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1. •  
     CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeJul 12th 2008)

    
   the recent course of events taken place in the world econ has since initiated our 26yr record high. there's recession, there's inflation... n now... stagnated remuneration as advocated by the govt. nt to mention, the strong campaign to drive citizens into debts - where credit/loans r heavily encouraged, while its clear with the low interest rates for savings isnt quite making $ sense to save anymore.
   
   they say wat goes up must come down, bt how true is it? is it applicable in our context?
   
   from the looks of things, fuel prices going up>> cost of imported goods going up>> electricity & water tariff going up>> transport fares going up>> quantity of ERP gantries going up>> price for ERP zones going up>> GST also soon to go up>> HDB prices going up>> govt sector pay scales also possibly going up..... ministers pay... no need to explain, already gone up.
   
   among all these, there's 1 thing that's almost certain: blood pressure gone up.
   
   perhaps this is the divine means of trimming the population down, by creating more stress, resulting in more premature deaths...???
2. •  
     CommentAuthorcontrarian (CommentTimeJul 12th 2008)

    
   Do you dare live where the cost of living goes down?
   
   This happened from 2000-2004, when real estate rents halved, real estate prices tanked to the point where you could get 30-year old private apartments for less than the equivalent HDB flats across the road, when HDB had a huge surplus of flats it couldn't sell, when car prices fell by 30%, club memberships went for the price of the transfer, and the general price index for consumables was kept down by the cheap imports and low economic activity?
   
   For many people, those were the worst of times, even worse than the 1990s financial crisis.
3. •  
     CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeJul 14th 2008)

    
   well, i suppose perhaps for cost of living ot go down at alarming rates can also prove to be quite a headache for those with frozen assets, liquidation would incur hefty loses. well, given the current times, not many who wish to liquidate n realize their gains can will it as they wish. there're plenty out there who're also stuck, cos nt to many keen buyers out there too.
   
   it'd be a wish come true if remuneration should be tied together with the incremental costs of living.
4. •  
     CommentAuthorcontrarian (CommentTimeJul 14th 2008)

    
   The problem with deflation is not only for those with assets. Its effect on consumer confidence can be destroy economic activity. Those without assets don't dare to invest in assets because what they buy falls in value over time. Consumption falls as demand falls, which leads to a cycle of lower economic activity, lower job creation and forced sales of assets.
   
   At least inflation indicates that demand is high enough to fuel a sustained upward move in prices.
5. •  
     CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeJul 16th 2008)

    
   u got a pt there. bt sad to say, nt many dare to invest in such times too. the greatest fear is when u buy high, n tomorrow deflation kicks in... there's more to lose than gain
6. •  
     CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeOct 30th 2008)

    
   was wondering how many of us have noticed the shrinkage in portions served these days? from my experience, the econ rice is not really econ rice (few strands of vege, miserable amount of meat), while chicken/duck rice now have smaller meat portions, and milo-peng should now be renamed peng-milo, cos there's more ice than milo
7. •  
     CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeOct 30th 2008)

    
   thats a true observation. my regular mee poh tah stall has been shrinking its mee, giving smaller fishballs and lesser pork lard!
8. •  
     CommentAuthorFY CHUNG (CommentTimeOct 30th 2008)

    
   either they up the price or cut down on the ingredient...worst case is that i have came across those who up their prices and yet reduce the portion/ingredients!!! so unreasonable.
9. •  
     CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeOct 31st 2008)

    
   i almost fainted at NTUC when i saw 5kg rice now priced almost $12. i think very soon, we'd be resorting to eating starch, cos flour is slightly more affordable.
   
   now, when i makan at coffeeshops, i look around observing other's meals to decide which stall serves decent proportions & which doesn't. in order to stretch the dollar, i try to top it off with soybean milk - regardless canned or not.
10. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeNov 3rd 2008)

     
    at least the price of petrol is coming down.
11. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 3rd 2008)

     
    Ha ha...can't agree more Ratatouille !
12. •  
      CommentAuthorFY CHUNG (CommentTimeNov 3rd 2008)

     
    petrol price is down but our utilities bill are still high and have not come down yet. also public transport costs are up...sigh!
13. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 3rd 2008)

