Inflation

The hottest topic is the papers these days (other than ASEAN summit, Myanmar, Pakistan) is regarding the 5% inflation reported to be the highest ever in 25 years history.

It also drew my attention to raising costs of groceries and higher expenses of living.

I realised that in the beginning of the year, we were paying $19.50 for a tin of milk. Currently, we are paying $21.50. That's a $2 raise. If I didn't calculate wrongly, this implies an over 10% of price increase in milk. I frown at this finding. This is milk for my kid. I can't simply switch brand or not purchase milk.

Before, we were spending under $120 a week for groceries and sundries. Now, we are spending between $150-$200 per week to top up our supplies.

I have always been very careless with my finances and require a knock on my head every now and then to be more careful. So last week, I started a spreadsheet to show a record of our family's expenses. I think it's time for me to be aware of what we are spending. Example, my maid is always requesting to purchase cleaning detergents. I'm simply hand out the cash without knowing the price of each labels and how often is our requisition. Hmm... not a healthy practise.

The other hot topic in my office is regarding the salary increments for employees. Though we work in an oil & gas company, profitable, the salary increments are horrendous and unfair. Why do I say horrendous and unfair? The company in regardless of economic, political, employee's performance, has always allocate between 1% - 3% of salary revision yearly. This year, we experience GST increase by 2% and now with inflation of 5%, even an idiot like myself understands that a pay adjustment between the percentile of 1% - 3% would not allow employees to manage their household expenses.

In fact, this is one of the reason why I kinda boycott attending french lessons. Last year, I received a 2% pay adjustment. After CPF deduction, I am drawing aro $80 more per month. The scenario is this... French lesson begins at 6.30pm and ends at 9.30pm. To attend this lesson, I usually beat time by commuting via taxis & have dinner at the cafe. As a result, I could spend aro $50 that evening x 4 times a month = $200 of additional expenses to acquire a language for work. But then the company doesn't reimburse for such expenses, and after working my sums, the increment does not even cover the additional costs. The company doesn't even give me examination leave to prepare for the tests.

Maybe some of you would feel - you could commute via train or pack your own dinner to save cost.

I do not agree that I've to fork out my annual leave, extra time and extra money from my miserable pay packet to finance the language course. I am a working mother and therefore time is very precious to me. When I was taking the course, I had to sacrifice Wednesday evenings. Even by taxi, I arrive home only after 10pm. I cannot imagine how long it will take for me to commute via the train and then via bus.

Especially since English is the agreed business medium in Singapore, why should we be expected to take up this additional language for the convenience of the corporation. Perhaps the HR should organise to send the Parisians to English lessons instead. The world is evolving. Isn't it time for the French to accept global changes and challenges?

In the event should I become a fluent french speaker, what does it symbolise?
More appreciation, more salary, more advances, more advantages?

Actually with my character, if I do master the language, I will not hesitate to lash out at those incompetent ones in their mother language.