Budget 2013

Reply to Budget 2013 on Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:11:47 GMT

starlight1968sg — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:11:47 GMT

jetsetter:
starlight1968sg:
Today (21 Feb) Singapore Budget 2014

need to start new thread for 2014:)

Yes, but unsure folks here are keen in such matters.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:10:34 GMT

jetsetter — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:10:34 GMT

starlight1968sg:
Today (21 Feb) Singapore Budget 2014

need to start new thread for 2014:)

Reply to Budget 2013 on Fri, 21 Feb 2014 01:40:46 GMT

starlight1968sg — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 01:40:46 GMT

Today (21 Feb) Singapore Budget 2014

Reply to Budget 2013 on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:01:48 GMT

concern2 — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:01:48 GMT

$170 million to be spent to boost work-life harmony

(source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/-170-million-to-be-spent-to-boost-work-life-harmony-091546347.html)

Minister of State for Manpower Amy Khor in Parliament on Thursday unveiled an extensive “WorkPro” scheme aimed at promoting work-life harmony in Singapore.

Consisting of three programmes combined into one, it will involve some $170 million being spent on helping employees achieve better work-life harmony and also supporting employers to hire back-to-work and mature workers.

Small and Medium Enterprises are expected to make up 70 per cent of the companies which will benefit from WorkPro, with $100 million of the fund to be pumped into encouraging employers to implement flexible work arrangements, including a $40,000 grant given to employers who implement work-life strategies.

WorkPro also aims to encourage employers to hire and retain mature workers and locals who have been unemployed for long periods of time through a Hire Retention Scheme and a Job Redesign Grant.

Under the Hire Retention Scheme, employers will receive a retention incentive of up to $2,000 for each newly hired back-to-work employee or matured worker earning below $4,500. The Job Redesign Grant, in turn, awards up to $300,000 to companies to redesign jobs for this particular demographic of employees.

The support continues in the form of an on-the-job training allowance provided by WorkPro which provides employers up to $2,000 a month for each back-to-work local employee they hire and train.

Employees who stay with their companies for over a year will receive a retention bonus of up to $1,200, which may motivate them to stay in their jobs.
_________

With regards to those in bold, what constitutes \"newly hired back-to-work employee\"? Does it mean must go back to x-employer? If not, how do employers /authorities determine whether the person is 'back-to-work', or if the person is just waiting in vain for job offer? What if in between, the SAHP for instance, had been doing part-time real estate or tuition?

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:35:32 GMT

Coolkidsrock2 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:35:32 GMT

Oppsgal:
janet_lee88:
Hi ngl,

I know food prices at kopitiam Vivo are more ex compared to other branches.
Even the dessert portion is lesser too. Son loves mango sunrise and he was upset when he didn't get to enjoy same portion there. Think stalls are trying to kill people who stay at sentosa but come out to eat. A bowl of ban 面 as well as char kuay teow at MBS food court costs $8 each. I pity those working there. How much do these people pay a month just for lunch?
SAHMs lost touch Liao.
:shock: If so expensive, eat fast food there, cheaper right?

There is probably staff rate for staff of tenants working there? The hotel's staff can eat at the staff canteen.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:50:53 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:50:53 GMT

Fast food 吃不饱. Most people will not consider fast food as a meal…and besides, this is everyday. Can’t eat Mac, KFC and BK everyday. Thinking about it makes my hair stand.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:21:52 GMT

Oppsgal — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:21:52 GMT

janet_lee88:
Hi ngl,

I know food prices at kopitiam Vivo are more ex compared to other branches.
Even the dessert portion is lesser too. Son loves mango sunrise and he was upset when he didn't get to enjoy same portion there. Think stalls are trying to kill people who stay at sentosa but come out to eat. A bowl of ban 面 as well as char kuay teow at MBS food court costs $8 each. I pity those working there. How much do these people pay a month just for lunch?
SAHMs lost touch Liao.

:shock: If so expensive, eat fast food there, cheaper right?

