below my HDB has raised the price from $2 to $2.50 early this year. That is 25% increase. My neighbours who rented the flat next door, the landlord has also increased their rental by 10%. I don't see my boss increasing my salary. Do you experience this ?

Comments
By Lawrence @ 04/02/2007 11:41 AM
Yes, I fully agreed of what you have mentioned. Did the employer did into the current rising price to adjust the pay to meet it. For example. I work shift and I am also with the union, But the shift allowance have not move for the past 10 years, could you imagine that...
By Polly @ 04/02/2007 10:58 PM
If the wanton seller wants to incease by $0.5 cents , I mean let him do it. $2 is already very cheap for a bowl of wanton mee. If you look at it from the selle's point of view how much does he make per bowl after rent, buying ingredients and labour cost and now GST. Let him earn the money. For me I won't try and stinge against these people. Now a days I cut down on items like going to the spa- big waste of money and you get insulted with pressure selling tactics, I don't spend on the arts, theatre or go to expensive restauranst or even the occassional holiday unless there's a cheap deal. So does that leave enough for the wanton seller ? For me I think so. As for stagnating pay, yup. I 'm in a line where currently there is a shortage of people my kind so there's quite a lot of bargaining up side on my part. But for the support staff that work under me , I was told they would never see pay increase unless they change jobs - its quite sad seeing how hard some of them are - I guess it all boils down to maket demand and supply. I think gone are the days when employers see staff as family and reward according to how well the company is doing. Now its like if there is adequate market supply of your kind I never need to increase you no matter how well we do. Like one of my friends said, now it helps to have multiple income streams - investments, side line jobs etc
By Lawrence @ 05/02/2007 1:42 PM
On the on coming things that are, were to happen. Could the government or the union please look after the lower income group, to re examine or look into it. The news keep saying that must help the lower income, but what is the actual action, do they need to fill up form? They are the lower income , you know, that they are real not furish with the help. Is there a organisation which really go down door to door?
By ahpui @ 06/02/2007 12:58 PM
When Govt announced increase in GST from 5% to 7%, an increase of 2%. Do you really think when the goods reach us, consumer, it will stll be a 2% GST?? Think......
By zumkhawala @ 06/02/2007 2:33 PM
better not to get too high salary increases next time want to change job cannot get back same high salary difficult to maintain cost of living. minimum survival rate in singapore i think is reasonable is s$2000/- nett.
By Ms Tan @ 10/02/2007 12:59 AM
The rise in GST is bound to put in more financial pressure to the average Singaporean. Though there maybe the possibility of a upward revise of CPF, which is still in discussion without confirmation but as compared, GST is already a sure go-ahead increase and the pay improvements of some Singaporeans is a question mark for some? But again then, there are worries that CPF and pay increases afffect the competitive level of Singapore as compared to low cost countries. Corporate tax is cut to attract and keep the foreign investors here and the additional financial burden is passed to all the rest of Singaporeans. Isn't there also an alternative economic policy to be thought of and implemented instead of the usual strategy of lowering corporate tax and passing the responsibility of making up for the financial "shortages" needed to Singaporeans.
By Bally @ 11/02/2007 12:59 AM
Well this 2% GST increase is going to hit the middle salaried class on its knuckles. The rich will not be bothered as they were never and the poor will be helped by the Govt as claimed . But is there a mechanism or paper work or a committee to check if the proceeds of this hike is really going to benefit the poor and the needy or will the money really reach them .

