Living in Singapore

[sharonkhoo]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2119747\" time=\"1696043551\" user_id=\"17023:

...TBH, I have seen how some low income families spend. Because they are not highly educated, they may just spend the government money immediately instead of saving the $200 to spend slowly over 2yrs.

That is a whole other question - how to help families who are \"weak\" in such areas to improve those skills? E.g. planning, budgeting, saving, delaying gratification, etc?

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2119748\" time=\"1696044244\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2119748 time=1696044244 user_id=53606]
I think maybe his homemaker wife running home tingkat service or sthg…if not who purposely use so much water one :sad:[/quote]

If they are using water for a business, presumably the earnings should cover the water bill? It could just be that there are many people in the household - perhaps the rates should take into account the no. of people in the household. Or there are a couple of recalcitrant or ignorant people in the household who won't change their habits. But scolding a person in public is definitely not the way to help.

[sharonkhoo]

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"2119741\" time=\"1696040014\" user_id=\"14025:

Yes, as long as we are working, we can still cope with these hikes. It is just that many hikes come at the same time which isnt pleasant.

I think the authorities have probably decided that it's better to hit the populace with many, and larger, increases all at once, than gradually and frequently? I don't know if I would prefer that the increases come in smaller amounts more frequently, or less frequently but in larger amounts. Electricity tariffs change every quarter, but people still complain.

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2119746\" time=\"1696043012\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2119746 time=1696043012 user_id=53606]
Water and electricity use: i cannot cut any further. Already showering in cold water & shorter timing than most females even tho i have long hair.

I will prob cut my non-essentials like eating out.[/quote]

Just compare with the median per capita consumption for your type of housing - if you're on the low end, then you're doing well! My family can't realistically cut either as we are already on the low end.

[Coolkidsrock2]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2119752\" time=\"1696048790\" user_id=\"28674:

That is a whole other question - how to help families who are \"weak\" in such areas to improve those skills? E.g. planning, budgeting, saving, delaying gratification, etc?

Unfortunately, financial literacy and skills are not taught in school.

Kids from families which are already practising these would already have the habits and concepts (delay gratification, consumption vs investment, passive income, etc) ingrained in them - heard of lower primary kids reading the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

[sharonkhoo]

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2119756\" time=\"1696050892\" user_id=\"48901:

Unfortunately, financial literacy and skills are not taught in school.

Kids from families which are already practising these would already have the habits and concepts (delay gratification, consumption vs investment, passive income, etc) ingrained in them - heard of lower primary kids reading the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

Over the years, I have come to realise that there is a difference in ability to master these skills, just as there is a difference in ability to master Maths, Music, Art, etc. Teaching kids early will help, but classroom learning tends to be forgotten quickly. What kids need is someone to model the behaviour and impose the discipline over their growing years - but this is not always available in their families. And some will just never get it. Of course, some will learn or develop those skills on their own, but not all can or will.

[lee_yl]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2119748\" time=\"1696044244\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2119748 time=1696044244 user_id=53606]
I remember once when i was at SP for their counter services, overheard a low-income family head who was there to pay (partially) his overdue bill - being scolded by the counter staff: “How many people u have living inside your flat?? Why your water bill so high?? Use less water then you won’t owe so much money lah! Next month u don’t pay we stop the water supply already!”

The poor guy…was there as a dutiful customer to pay whatever he could. Saw his expression like super sad & still need to keep quiet and get scolded in public like that.

I think maybe his homemaker wife running home tingkat service or sthg…if not who purposely use so much water one :sad:[/quote]

Heard from contractors that if there is a small leak somewhere from the tap/sink/toilet bowl, the water bill can be higher than usual.

If the poor man doesn’t even have enough money to pay for his monthly utilities, very likely he won’t have the money to check & replace tap/sink/toilet bowl

[starlight1968sg]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2119754\" time=\"1696049164\" user_id=\"28674:

I think the authorities have probably decided that it's better to hit the populace with many, and larger, increases all at once, than gradually and frequently? I don't know if I would prefer that the increases come in smaller amounts more frequently, or less frequently but in larger amounts. Electricity tariffs change every quarter, but people still complain.

Am relieved that there are handouts to help many to cushion the impact of hikes. We must rem that we cant rely on these handouts bec these are not a given. I just wonder how much help can these handouts give although it is better than none.

An increase in water and electricity is akin to an increase in GST bec it has much impact downstream. The food at hawker centres need water & electricity to prep...

[MrsKiasu]

Prices increase till no idea how much a bread cost now. Really…like starting anew. Look at brand A then compare to Brand B.

[sharonkhoo]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2119772\" time=\"1696067806\" user_id=\"43981:

Prices increase till no idea how much a bread cost now. Really..like starting anew. Look at brand A then compare to Brand B.

I've assumed that the price increases will be generally in tandem across different brands, so as long as it doesn't seem excessive, I've been too lazy to do a comparison. I suppose I should! But since I buy a lot of house brands, I think they will still be generally the best value for money.