REACH (Telegram) 74 - *What are your views on the Government’s approach to support Singaporeans with the cost of living? What other support measures can be put in place to help you deal with COL pressures?*
(SK)
14 May 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [14/5/2025 9:45 am]
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REACH Singapore, [14/5/2025 10:00 am]
📢*Topic*📢
All Singaporean households will each receive $500 in CDC vouchers from May 13 to help them with their daily expenses as part of a comprehensive package of support measures that were announced in Budget 2025. Speaking at the launch of the seventh tranche of the CDC voucher scheme at Nee Soon South Community Club, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that the CDC vouchers are not a one-off exercise to help Singaporeans cope with cost-of-living issues and that the Government will provide the help for as long as it is needed.
*What are your views on the Government’s approach to support Singaporeans with the cost of living? What other support measures can be put in place to help you deal with COL pressures?*
📌_Other forms of assistance:_
Aside from the $500 in CDC vouchers to be handed out from May 13, Singaporeans will also receive another $300 in CDC vouchers in January 2026. Other forms of assistance that will also be provided as part of the support package announced at Budget 2025 include LifeSG credits, Edusave top-ups for children and U-Save rebates. Beyond providing rebates and vouchers, PM Wong also said: “We have been and we will continue to review, update and strengthen our social system across different areas, be it housing, healthcare, education or retirement.”.
📌_Sustainability of voucher programme:_
PM Wong said maintaining fiscal responsibility has always been the Government’s approach. He said that the decision to increase taxes earlier in the decade was a difficult decision to make and that it was done to cover a funding gap in public finances, where Singapore’s finance expenditure was going to increase but revenues were not sufficient to cover the spending. He also added that because the Government raised the GST, “We have the resources to steer Singapore through the economic storms that we see coming ahead of us. That is precisely what good and responsible government is, and we will continue with this.”
📌_Closing ranks post GE2025:_
PM Wong praised the efforts of Singaporeans that include donating their CDC vouchers and implementing community initiatives like $1 deals. He noted that merchants, hawkers and supermarkets have come up with special SG60 deals to help Singaporeans make the most of their vouchers. He said that fellow Singaporeans have stepped forward to look after one another and that this is the spirit that will take Singapore forward for the next 60 years and beyond. He also called on Singaporeans to “close ranks” now that the 2025 General Election has concluded.
👉https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/govt-will-provide-help-for-as-long-as-needed-pm-wong-at-launch-of-latest-tranche-of-cdc-vouchers
365, [14/5/2025 10:17 am]
Mathematically, I've received much more in vouchers (CDC, U-Save, gst) than I have paid out in the additional gst. I think it's a very smart tax for redistribution.
Instead of the standard wealth tax that pushes away the wealthy, they are much more willing to spend more in consumption tax, due to common ego and status behavior amongst them.
They naturally spend much more than the lower income, and thus naturally will pay more consumption tax than the lower income.
The reason why vouchers are given out instead of cash, is to make sure that this pool of money continues being circulated within the economy. It contributes back to the wealthy much lesser than the lower income group. The lower income group can spend this voucher (cdc in particular) in hawker centres and coffee shops, while the wealthy will consume more often in restaurants where cdc is not accepted (there's also face and ego issues even if cdc is accepted).
Of course given the position of the government, they cannot come out and explain it this way, it'll push away the wealthy (again, face and ego issue of feeling being played) and reduce the tax we can collect from them. Some things are better to be left unsaid by them and just work in the background with plausible deniability.
I've also referenced global inflation level for the past 5 years, online sources tell me it's around 28% cumulative, while I've really only experienced a just a bit under 10% increased COL after accounting for the vouchers.
With the budget surplus we have gotten from last year, I think this should be sustainable barring any black swan events. Can't say I have any material complaints regarding this.
REACH Singapore, [14/5/2025 11:00 am]
[ Poll : The Government’s measures to support Singaporeans with cost of living pressures are adequate. ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
REACH Singapore, [14/5/2025 11:41 am]
Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
💬 What are your views on the Government’s approach to support Singaporeans with the cost of living? What other support measures can be put in place to help you deal with COL pressures?
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.
Thank you!
Megan 😊
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 11:55 am]
Big household 500 small household also 500
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 11:56 am]
I envy those who are single living alone
Ginie/Komal ZENDORA J, [14/5/2025 12:03 pm]
500 2mth grocery.
Need to bring rents down.
Need jobs, so can be self reliant.
Ginie/Komal ZENDORA J, [14/5/2025 12:03 pm]
Ya if they have jobs.