There has been no major hikes in salary inspite of the economy showing good growth. An average hike in salaries in Singapore hovers around 5-10%. Smaller companies dont even do that nor they announce how much increments have been given to their employees. Most hit will be the Singaporean PR's who contribute to the economy by paying taxes ,now have to pay more than the citizens for using Govt services and this 2% increase will be the final nail in the coffin. Will the Govt help us in giving the salaried middle class and Singaporean PR's some respite in terms of income tax savings or some form of rebates to counter this 2% increase
By Rob Hood @ 14/02/2007 9:51 AM
Hi Polly, just read your comment, I hope you don't mind my opinion as I have minor disagreement to what you've commented.
You said that it's okay to let the wantan noodle seller raise his price per bowl by $0.50, that is amount to a 25% increase from a $2.00 per bowl price. It's daylight robbery.
As a family of three who can't find time to cook, if we have our meals (2 meals)at the hawker foodcenter for 20 days a month, we will have to spend an extra of $(0.50x3 x2x20)=$60.00.
This amount is peanut, for those who can go for spa and other luxury, which I never even think about, but, it's a lot to a family who is trying to make ends meet, where their main concern is not luxury things, but, necessities. Hawker foods fall into the necessity bracket.
We are only talking about hawker, but, I believe that there are more necessities which will also adjust their price in the region of more than 2%.
Can't they increase the price by 5cents?
The 5 cent that are minted are under utilised, the increament by 5 cents is much closer to the 2% increase in GST.
Please don't feel offended Polly, this are just different in opinion. I am also open to others who have a differing views from me, I believed this is what this feedback is all about, by the way, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Polly and all the readers a Happy, healthy and a prosperous New Year.
By Zonk @ 14/02/2007 10:01 AM
Lets just all leave this place. What you earn is for survival , after factoring all the costs e.g loans(house, school, car), food, ,etc. You will be working just to survive.

Yeah sure, Singapore is clean , world class transport etc , but is it too high a premium to pay.Cost will always be going up and you just have to work harder or get lucky(4D)

