RISING COST OF LIVING CRISIS

The Government has announced the unevitable and we, the people must accept that the days of subsidies are nearing over. We,the people, must change our spending habits and lower our living expections. No countries in the world, not even the developed countries, remain uneffected by the sharp rise in oil prices. USA, UK, France, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, China and EU countries are trying to fight off rising cost of food, energy and transportation due to sharp rise of fuel. In India, there are demonstrations upon demonstrations to protest the rise in oil price and millions in the middle and lower income group will suffer. But will demonstrations make the government lower oil prices when the world oil prices are going up to Mars. A political leader is quoted as saying that he will lower the petrol prices if he is in power. What he did not say was by how much and at what cost to our country's future. Anyway that is another matter.

It is understandable that we are furious at suddenly being burden with rising cost of living and like to blame someone for it. That 'someone' is the Government since no one else is nearer to us although we know that the world oil prices is the real malefactor. It's like a son/daughter who has his/her allowance cut because the parent's income is reduced and the family has to survive on less than usual. The son/daughter is crying 'unfair' and moaning at what he/she has to miss out due to the drastic reduction in allowance. In fact, he/she should be counting his/her blessings that there is still food on the table and shelter over his/her head and concentrate on finding ways to increase his/her income through other means. (e.g. recycle items and reduce spending). That is what we must do to elevate our budget problems. Look into our spending habits, our unnecessary wastage (e.g. electricity, water, food, petrol), the amount of recyclable things that we throw away and expenses we can do away. Develop a smart spending habit. Think before we spend. Spend on items that will save us cost in the long run, like energy saving light bulbs and water filters (instead of buying mineral water).

It is us who must mentally change and adapt to the changing situation, to fight the cost of living and survive.