Andy, [14/5/2025 12:04 pm]
It's not for you to offset your full grocery spends..
Ginie/Komal ZENDORA J, [14/5/2025 12:05 pm]
The stress people go through paying bills , medical , food.
Forget enjoying eating out, watching movie or eating mac Donald
Andy, [14/5/2025 12:07 pm]
Is this an income opportunity problem or a cost of living problem?
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 12:09 pm]
I got a suggestion it will be better if the vouchers can use it like lifesg credits you type the exact amount and pay
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 12:09 pm]
So none of the vouchers get to waste
365, [14/5/2025 12:10 pm]
My baseline COL per household member is below 1.2k. This is including shared bills which won't need to be duplicated, or not increased linearly per household member, such as internet and electricity bills. 1.2k also includes a pretty hefty insurance policy due to personal circumstances, which probably can be reduced by another 200 if not for my personal circumstances. So overall I do find the COL to be very manageable. Looking to further decrease COL by 50 next year after changing my internet.
365, [14/5/2025 12:10 pm]
Agree to this, paying the exact amount saves a lot of time and effort, rather than having to think how to maximize the vouchers.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 12:50 pm]
1. To explain whether people can cope with high cost of living, GST hike, GST vouchers, CDC vouchers, SG 60 vouchers etc.
2. We need to address people's understanding using behavioural economics as suggested by an Economist.
3. Specifically, we need to address 2 problems that people face:-
a. Loss Aversion
b. Salient bias
4. I have previously used calculation and life example calculations side by side to explain how tax redistribution side by side to illustrate how the tax transfer through GST vouchers, CDC vouchers, SG60 etc has exceeded inflation rate and GST hike and in fact reap profit for 90% of the people.
Government say 80% - as Government would have more accurate statistics to support the percentage.
5. Later I will illustrate this. Why people still fail to see GST hike is more beneficial to people than if no GST hike but using other form of taxes that will put more people in a bad position - by explaining Behavorial Economics.
Unless the Government fully address the 2 Behavioral Economics negative attributes that People has misconceptions about the GST hike.
Else no matter how much a large majority of the people benefitted from the GST hike and how adversely impacted if other taxes are used, people will still balked at the GST hike, still pin blame on Government trigger high cost of living and still believe opposition words that inflation is trigger by the GST hike.
6. Notice that a participant here give a good explanation here that GST hike in tax collection is not a regressive tax for Singapore unlike overseas countries because of the tax transfer in which overseas countries don't do.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 12:51 pm]
Good explanation.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 1:34 pm]
The 2 behavioral economics of people are boils down to 2 simple psychological factors:-
1. People form opinions and jump to the conclusion based on what they see on the surface or superficial level.
2. Unable to understand the latent or true reality that are indirect or complex or need computation to derive the real truth.
Hence negative impressions are derived by people of the GST hike and can be fully exploited by oppositions to distort the truth and people get fool that GST harm them when in fact GST hike benefit 90% of the people (based on ground experience) or rather 80% of the people as put forward by the government.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 1:36 pm]
Trump also fully exploited these 2 behavioral economics - loss aversion and salient bias to fool his MAGA voters that tariff benefit them which in fact harm them.
But Trump win the election and when the negative consequences of Tariff war manifested, all his supporters suddenly realise they were fooled by Trump and voters regret sets in.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 1:39 pm]
So to effectively deliver new taxes, adequately addressing and explaining the complex mechanism of GST hikes in simple illustrations how GST hike benefit people, to tackle the 2 negative behavioral economics - loss aversion and salient bias, Government will always be cast in a negative lights by oppositions or people who don't understand the benefits.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 1:43 pm]
Luckily for Singapore, the reverse is true.
Government get a landslide win and the benefits of GST hikes and tax redistribution are shared by the people.
Still the poll reveals that people still feel cost of living is still impacting them.
Then we need to tackle and address the 2 Behavioral Economics head on again.
Khai Mun L., [14/5/2025 1:56 pm]
Downside would be they cannot be printed out for those less tech savvy
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 2:16 pm]
Life sg credits also have hard copy voucher
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 2:18 pm]
I think it can be done by printing qr codes and the merchant just scan type in the amount accordingly with balance showing
Or maybe linking it to the IC and they can type the amount they want to pay on the merchant devices
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 2:50 pm]
*Why not use other taxes instead of GST tax that impact all the people?*
*Why not levy more income tax from the working population?*
1. Our younger generations shrink due to lower birth rate, TFR and elderly population from Baby Boomers grow.
Hence if levy personal tax - younger generations burden will be very heavy as the number of younger generations pool are smaller --- even higher personal taxes require to derive the same amount of taxes from GST hike (that have a bigger tax pool).