Sometimes , i envy my malaysian friends. After the conversion rates and the low cost of living, they have it going for them.
By Clay @ 14/02/2007 12:29 PM
Yes I agree this salary issue is getting out of control
By Shell @ 14/02/2007 4:56 PM
I agree, everything is increasing but i don't see any increase in my dad's salary.
He's having a hard time trying to bring up our family and mind u, his salary is less than $2000 and yet supporting a family of 4. Who says that the min to survive is $2000?.
By Polly @ 14/02/2007 7:11 PM
I don't know if its once you reach a certain salary level and it doesn't have to be very high, money becomes less hard to spend or that your mixing in a world where it almost becomes necessary to go to spas, shopping, nice places holidays "just to relax". I've been on both sides of it and I know what it means to slog 4 hours in teh hot sun going to some students home to get $30 and at teh end of the session the parent seems so unwilling to pay you. Then you could be in another line where for some reason market demand keeps pushing your pay up. The other day I was in the office and looking at the work and feeling like it was getiing harder and harder to work, all sorts of reason or so you think, thoughts like this staff's work is really dubious , unrealiable, do I really want to sign off the work, I got to work with better people, there's all this this and this wrong etc. Anyhow during the middle of teh day I got a prospective call from a China parent who wanted tuition for her kid but didn't seem to want to pay and engaged me in a long conversation round and round wondering what arrangemnet could be made to avoid upfront payment and after a rather exhausting conversation, I looked back at my pile of work and what I thought were all those " you got to be careful " files and it didn't bother me at all. Finished it super quick, the mindset being "So what if teh staff is unrelaible, I''ll go through it and once I do it should be OK, you may be crap but I can handle it because my work is OK and I have final control over it". Everthing that seems so wrong was just so manageable. Suddenly I realised that sometimes working in teh office environment one could almost decend into a little bit of paranoia which is not a strength. Also, for me, I benifit a lot from teaching thses kids, if not always monetary wise. Just some thoughts. Thank you Rob Hood for sharing your thoughts, sometimes we need to be reminded.
By Timothy @ 15/02/2007 8:51 AM
My family is continually paying more and more just to survive. However when it comes to the workings man wages they are not compensating for this increase in the cost of living.
By YJ @ 15/02/2007 10:15 AM
Ya the GST increase is going to be a huge burden on us. I hope the Gov will improve on the working and living conditions of its people rather than always implementing schemes to benefit most of the richer but stingy companies. Well, all of us got excellent reviews for our Dec's appraisals and our company at Serangoon North is actually expanding; constructing a new building beside us and opening more outlets elsewhere. Unfortunately, despite all our hard work for last year, they said "company's policy do not give out bonus". Why even state in employment letter that there might be variable bonus when they already plan not to? I don't see why Gov keep saying they encourage companies to share what they reap with their staff (because of the CPF, corporate tax cuts whatever) when alot of such companies are taking advantage of loop holes to exploit the common folk. We decided to quit after we realized they purposely advertised the jobs for admin clerks but in actual fact, they are employing us to do executive level jobs (marketing/design/operation/property management). There are other foreign workers in this company who are in the same predicament. But because they were duped into signing a contract, most can do nothing about it but continue in this slavery until the contract ends. My person-in-charge was a pretty nice person to work for actually, but after a talk with the unprofessional HR director yesterday, I had lost whatever little respect I had for her and this company. I hope Gov start inspecting and conducting checks on company to make sure they are not doing illegal stuff or scamming people. Disheartened.
By ojipoji @ 15/02/2007 10:38 AM
hi
companies that say biz is bad and cannot pay bonus. what is bonus, are you referring to the 13th month payment. if yes then let me explain, why 13th month is payable whether company makes profit or loses. since we follow british system, this is how it works, they work 4 weeks per month times 12 months it works out 48 weeks. but we in singapore we work 52 weeks , that leave a difference of 4 weeks which we singaporeans have already worked for but not paid for it. so in actual fact the 13th month is the same as the 4 weeks . so the company is not being extra generous when they proclaim that they are giving bonus (13th month) is nothing big. it is the workers entitlement for working 52 weeks. an employer is said to be generous only if it gives more than 13th month , maybe 14th onwards .otherwise they are not doing the workers any favour, the workers are doing favour to the employer.
secondly when i say s$2000/- nett is survival rate for a family of 4 provided you leave out the luxuries of life but cover just basic survival , no expensive taste, no expensive lunches,dinners, no expensive outings, you shud be able to go by
rgds
By Agnonymous @ 16/02/2007 1:27 AM
yes, i agree, that Singapore's cost of living is amongst the highest in the world... with increasing Prices but same income, lowering ALL Singaporean's capacity to spend. Knowing alot of the expenses gong to GST, with Expensive housing (imagine a HDB made out of wood, will it not have to be rebuilt every 2 years?) & Expensive driving (Imagine every 4.5mill citizens having a car, will the roads still be accessable in this tiny dot?) . But do take note that in the GST system, the more you spend, the more you pay in excess. & Singapore's Biggest spenders are not amoung the lower income citizens whom just buy mee siam mai haim or Mee pok with no ter kuah. They are the businees men, with money, enough to invest, speculate in estate & ultimately, start businesses. So with GST, they PAY MORE (because they spend more)!!!! & the excess money they pay, goes to you, the citizens, will that not lower income gaps?? Imagine, without GST, the affluent will invest more, making money more rapidly wherelse, the less affluent will be spending money on their tangible luxuries, will not the affluent be more affluent & the less affluent poorer? then, when that happens, A mee pok will cost something like s$10 a bowl wherelse the less affluent will have $3 bowl of soaked white rice? (because when humans have more capacity to spend, the shop keepers will tentatively raise prices & increase their profits, resulting in a nation wide chain reaction). Then at that time, a few years down the road, the investments paid off & because of less cost, more investments, Their bank increases by millions wherelse the less affluent endulging in luxuries (because not enough capital to start businesses) having bank accounts getting smaller & smaller... so I will support the GST... just think of it as a long term benefit. Furthermore, 7% still enables us to affort daily needs. The High cost of living now is probably just the initial setback of this GST hike. But the same logic/motto used in Singapore's tourism is that you pay for what you get, Quality over quantity, service over GST.
By Agnonymous @ 16/02/2007 1:38 AM
1/5th of the world (some 800Million, live on less then Us$1 a day, goes to bed with empth stomach etc. even though they have low cost of living, they do not even have that income to sustain their low cost of living!! & here we are, complaing about more expensive necessities when lowe income citizens can still afford them well, counting the excess lower income citizens use to indulge in luxuries. having the money to afford a car, yet (i'm Forseeing that The oil prices will rise because of Al quaheda's threat, probably becaus the late war dictator, Saddam was keen on western oil supplies: refer to gulf war) causing more exp & petrol prices to increase. But i believe that here and there, the gov has taken the effort to ensure that we can still survive, ie, Public transport.

