(04-11-2014, 04:48 PM)Temperament Wrote: [ -> ] (04-11-2014, 04:38 PM)yeokiwi Wrote: [ -> ] (04-11-2014, 04:31 PM)Temperament Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, inflation should be low. But is it low in Singapore or high?
CNA had flashed news on why hawkers' food prices are high. Can you name any necessary daily living items not inflated in Singapore?
If you can soon it will be inflated too.
Sure-win question. I concede defeat.
Last reply.
Seriously,
Daily necessities of living is getting more and more expensive. O. K. some of the prices of tvs, electronics good may be going down but that's because newer and newer models are coming out faster and faster. It use to take 4 or 5 years for newer models to be in the market, now maybe 1 to 2 years. Granted a tv may be a "daily necessities of living now" but you don't have to change if you don't have the spare cash. But we need to eat everyday. Especially at hawker's centres.
HI uncle Temperament,
I have to disagree gently. The scourge of inflation is everywhere, having deflation is not actually a good idea.
Inflation is Singapore is reasonable, of course never ideal. The only crazy inflation are those of cars and properties.
But look at it this way, govt do try to regulate the properties prices through curbs, GLS to regulate supply. PPI from 1999 (post AFC) the lowest point till now is about slighly more than 100% increase, and we all KBKP like we are conned of our money, we forget we can don't buy, walk away, In china, it is a circus with few folds jumps in a matter of years in the early 2000s, I am talking about 2nd tier and 3rd tier cities too.
Again, it is a blessing to have a choice of hawker food. I know Malaysia is cheaper and SEA countries have roadside peddlers that sell damn cheap food here, but I think it is only fair to compare apple with apple, say compare Singapore with the capital cities of the world, and perhaps Australia. Even Shanghai is super expensive now compared to a decade ago. I am not talking about the upmarket malls in Shanghai.
How many countries actually let their citizens study for free if they do not meet certain salary thresholds? Pardon me, if many countries do that, then I am ignorant. FAS criteria is not actually damning strict, and we have NGOs picking up the cracks.
Of course, I do understand, Singapore is not actually a very nurturing place for ideas like democracy, complete freedom of speech, etc...
But when we talk about inflation and basic necessities prices, I think they are not doing too badly
Sorry for OT
No offense, can agree to disagree. LOL