It's time to tighten our belts

Seen in the Sunday Times, that Singaporeans are feeling upbeat about year 2008 and 7 out of 10 persons are expecting pay rises.

But will that be enough? I don't think so. People like me are feeling the pinch and fully aware of the rising cost of living -especially the transportation cost, the utilities cost.

Don't talk about the ridiculous ERP rates that can suka-suka increase, the petrol prices, even the prices of public transport like bus and taxi have gone up. This for most of us, cannot be avoided as we need to go work on Monday - Friday, transport is a must unless you are those lucky ones that live near your workplace. If it is food or beverage, we can have other alternative like eating roti and drinking water. Public transport is simply unavoidable!

The annual inflation is 4.2 per cent. I doubt my pay increase can't even match the inflation rate.

It's time to tighten our belts.

A light-hearted looks at the new year's ahead with Christmas jingle

Rising cost of living - Joy To The World tune

Joy to the world, my pay has come!
Let me receive my due
Let every hand, get bonuses
Then all the tills will ring
Then retailers will sing
And all in the family will want something

Joy to the world, the dollar reigns!
Let men stay in employ;
While wheat and oil, feed, meat and grains
Go up in price oh boy,
Go up in price oh boy
Go up, go up, in price, oh boy