yes, i agree, that Singapore's cost of living is amongst the highest in the world... with increasing Prices but same income, lowering ALL Singaporean's capacity to spend. Knowing alot of the expenses gong to GST, with Expensive housing (imagine a HDB made out of wood, will it not have to be rebuilt every 2 years?) & Expensive driving (Imagine every 4.5mill citizens having a car, will the roads still be accessable in this tiny dot?) . But do take note that in the GST system, the more you spend, the more you pay in excess. & Singapore's Biggest spenders are not amoung the lower income citizens whom just buy mee siam mai haim or Mee pok with no ter kuah. They are the businees men, with money, enough to invest, speculate in estate & ultimately, start businesses. So with GST, they PAY MORE (because they spend more)!!!! & the excess money they pay, goes to you, the citizens, will that not lower income gaps?? Imagine, without GST, the affluent will invest more, making money more rapidly wherelse, the less affluent will be spending money on their tangible luxuries, will not the affluent be more affluent & the less affluent poorer? then, when that happens, A mee pok will cost something like s$10 a bowl wherelse the less affluent will have $3 bowl of soaked white rice? (because when humans have more capacity to spend, the shop keepers will tentatively raise prices & increase their profits, resulting in a nation wide chain reaction). Then at that time, a few years down the road, the investments paid off & because of less cost, more investments, Their bank increases by millions wherelse the less affluent endulging in luxuries (because not enough capital to start businesses) having bank accounts getting smaller & smaller... so I will support the GST... just think of it as a long term benefit. Furthermore, 7% still enables us to affort daily needs. The High cost of living now is probably just the initial setback of this GST hike. But the same logic/motto used in Singapore's tourism is that you pay for what you get, Quality over quantity, service over GST.
By walkingjombie @ 16/02/2007 11:40 AM
Singaporean are proud to read from our local newspapers all the goods news about our economic growth, stock market doing very well, properties sold out even during soft launch and most businesses doing extremely well.

Most also noticed on the dark side, an increase of Singaporean seeking for assistance and cannot cope with the costs of living. Though government has been trying to narrow the gap between the rich and the average workers on the street however looking at the future probably it’s going to worsen and would lead to more social problem.

As a small city-state without any resources, our survival depend on foreign investors and economic growth of other countries therefore most average workers wages are kept low and suffer in silence at the mercy of the employers. Our costs of living are moving up rapidly as we are purchasing almost everything imported and with the weather conditions affecting our environment probably the worst is yet to come.

With the 1.5 percentage point increase in CPF ordinary a/c to our minister is a great relief to the middle-income household. It is amazing to note how the middle-income households cope with increased household expenses, squeezing and suffocating to pay off car loan, home mortgages, take care of aging parents and young children and save for their retirement.
By Om Nath @ 16/02/2007 3:37 PM
Yes, this is true. Every time the GST is announced a few months earlier about an impending increase, the shop keepers, the grocers, the convenience stalls are already in arms. They quickly raise the price to their fancy say jack it up by $0.20 to $0.50. A consumer who calculates the increase finds it to work out more than the 2% increase this time around. In my own area, the price of prayer oil shot up by 30 to 50 cents just a few days after the announcement in December 06.

Sometimes one wonders are these shop owners justified because they are not even GST registered. The GST inspectors should make their rounds to see the increases themselves.

Anyway the GST increase is to take place on 1st July 2007. So it is still too early for hefty price increase!