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:41:30 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:41:30 GMT

Hi ngl,

I know food prices at kopitiam Vivo are more ex compared to other branches.
Even the dessert portion is lesser too. Son loves mango sunrise and he was upset when he didn’t get to enjoy same portion there. Think stalls are trying to kill people who stay at sentosa but come out to eat. A bowl of ban 面 as well as char kuay teow at MBS food court costs $8 each. I pity those working there. How much do these people pay a month just for lunch?
SAHMs lost touch Liao.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:31:04 GMT

ngl2010 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:31:04 GMT

janet_lee88:
sleepy:
I only eat in restaurants with hubby.

if eating with kids can only go food court or coffee shop. Even a simple meal + coffee at killiney coffee shop can come up to$30
I get my Chee cheong fun fix at kopitiam...$2.20 with coffee...increased 20 cent from $2. Even QB house increased price of hair cut.

Sleepy/ngl,
Breakfast alone so ex?

I was also so shocked. I didn't have breakfast at Killiney or other well-known coffee chain. It was at a food court in a suburban mall.

And yesterday I had lunch with my friend at Food Republic at Vivo City and 1 bowl of prawn mee costs $ 8+ ??? What's happening? Have I been SAHM too long that I forgot weekday lunches can cost that much? While I was working, I remember prawn mee costs around $ 4 - 5 at CBD.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:12:59 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:12:59 GMT

sleepy:
I only eat in restaurants with hubby.

if eating with kids can only go food court or coffee shop. Even a simple meal + coffee at killiney coffee shop can come up to$30

I get my Chee cheong fun fix at kopitiam...$2.20 with coffee...increased 20 cent from $2. Even QB house increased price of hair cut.

Sleepy/ngl,
Breakfast alone so ex?

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:08:51 GMT

ngl2010 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:08:51 GMT

This morning I had breakfast outside and got a shock when I have to pay $ 4.50 for beehoon + 1 egg + 1 fish cake + 1 teh o kosong. So expensive... :faint:

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:06:11 GMT

sleepy — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:06:11 GMT

I only eat in restaurants with hubby.

if eating with kids can only go food court or coffee shop. Even a simple meal + coffee at killiney coffee shop can come up to$30

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:00:57 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:00:57 GMT

Prices have all gone up…if big family goes out to eat, the bill can be substantial. Maybe for family of 4, it is not so bad.

Hubby said the stall selling Pork porridge at the market increased 50 cents suddenly. He 打包 with tiffin carrier on weekends. Chwee kueh also increased price.

You will be surprised to see long queues snaking outside sakae sushi, swensens or some restaurants on weekends.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:30:54 GMT

Oppsgal — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:30:54 GMT

Wondering are inflation and rising cost of living, same as personal budgetting?

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:24:00 GMT

Funz — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:24:00 GMT

Budget 2013 really become talk about personal budgetting.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:23:14 GMT

Coolkidsrock2 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:23:14 GMT

pirate:
Well, here's proof from the latest round of COE bidding that the wealthy weren't the ones driving up COE prices.

[quote]March 2013 1st Open Bidding Result

Cat A - $74,689
Cat B - $58,090
Cat E - $65,001

[/quote]I agree it is not the wealthy who are driving up prices. In fact, I know many whose staff are driving luxury cars (Porsche, BMWs, Mercs) while they are driving Japanese cars.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:56:52 GMT

Oppsgal — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:56:52 GMT

concern2:

Ya. Actually, if one thinks about 'eating out' as eating in restaurants, cooking them at home if we can is DEFINITELY cheaper. Like what Funz n Janet mentioned, doing pizzas and chicken wings etc. Not just for the service charge and GST which are not counted until you get your bill. Per dish itself is already much more expensive than if you were to cooking them at home.

Going to restaurants is getting more and more unaffordable. No service charge also Ex...some tze char stall even have GST.. These days, if we want to eat out, we hunt down coffeeshops in industrial areas that offer good tze char, and some even offer good Reunion Dinner packages that's value for money - no need to have zircon or luxurious deco, good food and price for money is better - or travel to malaysia also worthwhile..

tze char portion small small and price also increase at coffeeshops near by. Almost same price as the aircon restaurant, and the restaurant no service charge.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:49:29 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:49:29 GMT

We do not like to eat at restaurants bcos of paying +++, unless birthday for parents…most of the time, parents do not want to eat out…bcos of the high salt, MSG and oil. Tze char sometimes when we too tired after a day out.