     
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: FY CHUNG</cite>petrol price is down but our utilities bill are still high and have not come down yet. also public transport costs are up...sigh!</blockquote> there's always 101 'reasons' to justify price hikes, bt they just can't seem to agree with the 1001 reasons to reduce price. very soon, everybody will just be spinning into heavier debts. no surprises we end up becoming like the US... another sub-prime blunder.
14. •  
      CommentAuthorcontrarian (CommentTimeNov 5th 2008)

     
    Sad to say, people are already changing their behaviour in response to the lower petrol prices - going back to driving, moving away from fuel efficient models etc. The lessons learnt in adversity, because it was temporary, are disappearing fast.
15. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 6th 2008)

     
    the way our rds r designed with too many intersections & traffic lights, makes no sense in ppl changing to hybrid vehicles, cos it's just not gonna clock enough mileage to boost the inbuilt battery. euro 4, 5, 6 diesel engine vehicles r priced ridiculously high, forcing ppl to stick to petrol engine vehicles etc.
    
    even when 1 chooses to go for the very affordable cherry QQ, it still amounts to at least S$30-40/day usage. nt 4getting this little luxury lasts 10yrs only
16. •  
      CommentAuthorcontrarian (CommentTimeNov 8th 2008)

     
    From my experience with a Civic hybrid, the braking during start-stop traffic helps to charge the battery too, so it's not really a big problem of having no charge. The added bonus is that moving off is much better than a petrol engine. I imagine the Prius would be even better since it totally shuts off the petrol engine when stopped?
17. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 9th 2008)

     
    hybrid is relatively new in sg, n i still reckon there'd be more savings when clocking longer mileage. while the retail prices today is still nt very budget friendly for environment considerate motorists to afford.
18. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 9th 2008 edited)

     
    Better tax incentive for hybrid is the key answer to REAL SAVINGS.....what's the use of all that talk when what we need is bigger tax incentive for such vehicles....
19. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 9th 2008 edited)

     
    If the authorities waive the special diesel tax for diesel vehicles....that will be a boon to motorists.....do remember that euro 4 and 5 diesel engines are as clean as than their petrol counterpart...and not forgetting their legandary mileage...eg 18km to 20km easily per litre !!!
20. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 10th 2008 edited)

     
    bt as usual, the authorities luv to contradict themselves. they preech about going green, they go all out to promote energy conservation, bt on the other hand, with growing need for transports on the rds, they do little or nothing to advocate going green. instead, they impose profiteering measures claiming that it would keep the problem in check.
    
    a load of crap
    
    to-date, NTUC still is 1 of the leading culprits that expand plastic bags like there's no tmr.
21. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 10th 2008)

     
    It's all down to the $$$.....how can they lose this source of income ? Just like telling others to quit smoking....so why not put a total ban on smoking / imortation / sale of cigarettes ??? If they can ban chewing gums....I'm sure they can do the same with cigarettes !
22. •  
      CommentAuthorpicky gourmet (CommentTimeNov 11th 2008)

     
    Panerai, actually diesel being dirty is a misconception man (long time ago maybe)....the new diesel technology are so much more efficient and better then petrol plus those engines are really solidly made and will run forever. Singapore car are so underutilized man...in US they drive their cars to 200000+ MILES in Singapore 100000KM scrap already cos 10 years up.... bloody total waste - energy used to make a car is so much more than continuing to drive it till it dies... how green is that? All lip service.
    
    Tax on alcohol, smokes, fuel, all great source of revenue...COEs...ERPs....
23. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 11th 2008)

     
    That's the thing abt the perceived mindset of diesel in SGP....just becoz taxis here sound like lawn mowers and the smell of their exhaust reminds the public that diesel is dirty and unrefined....however, the truth is the diesel vehicle of today is clean or even cleaner than some petrol counterpart....not to mention better refinement and tsunami amount of torque = effortless motoring and better mileage !
    