By Om Nath @ 16/02/2007 3:43 PM
The 2% GST increase should this time make an exception in the sense to exclude two items - i.e. education & medicine. Please spare these two items this time round. In previous years, these items have been increased under the consumption tax.
By rebecca wang @ 17/02/2007 10:20 AM
this GST increase clearly dampens my CNY mood. my family typical of "fall thru cracks category". I am a home maker married to PR. He is self employed lower middle income (>$1500). We reside in rental studio apt as no money buy any property. Now rental for my tiny unit size increased by 500-600 monthly. We have a 2 yr old and babies are soooooo expensive!!! yesterday noticed March issue of ELLE mag suddenly cost $1 more. we try to cut costs here and there but life is already at its "minimum"..SIGH
By Fei Zai @ 17/02/2007 8:57 PM
As for the GST...

It is beyond a 2% increment. If anyone was to think that there would be ONLY a 2% increment for everything around us, think again.

For example, A is a supplier who imports in things to distribute, A would have to pay 7% GST for his import and that would only a 2% increment for A if we only look at that.

However, his logistics cost would go up by 2%, his utility bills will go up by 2%, his phone bills would go up by 2%, his CPF contribution to his employees up by another 1.5% and everything that may account for his business.

If A was to increase the price of his product only by 2%, it would be impossible for him to offset his own rising cost.

So A will need to increase it by .. say.. 10-15%. And after which, he sells his goods to his retailers. The retailers are also facing the very same issue as A.

Another price increment.

Therefore, you would find an increment of 20% or more easily.

Unfortunately, our salaries would not budge any further, especially if employers are now paying out more CPF.

It is very interesting that there are always statistics and surveys about this and that, or declarations of increments in pay etc.

But we are never part of those surveys or increments eh?

And the GST credit is way too little.
By nebulaenova @ 18/02/2007 10:44 PM
You know, after 3 years, finally, we get a wage increase of a few hundred dollars. And then what? We have to pay more than the increase to GST. The paradox of it all!
By Timothy @ 19/02/2007 10:22 AM
More taxes. Why must the government punish the working class. Just as its seems as I was getting by they go and ruin it by introducing this.
By Clay @ 19/02/2007 10:25 AM
I agree this is really going to hurt me and my family. My budget was strict before. Now it is really going to take all my efforts just to stay afloat.
By sunfacer @ 20/02/2007 8:44 PM
We cannot just complain - there must be constructive feedback. So how should the government help the public?

Wages? National Wage Council has been suppressing our wages. NTUC has not allowed us to strike - not that we dare anyway. So why complain so much? How many of us actually think the authorities FEEL the same emotions as the common people?

Living in Bkt Timah, Sixth Ave, they will NEVER know what it is actually like. They hear, they see, but they will never understand. How to understand? They go back to their bungalow/multi-storey houses at night. We go back to our HDB, my fella singaporeans.

We need to solve this problem ourselves - in house. Make your choices clearly, let go of luxury, let go of wants, or let go of having children.
By Lookingfor betterlife @ 21/02/2007 7:10 PM
Great! So our salary not going up! GST increasing so that businessmen pay more for us?? Think again! How many times we get rebates and cash back? Working everyday and not able to go for holidays, not able to see the world?? Why work then?? just to survive?? that is sad!
I know people are suffering in other parts of the world. So what should we do?? earn and donate and eat plain rice and stay at home after work and during holidays or even weekends??
By doris @ 24/02/2007 6:57 PM
yes, full agree, work hard which not gain nothing back, GST increase but salary remain, no increment, bosses will tell company no earning that why no increment, even tell you have you have bad performance or even can advise you is time to retire for this year..... ( if some of my friend told me)
By Clay @ 26/02/2007 2:42 PM
Great point. What is the purpose of working if you cant have any fun?
By Om Nath @ 27/02/2007 3:47 PM
When you are young and actively earning or doing well in some cases, then you think of only the present. You say, "Come On! Joe, Let's enjoy. Throw the cares to the wind!"

However, life is not always the same. A friend of mine once lamented the fact that he did not cared to save for his rainy days or old age and he now feels guilty and regret for not thinking of the future in the past. He knows that certain hardship is waiting to happen if something happens in his old age for example falling seriously ill and being warded in hospital.