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 2:57 pm]
*2. Why not more corporate tax?*
We need to attract more investors and corporate here to set up business and create employment.
If we want the Government to levy higher corporate tax - than business will leave Singapore and our people lose jobs.
Already, BEPS minimum global tax already make Singapore competitive corporate tax structure not so attractive as before.
Already, business that solely or mainly manufactured for US market are coining to onshore back to US.
If we levy more corporate tax, it will hasten the speed of business withdrawal from Singapore.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:07 pm]
*3. Why not levy wealth tax, inheritance tax, estate duty from the ultra rich?*
- Ultra rich are very versatile and they spread their wealth all over the World to reap the most optimal tax structure and financial investment to grow their wealth.
- The moment they discover if we want our Government to target the ultra rich specifically to levy wealth tax, inheritance tax, estate duty - the ultra rich will simply transfer and shifth all their wealth outside Singapore with a click of a few buttons online. This is exactly what happens to many Countries that levy such wealth taxes and many ultra rich shift their wealth to Singapore because of our competitve tax structure.
- Why was Estate Duty abolished in Singapore? Prior to its abolition, Estate Duty collection ranged at around S$70-75 million a year. However, as wealth was generated in other ways such as by entrepreneurial means, even when there was little initial capital, inheritance tax did not seem as impactful.
Compared to billions of dollars we collect from GST, wealth tax collected is peanut.
- Then what happens if ultra-rich leave Singapore?
- To compensate for GST collection lost from ultra-rich - Government will have to collect more income tax, corporate tax and even higher GST from our higher, middle and lower income group --- without the benefits of tax redistribution such as GST vouchers, CDC vouchers, SG60 etc.
- It backfire on us - when oppositions propose this solutions.
- Worst still, oppositions propose draw more from our reserves 60% NIRC and leave lesser and lesser for our younger generations.
- Finance fiscal budget through land sales - and leave no more lands for our future generations.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:16 pm]
Just need to tax 1% of wealth tax right might equivalent of the whole 2%gst liao
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:17 pm]
And this will drive away the wealthy, end up we all pay even higher GST to cover the lost.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:18 pm]
Maybe luxury goods tax.like your Prada Rolex etc.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:19 pm]
And a tourist entry fee
Daniel, [14/5/2025 3:20 pm]
I feel like GST is quite fair, since it will affect those more that spend more. So your Rolex might have the same rate as a Casio, but in absolute numbers it's a lot higher.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:20 pm]
Unless you can produce the statistics that wealthy will bite, the amount collected is billions of dollars.
History and many countries experience show that wealth tax bring the opposite effects.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:20 pm]
And countries that levy tourist tax curbing tourists from coming.
365, [14/5/2025 3:20 pm]
They don't have to purchase it within sg. It's the cumulative of all the small purchases that are not worth the hassle to purchase from elsewhere that will generate a high revenue. Also, services consumed within sg will always be purchased in sg.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:21 pm]
Exactly.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:22 pm]
Then other countries are doing it
365, [14/5/2025 3:22 pm]
The smart part of gst taxation is increasing the tax the wealthy contribute more against the average or lower income groups, while not pushing them away. Most other taxation methods sound good on paper, but run the risk of pushing them away.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:23 pm]
Australia Thailand Japan they all tax tourist
365, [14/5/2025 3:23 pm]
Tourism contributes a significant portion of our revenue, that's the last thing we want.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:23 pm]
As of May 11, 2025, a total of 12,948,032 foreign tourists have entered Thailand since January 1 — a 1.04% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:23 pm]
Due to scam
365, [14/5/2025 3:23 pm]
Australia, Thailand, Japan have other industries to support themselves, industries that they can possess by nature of their massive land area and resources which we do not enjoy.
365, [14/5/2025 3:25 pm]
Sg cannot adopt a protectionist attitude. Realise that no matter how hard we want to try, regardless of who is leading sg, we will always be affected majorly by other nations and global trends. That is the nature of our country, simply due to our size.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:26 pm]
Singapore tourism receipt is $30 billion.
1% tax is $300 million.
A fraction of billion of dollars from GST.