Close 1 eye.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:40:05 GMT

concern2 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:40:05 GMT

keroppi:
Oppsgal:

We still eat out every weekend but now we only go to restaurants/ eateries that don't impose 10% service charge on diners like Hans, Pasta Mania, Nahkon, Janes Kitchen, Spitz, tze char stalls, etc.

If push comes to shove, I'll don my apron.

Ya. Actually, if one thinks about 'eating out' as eating in restaurants, cooking them at home if we can is DEFINITELY cheaper. Like what Funz n Janet mentioned, doing pizzas and chicken wings etc. Not just for the service charge and GST which are not counted until you get your bill. Per dish itself is already much more expensive than if you were to cooking them at home.

Going to restaurants is getting more and more unaffordable. No service charge also Ex...some tze char stall even have GST.. These days, if we want to eat out, we hunt down coffeeshops in industrial areas that offer good tze char, and some even offer good Reunion Dinner packages that's value for money - no need to have zircon or luxurious deco, good food and price for money is better - or travel to malaysia also worthwhile..

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:12:00 GMT

keroppi — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:12:00 GMT

Oppsgal:
concern2:
[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]If my kids are grown up and working, I would enjoy coffee and toast outside. Ya Kun toast is expensive...bread is halved and for that pathetic thin pieces, I feel heartache paying for it.

I would buy a bottle of kaya from bread talk and make my own toast. Food prices are escalating and if we eat out, it's bcos I am tired of routine.
Last Sunday, we ordered pizza...the pan pizza crust is something not easily avail...made our own garlic bread and chicken wings in Air fryer. Satisfying and so much cheaper.
Air fryer not cheap leh...

Used to eat out wkends, now mostly diy at home.

The toast shrinking, cup of coffee less and less, hardly can keep me awake.

Go eat vegetable rice, vegetables a few strings, meat a few pieces (some sweet and sour pork only few pieces and mostly coated with more flour), need to eat at least 2 meals.

But go supermarket buy things cook, food also not very cheap. Meat like more expensive. [/quote]We still eat out every weekend but now we only go to restaurants/ eateries that don't impose 10% service charge on diners like Hans, Pasta Mania, Nahkon, Janes Kitchen, Spitz, tze char stalls, etc.

If push comes to shove, I'll don my apron.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:05:02 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:05:02 GMT

Really wonder if the ministers mentioned earlier, and engaging in meet the people will help much, namely education, transport, manpower…what can they do?

They can sit beside and listen…but will they understand ? That’s another question.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:57:14 GMT

concern2 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:57:14 GMT

Oppsgal:
janet_lee88:
[quote=\"Laura02\"]Check this out http://www1.channelnewsasia.com/askminister/

It's a new program where we can query Ministers on their Ministry.
Query ministers? Wow, I wonder if they are going to like it.

I wonder what would this eventually lead to?[/quote]Wah, beri de interesting hor..
If Ministers do spend time some time at MTP sessions, they'll be closer to the grounds, don't really need this leh. Want to screen next potential PM iseeet?

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:38:26 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:38:26 GMT

Oppsgal:
janet_lee88:

Query ministers? Wow, I wonder if they are going to like it.
I wonder what would this eventually lead to?

I seriously doubt many queries will be answered.
Don't think our govt departments are that receptive.

Reply to Budget 2013 on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:31:42 GMT

janet88 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:31:42 GMT

Food is expensive…rent also ex…employee salaries also ex…all add up together, caused the amount served lesser.

When we cook at home, though spices/oil/gas/ingredients not cheap, but importantly home cooked and there is nutrition. Oil used outside is cheap type. So what materials we use at home is known.

Refuse to eat toast outside for a while…pathetic bread halved into thin pieces. Spread with butter and kaya. Might as well I buy gardenia thick bread, pile on kaya at home with cheese. Lagi shiok.