I think the government has done the best for the people and it's a folly to blame everyone except ourselves for poor planning. It is our lives. How we do with it or how we live has a profound effect.

It pays to plan for the future and to have some savings because:

(a) life is uncertain

(b) price of goods and services will always move upward

(c) we cannot be working forever; all of us will retire one day (if your health is good and record is worthy, the employer would surely consider to extend your working years)

(d) try to remain healthy so that your life remains meaningful as you remain busy and contribute well

So if you care for your life and living, then the cost of living will not be so harsh on you.

By Get Real' @ 27/02/2007 11:55 PM
Everywhere in the world, there are rich and poor people.
The important point is not how the wealthy lives, but, how the poor are being taken care of.
Singapore being a place with no natural resources, but, only human resources are in a way being forced to find funds to run the country through various type of taxes.
We are lucky in a way that we don't suffer from natural disasters or political unstability and with a strong, caring and clean government can progress and have a
comfortable life for the average citizens.
I am not in politics, I am just a humble below average citizen, who can't live in luxury, but, three meals is still not a problem.
Increasing the GST, do affect my family of four.
I can't say that I welcome it, but, can't think of any better solutions, it is easy to sing along with the crowd, but, if you are in the government shoes, what would you do?
We should be coming out with more solutions for the government to ponder than just shooting down the idea and making the whole issue looks so depressing.
If going by the respond over here, if each and everyone who writes in can provide a solution, then, I believe the government will have plenty of solutions to consider.
I really can't think of one at the moment, but, sure will write in if I have one.
We the citizen of Singapore, must be united when face with problems, we must find solution, no one owes us a living, in the past , present and future.
We don't have much when we start off, our parent show unity in dispair and changed a hopeless nation to one that other countries want to emulate.
I believe with a more educated citizens we should be better off, if only with put our priority for the country, instead of just being critical about the government.
It is not easy to come up with solution, but, very easy to criticise without providing an alternative.
I know this is a feedback column, but, it should not be just a criticism corner, it can also be a solution corner.
I strongly believe with our peaceful environment, be it politically, naturally, socially or religiously, it can be better if we be a nation that overcome problems and not drown with problems.
Hope to see more cheerful, positive and encouraging feedback always.
Remember for every citizen wanting out, there are one awaiting to come in.
What you have here is not normal peacefulness, it your life and choice.
To a better tomorrow Singapore.
By josephine @ 28/02/2007 10:26 AM
How much can the government increase the GST? In another few more years, I can anticipate that it go up to as high as 10-15% like in other european developed countries. But unlike those developed countries who have very good welfare benefits, Singapore seem to be lacking in this areas but yet they want to increase the GST!
By Peter @ 28/02/2007 10:36 AM
Do you guys know how much 1 tin of milk formular of a good brand cost($30) for babies below 6 mths which can last only 4 -5 days. AND you guys know how much a pack of diapers of 32 pcs cost($15) and can only last for abt a week or so? And the medical bills to see the doctors if the baby is sick rolls up to a big snow ball. Who will want to have more kids if you can't even afford to pay for this basic needs? And what abt their education fees when they goes to school? Singapore parents are I think the most pathetic parents there are compared to others country.Sad but true, don't you agreed?
By Get real @ 28/02/2007 10:49 AM
I believe the government will be prudent in every of their decisions, because they will be accountable for it and if it is very poorly thought, it will be shot down by the MPs, Opposition MPs, NMP and even by public,like you and me.
Like I said earlier, we don't have natural resources, the government have accumulates lots of RESERVES, which is untouchable until real bad crisis.
In order not having to dig into the reserves, the government need to have taxes to run the country, nothing is free.
As we have no other resouces to fall back, the only way is by tax.
The government is trying to cushion the impact on the poor by coming out with hand out, but, this too need funds, and not wanting to dig into the reserve, they have not much alternative.
They can simply increase the taxes and not giving any help to the poor, if they like, what can we do?
Fortunately, they did not do that, for they have greater plan to the future for us, be glad and grateful that we have such a government that other are admiring.
By John @ 28/02/2007 1:20 PM
I think it's time for the government to considering adjusting the wages for the civil servants as the cost of living keeps on increasing, the burden of having a family is wearing out on a lot of people. While we can't have any say for the private organisation, I think the government should set an example first to adjust the wages of civil servants.
By doris @ 28/02/2007 3:09 PM
true, that goverment should have adjustment on the civil servants wage, if they can adjustment it, why do the private company cannot do it, some of us(which i belive) already freeze the increment more than 5 yrs. they only can tell you your performance not good enough etc....
By getting depressed @ 28/02/2007 5:45 PM