It is not practical.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:27 pm]
Pays a $2 entry fee for all foreigners
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:28 pm]
Cause Singapore is too crowded no space liao
365, [14/5/2025 3:28 pm]
Tourism gets us more revenue in transport, services, accommodation, gifts and souvenirs, food. It's spans across so many sectors that we want more tourist to come and spend.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:29 pm]
Those that can spend will not be blocked by a $2
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:29 pm]
*Let us explain the negative attributes of Behavioral Economics (a new branch of Economic) - loss aversion and salient bias*
*What is Loss Aversion?*
1. People feel more pain when they see the hike of GST - from 7% to 9%.
Eg. A product cost $100.
GST is $7 if GST is 7%.
When GST is increase to 9%, it is $9.
People feel pain when they see they have to pay an extra of $2 to GST hike.
But despite the fact that Government give people back $2 through GST vouchers etc and in fact multiple times of the tax redistribution - people don't see the GST hike benefit them because of the Behaviorial Economics of "Loss Aversion".
People see pain in front of them - even though on their hindsight, they benefit much more from GST tax redistribution.
365, [14/5/2025 3:30 pm]
It's the emotional behavior of feeling being ripped off for nothing that deters tourists, not the actual monetary cost itself.
365, [14/5/2025 3:31 pm]
People in general don't like the feeling of something taken away from them, in this case it's the "free entry".
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:32 pm]
I think gst tax is like once done its done liao. Even if revert back the price is not going t change
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:33 pm]
But I terms of foreigners and pr and new citizens we should really reduce intake
365, [14/5/2025 3:34 pm]
I personally have a take on citizen conversion but seems like there isn't really a topic suitable for it yet.
G, [14/5/2025 3:34 pm]
Why not cut down on all those unnecessary govt spending so that there's less demand for tax money?
e.g.:
1. Stop stockpiling covid jabs that require super cold storage (pfizer jabs require -70 deg C) All those require huge amounts of electricity to store
2. Shut down unnecessary stat boards like the newly created one under MOH (CDA) whose sole purpose is to consolidate existing functions under existing stat boards. This is to reduce unnecessary and very costly overheads (C suite salaries & bonuses, dedicated supports (e.g. IT servers etc))
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:35 pm]
How about we out source our mayors
G, [14/5/2025 3:35 pm]
How about eliminate them? Outsource still need to pay. Pay means need to find money from somewhere
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:35 pm]
Give them 5k will be enough
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:36 pm]
Or maybe ncmp pay
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:37 pm]
As a part-time role I think ncmp pay good enough
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:37 pm]
I am doing reservist right now
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:37 pm]
Literally serving the nation
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:37 pm]
Right now i am figuratively locked in a room
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:37 pm]
Waiting
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:38 pm]
Because have to wait for everybody finish their stuff
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:38 pm]
I think ministers need to be locked in parliament to serve their nation, regardless of whether their time is well spent
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:38 pm]
How else can we confirm they are not exploiting the system
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:39 pm]
I am playing by the rules
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 3:39 pm]
Give them nsf allowance
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:39 pm]
They should too
RY, [14/5/2025 3:43 pm]
I hope the govt CDC vouchers may also extend the use of electronic pdts in bigger electronic chains, besides hawker/mkt/SMEs and supermarkets
Every household will need to use electronic pdts eg TV/Fridge/Washing machine/Toaster/AirFryer/Aircon/MobilePhone/Laptop/Lights and etc
The NEA Climate voucher does help but limited only to energy & water saving 10 pdts
And we know there is shelf-life in every electronic pdts, that they maybe spoilt and need to be replaced later
Maybe Govt can consider and extend the use of CDC vouchers to larger electronic chain eg Harvey/GainCity/Courts n etc, as they have the most varieties/brands/sale
SuperMkts do carry electronic pdts, but only limited to certain brands
Currently, the CDC only 2 categories and supermkts and non-supermkts, maybe govt may have the 3rd categories for electronic pdts ?
These larger electronic chains also part of SG economy, and every household definitely require the use of basic electronic pdts eg TV
Example if TV is spoilt, I may use the CDC voucher and go to larger electronics chains to compare the prices and get the brand I wish to have, as they have the most varieties/brands
Bec small neighbourhood electronic shops have very limited brands/varieties
Just some suggestion
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:43 pm]
Speaking of reservist, we need to give disproportionately more voucher benefits or whatever to those that served
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:44 pm]
Everybody pay gst. Everybody benefits from being here. But not everybody has sacrificed their time for the country
G, [14/5/2025 3:44 pm]
What is the govt doing to tighten their belt, to eliminate unnecessary spending so that there is less demand for tax money?
