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    Rising Cost of Living and Uncertain Future

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Money Matters
    17 Posts 8 Posters 32.6k Views 1 Watching
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    • F Offline
      Fairy
      last edited by

      osim:
      Is it really true that people are complaining about rising cost and fearful of losing their job? I see people spending money in shopping malls, eating and eating, buying and buying.

      osim,

      I had the same observation as you. Students used to discuss homework at MacDonalds. Now you see them at Starbucks, Coffee Club, etc instead. Every weekend, queues formed outside restaurants like Sakae, Pizza Hut, Swensens, New York & etc, as if its so cheap to eat at these places. Crumpler bags and Nike shoes are staples for school going youngsters.
      Around me, people are busy looking for properties to buy for investment.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • D Offline
        dolphinsiah
        last edited by

        In this world nobody is able to predict the future...


        Yes, the Gap of the Rich and the Poor are getting wider
        So all of us lives in fear, losing our jobs, home, status, wealth....

        Sad to see more and more highly educated people are caught in this materialistic world.....



        Every now and then must have the latest smartphone/fashion/entertainment devices......

        The Greed of Businessmen trying to leap as much $$$$ from the Customers...
        Commericals are made into attracting people to believe that they must have...
        It is cool to have it.....

        Open up your Cupboards and see how much unnecessary things we have bought through the moment of impluse..... :scared:

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        • W Offline
          WeiHan
          last edited by

          Fairy:

          WeiHan,
          I find it difficult to reconcile these comments to those articles by HR professionals published in the Straits Times in recent years, including not long ago that our fresh U grads are drawing starting pay of >$3k and as high as $6k.
          Some got $8K! But how many get their first job within 6 months? I have an impression that it is 60+%. Much lower than in the past. Do you have a link?

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          • MMMM Offline
            MMM
            last edited by

            I suppose it all voiced down to one’s feeling/ thinking towards one’s job security.


            If he/ she feels that their job is fairly secure and they are working hard to earn a good income, I don’t think it’s unfair for them to spend on branded stuff/ holidays if it is within their means. We cannot bring the money along with us to the coffin so might as well enjoy life when you can and if you can afford it.

            We do have friends around us looking at property investment. Also where yearly holiday is norm. I suppose if one can afford it, so be it. In such case, I don’t think they are spending excessively and believe they have already build their savings as well. Most are not "top earners" and family combine income around 20-30k per month range.

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            • starlight1968sgS Offline
              starlight1968sg
              last edited by

              Found this old thread.

              Yesterday, I had a chance to do grocery shopping with my mum. She told me she wont spend that much as I did. I told her all the items I bought were essential and some were on offer. She often lamented how many items a $50 could buy during her time but not nowadays.
              I truly agreed with her.
              Prices of essential food items are rising steadily but surely. Sigh… if I have to eat to live, I will need to spend to buy.

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              • T Offline
                TheAnswer
                last edited by

                MMM:
                I suppose it all voiced down to one's feeling/ thinking towards one's job security.


                If he/ she feels that their job is fairly secure and they are working hard to earn a good income, I don't think it's unfair for them to spend on branded stuff/ holidays if it is within their means. We cannot bring the money along with us to the coffin so might as well enjoy life when you can and if you can afford it.

                We do have friends around us looking at property investment. Also where yearly holiday is norm. I suppose if one can afford it, so be it. In such case, I don't think they are spending excessively and believe they have already build their savings as well. Most are not \"top earners\" and family combine income around 20-30k per month range.
                For those families with joint income of 20 to 30K per month, 2 holidays a year is no sweat to them. Once in a while buy branded goods dun really need much thought.. The scary couples are those who earn a combined income of 8 to 10K, own or want to buy condo and still enjoy the same stuff as those couples who earn 20 to 30K a month. I know such friends personally..these are the time bombs!

                In any case, no matter how much u earn also need to spend wisely with retirement in mind. Kids try not to pamper too much also. If possible, live on one income only.

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                • T Offline
                  TheAnswer
                  last edited by

                  starlight1968sg:
                  Found this old thread.

                  Yesterday, I had a chance to do grocery shopping with my mum. She told me she wont spend that much as I did. I told her all the items I bought were essential and some were on offer. She often lamented how many items a $50 could buy during her time but not nowadays.
                  I truly agreed with her.
                  Prices of essential food items are rising steadily but surely. Sigh... if I have to eat to live, I will need to spend to buy.
                  Maybe cos u bought fish maw and chicken essence that is why mum had something to say?

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                  • zbearZ Offline
                    zbear
                    last edited by

                    TheAnswer:

                    For those families with joint income of 20 to 30K per month, 2 holidays a year is no sweat to them. Once in a while buy branded goods dun really need much thought.. The scary couples are those who earn a combined income of 8 to 10K, own or want to buy condo and still enjoy the same stuff as those couples who earn 20 to 30K a month. I know such friends personally..these are the time bombs!

                    With the rapid rise in costs of living, I see that for double/single income per month -

                    8 - 10k - basic living
                    11 - 15k - slightly better
                    16 - 20k - much better
                    21k and above - luxurious living n can easily retire

                    This is just my personal opinion but such numbers are very subjective depending on one's lifestyle.

                    😄

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                    • T Offline
                      TheAnswer
                      last edited by

                      zbear:
                      TheAnswer:


                      For those families with joint income of 20 to 30K per month, 2 holidays a year is no sweat to them. Once in a while buy branded goods dun really need much thought.. The scary couples are those who earn a combined income of 8 to 10K, own or want to buy condo and still enjoy the same stuff as those couples who earn 20 to 30K a month. I know such friends personally..these are the time bombs!


                      With the rapid rise in costs of living, I see that for double/single income per month -

                      8 - 10k - basic living
                      11 - 15k - slightly better
                      16 - 20k - much better
                      21k and above - luxurious living n can easily retire

                      This is just my personal opinion but such numbers are very subjective depending on one's lifestyle.

                      😄

                      Depends on how many dependents they have also..

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                      • starlight1968sgS Offline
                        starlight1968sg
                        last edited by

                        TheAnswer:
                        Depends on how many dependents they have also..

                        Depending on other factors such as spending preference/pattern, ability to save etc.

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