getting depressed thinking about the future. What future? No property, no savings, no insurance, no CPF. I am full time home-maker. My parents and his are not in pink of health suffering from many a chronic illness including cancer. i must look after my darling. living on single income is no joke esp if that is a free-lanced one. life is more impt than $, God will provide but need money for everything and yes, since we now have bb, every single cent goes to rental, bb, publis transport then us. I have no budget for upkeep..everything is DIY facial nails etc. I avoid all social functions as no $ give red packet, nothing really nothing to wear.
Go to work..but how?? hubby not home till late nite to look after bb and he cant!! get a maid..dun trust them but no space for them unless sleep in balcony.
Singapore is such stressful place to live in..cant imagine when its 6.5mil, I hope i not around to jostle with people for everything, there again my only child ( how to have more) needs me.
By Baby faced @ 28/02/2007 5:55 PM
ya...about the diaper and milk powder. my bb now 2 year old..still in diapers!! she born vis most exp method..emergency c section..paid by credit. the immumisation WOW..so exp esp Pneumoccal almost 300 a jab. she needs 3. Baby bonus for first child 750 x 4( every 6 months) where got enough!!! she now in child care. Every month having one precious kid set us back by $1000. So far no extra funds for this only child's education needs. Come on..already cant balance monthly cash flow..no matter how outflow always more.. now with GST going up..more motivated to wean her off diapers...if only she will co operate!!!
By Simon @ 02/03/2007 2:30 PM
Yes I have children of my own and it is getting very expensive. It is starting to get to the point where only the rich can afford to have children.
By jane @ 05/03/2007 1:23 PM
I think the goverment could consider allowing female staff in civil service to have flexible working hours. I would definitely most happy to go back to work after my maternity leave!! I propose having a half-day working scheme for new mums for up to 2 years. For pay wise, I don't mind getting half of my paycheck as I have more time to do things like go to the bank, buying grocery, marketing, have time to cook for my family( now we just eat out, even for my 3 year old daughter). If i work half a day, I still have time to go back to cook dinner(at least one homecooked meal) and boil soup for my hubby and daughter. Utimately, working half days also means having some time for myself. You would not be able to imagine having to apply leave just to go for a haircut as having kids mean you are totally deprive of time for yourself. I would strongly encouraged this half day work scheme for mums-to-be!!
By jane @ 05/03/2007 1:25 PM
I think the goverment could consider allowing female staff in civil service to have flexible working hours. I would definitely most happy to go back to work after my maternity leave!! I propose having a half-day working scheme for new mums for up to 2 years. For pay wise, I don't mind getting half of my paycheck as I have more time to do things like go to the bank, buying grocery, marketing, have time to cook for my family( now we just eat out, even for my 3 year old daughter). If i work half a day, I still have time to go back to cook dinner(at least one homecooked meal) and boil soup for my hubby and daughter. Utimately, working half days also means having some time for myself. You would not be able to imagine having to apply leave just to go for a haircut as having kids mean you are totally deprive of time for yourself. I would strongly encouraged this half day work scheme for mums-to-be!!
By Common Mode @ 05/03/2007 3:17 PM
Are the income tax going to reduce a further 7% with in the increase of GST to 7%?Why are the same old piece of salary been taxed so many times?
Eg:-Company gives us bonus which is profit after tax. But the same old piece of bonus that added to our salary annually being tax again.
By Martinst @ 08/03/2007 12:39 AM
HI, Prime Minister and all the minister;
I wonder that the year 2005 - 2003 , what happan that years? It was not balance that jobs in the market ? I wonder that funds was where are the funds going where? , Pl details on the GST 3-5% yet ? I think that not clear in the infromation. Pl information on the system . Hope that PM give all the detail and 2005-2006 years? I think that market was bad on the 2008 ? I think that answer that questions ? And the year 2009 was not stady in the 2010? His was my view on the all ciziten ? and comment on the site and goverment was collections more on the charity? What the stop on the TV ? What the goveremnt was pending the TV < What the NKF and charity on the all the charity . Hope that goverment must step in the check the charity on the funds was used ? hoe the commter can donations the funds? I think that commter was stop charity on the funds.again disappointment on the fund? What the change ruke again and protect on the other disable people. Hope that goverement . thank for suggustions.
By doris @ 12/03/2007 4:08 PM
what is the standard to raised salary, by performance or favorisium, company that i come across, that shown the favorisium to increase the salary. as long you are young .........
By YCLEE @ 13/03/2007 11:51 AM
I read almost all 40 over posting before me. Everyone comments GST hikes but no increase in pay, food price increased by 25% and etc.
In Singapore, we have nothing to say but "just follow". They are always right, GDP growth, low unemployement, rise in civil pays, is all these are their "beautiful images painted" before making any move? They have figures!!
I felt most private sectors would complain "many people walking around, no sale le". Maybe we should spent some money conduct research into public and more general areas rather than using huge companies for referrences. After all, most of the employee belongs to small and private but not just SME companies. Some of them may belong to MMC, but what is the %, 70?? or the other way round??
Even someday when GST were to reach 10%, we can only say "Okay lor"
By Clay @ 13/03/2007 3:54 PM
Great point. I could not have put it better myself.
By Raymond Lo Wan Mou @ 22/03/2007 3:46 PM
With impact of globisation, impending increase of GST, yearly inflationary rate, the little savings that the elderly saved or accummulated will be eroded against the rising cost of living.