    I've clocked between 160,000km to 225,000km in my previous vehicles.... and I think I've utilized them pretty well....ha ha talking abt maximizing km for buck in our artificially inflated cost of motoring here...
24. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 11th 2008)

     
    nothing in sg lasts forever, there's little or no legacy to be willed to the later generations after we're gone. compared to ppl from neighboring countries, there's a glimpse of hope for future generations to cumulate wealth and/or assets.... that's probably 1 of the reasons how some of our indonesian counterparts can use cash for fan.
    
    the car is only valid for 10yrs, additional 5yrs if u rather pay more, and there's little or no scrap value at the end of the rd. the hdb is only 99yr lease, wat r the chances of handing it down to the later generations? i'd say almost zero - cos when they come of age to start their own families, they need to get their own apartments.
    
    even at the end when the apartment reaches maturity & time to liquidate, there's no guarantee that buyers can easily afford it. while downgrading to smaller apartments, there's also property tax that will shave our profits down to the minimum.
    
    CPF withdrawal is becoming urban legend, cos its virtually becoming impossible given the minimum draw out is going to be pathetic.
    
    in other words, they just want us to slog our lives away till we're physically depreciated, n when it comes time for retirment, there's none, n if u must retire.... they show u the door.
25. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 11th 2008)

     
    That's why when u buy a car in SGP......you write off the amt completely the very first day you've signed the dotted line....why bother with resale value when 101% you are at the losing end.....when it's time to surrender the car at the end of it's artificial lifespan....
26. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeNov 12th 2008)

     
    muahahha! i like the term, 'artificial lifespan' as opposed to 'deregistered'.
    
    I personally believe in this too..."One can only die but not fall sick. Falling sick, esp the long drawn illnesses can potentially deplete all savings (insurance or not) and make one and his/her family suffer financially. But dying is only a one time expenditure."
27. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 12th 2008)

     
    But when u go over to the other side...u also need to use new currency there.....if you are lucky....u may be a wealthy bugger....if not....you have to PAP all over again...
28. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 12th 2008)

     
    actually, i really dun understand the concept of the departed ever needing for food or lodging. if the mortal already expended lifespan for mortality, the innerts are already malfunctioning, hence they call it a soul. come lunar hungry ghost festival.... i consider it 'traditional chinese buffet'
29. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeNov 12th 2008)

     
    canniggia: well, its jus beliefs. so its just up to the individual lo. :)
    
    pan: haha! u are funny! nowadays got lappie, pda, etc etc liao.
30. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 13th 2008)

     
    Ya ya...next thing can also "send over" Rolex, Patek Philippe etc etc....wah like the old saying.....better life next time !
31. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeNov 13th 2008)

     
    i'm sure can send over Panerai too!
32. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 14th 2008)

     
    Make sure send over fashionable Panerai model : )
33. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeNov 14th 2008)

     
    pan: can 'send over' rolex oredi la...
    
    i also see credit cards, luxury cars, books, branded bags like LV (if i din rem wrongly),etc...basically watever u can think of, i think they hv...
    
    still got customized service...u know..make to order...
34. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 14th 2008 edited)

     
    Wah CG....lidat there will be overpopulation of rich buggers at the other side ! The word "Poor" will no longer exist...
35. •  
      CommentAuthorcaniggia (CommentTimeNov 14th 2008)

     
    pan, the after life currency is by the hundred thousands or millions. i lost count on how many zeroes there are
36. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 14th 2008)

     
    Maybe they have special cash cards or even gold or platinum cards for transactions...
37. •  
      CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeNov 14th 2008)

     
    This is getting so off topic...
38. •  
      CommentAuthorcontrarian (CommentTimeNov 16th 2008)

     
    Reviving a point I made earlier, it is much more useful to do something about rising costs than to sit around griping about it. The time honoured way to deal with rising costs:
    1. consume less
    2. substitute with cheaper alternatives
    3. reuse, reduce, recycle
    4. take advantage of discounts and sales
    5. spend more time looking for a better price
    6. try and earn some extra money from other sources
    
    Most of our parents' generation will be familiar with these measures.

    Tim G
39. •  
      CommentAuthorHoongy ! (CommentTimeNov 17th 2008)

     
    yeah, consuming less might me a more healthier me - at least I get something out of this recession
40. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeNov 19th 2008)

     
    Ha ha like losing some extra kilos !
41. •  
      CommentAuthorHoongy ! (CommentTimeNov 20th 2008)

     
    and lower the cholestrol level