The Government has given them a GST credit of $30/- Personally I believe that this is far too little for the standard of living in Singapore.

Several public members had written to the press advocating a national pension fund for Singaporeans 65 years and above.

Dr Kanwaljit Sion, a past NMP had proposed this in the Parliament debate before .She still believes and advocated a pension fund for those 70 years and above be given $300/- after stepping down as NMP.

I wrote to our Honourable Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong suggesting $120/- for those 65 years and above.

Now that we get $30/-

Let us have a healthy and mature discussion on this.

WARMEST REGARDS & BEST WISHES

Raymond Lo Wan Mou
By SIUMON SOO @ 28/03/2007 10:41 AM
POOR SINGAPOREANS SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHOICE TO GET GST OFFSET CREDITS IN ONE INSTEAD OF FOUR YEAR
By Izkhairol @ 30/03/2007 9:45 AM
With everythin at an all time high, one could only wonder about the gap between the lower income Singaporeans and the higher Income group. It seems to diversify the fact that we are seeing less middle income group that is ever diminishing. 7% GSt here ? well let me say this for a fact, i am a well travelled person and to quote by example for Australia, their GST is much more higher than us but do you know for a fact they dont implement GST on Groceries,
Uncooked food and household essential and medical. That is the least The government could do for us. To top up our woes and misery for us Singaporeans struggling to make a living, the call for answers towards our Jobs being given to foreigners. Its fair to have foreigners ot build up Singapore in Professional fields for their various expertise, but to have Cashiers at NTUC being Philiphinos, Barber from Malaysia and Customer Service Staff from Indonesia ,China and malaysia ??
Pls stop giving excuses Singaporeans are choosy and do not want to do these jobs !
There are such a huge number of unemployed Singaporeans only having to struggle with foreigners for blue collared jobs..is this fair too us making a living here ?
By Candy @ 02/04/2007 11:04 AM
GST gg up, but my pay still remain same as the 'O' level qualification's pay. i am a poly diploma holder and i am govt servant but i never receipt the same amout as a poly graduate.
By unhappy lady @ 02/04/2007 1:42 PM