Isn't it prudent to spend within their means? Why persist on spending on the same unnecessary things, then when realise current tax revenue cannot support, then come and increase tax?
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:45 pm]
If suddenly everybody stop serving and we had to hire private military, ambulance, police from open market. How much will gst need to increase. Did we think to value our servicemen
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:46 pm]
When will govt give back?
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:47 pm]
Mind you, the people who served are a small fraction of those that pay gst in singapore
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:48 pm]
fraction of all beneficiaries of household and universal vouchers
365, [14/5/2025 3:50 pm]
Gst is meant to be a redistribution to lower income, not based on merit and contribution.
If it were to be based on contribution, then the wealthy will be getting back more because they tend to spend more and thus pay more in gst.
Not to say that there shouldn't be more to be done for those that are serving, but this doesn't seem to correlate well with gst and its intentions.
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:51 pm]
Ah but the money we give to servicemen has to come from somewhere. If gst isnt used for it then where? Income tax? Nirc?
365, [14/5/2025 3:51 pm]
There are also programs like the ns credit that are exclusive to those who have served.
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:51 pm]
So lets say we want to recognise servicemen more? No other way to increase gov money?
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:52 pm]
And do you think ns credit is sufficient?
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:53 pm]
Would women volunteer to go do ns for credit
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 3:53 pm]
*What is Salience Bias?*
1. What is more prominent, what is more obvious to me is more important.
2. So the GST hike of 7% to 9% - we see it everyday, we experience it everyday as we pay for food, buy groceries, buy stuff --- is more prominent and more obvious to people.
3. Whereas GST vouchers, SG60 vouchers, CDC vouchers will come in one lump sum many months once, or come silently (in cash form), utilities rebate etc - that are not as prominent, as obvious to people - even though the total amount collected is much more than the GST hike we pay in our daily purchase of essential items.
4. For eg. my monthly expenses is $4,000 for the whole household. So my monthly GST hike is $80 a month or $960 a year.
But my GST vouchers, CDC vouchers, SG60, utilities rebate plus others are $10,700 for the household - much more than the $960 GST hike.
5. Oppositions will say, oh GST hike has compounded effect - not only the 2% hike.
6. I take my household example, I don't agree with the compounded effect theory by the Oppositions or those who believe what the Oppositions say:
a. Global inflation is largely due to Geopolitical events eg. tariff war, global supply disruption, war, sanctions, global climate etc.
b. My family actual spendings as a result of inflation go from $3,800 a month to $4,000 a month or from $45,600 a year to $48,000 a year - and additional of $2,400 (due to inflation and GST 2% hike).
But my GST redistribution tax rebate is $10,700 -- a profit of *$8,300*.
7. This is a classic illustration of "Salience Bias" - despite benefitting *$8,300* a year from GST hike - people still complain about the higher cost of living due to inflation and GST hike of *$2,400* in my case.
That is people choose to believe what they "see" rather than what they *benefitted* - a classic example of "Salience Bias" that cloud people's judgement - and refuse to accept the reasoning despite knowing what is computed is the actual truth.
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:53 pm]
I see aunties waste time in queue for less so maybe
G, [14/5/2025 3:53 pm]
As shared previously, govt needs to do its utmost to reduce transport costs. Transport costs contribute significantly to costs of doing business
COE, fuel duties etc all contribute to business costs
Transport company top up fuel, need to pay fuel price (which already incorporates the duties levied), then on top of that, still need to pay gst on the fuel price.. so essentially, paying tax on the duty.
All this extra transport costs add up:
e.g. tau pok costs more to the hawker not just because actual raw material cost more, but also because cost of transporting the taupok from the factory to the hawker stall costs more.. So when the minister say hawker price increase because ingredient cost increase, it very conveniently omitted that it's the govt that also contributed to that cost increase thru the duties imposed on fuel
365, [14/5/2025 3:54 pm]
Let me reframe my words then, the intention of the vouchers such as cdc and gst vouchers are meant to be a redistribution. While the income sources are still derived from various taxation, the intents of these programme are not, and not meant to, align with those who have served ns, and thus doesn't correlate well with this topic.
There are other programmes such as ns credit which intentions are to acknowledge the contributions of our nsmen and nsf. Whether this is sufficient or not, is another topic. We always want more.
365, [14/5/2025 3:55 pm]
Someone would have to fact check this as I do not have the answer to it
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:55 pm]
Yes redistribution. Im arguing that people who served should get a greater piece of the redistribution
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:56 pm]
Im talking a hypothetical. You cant fact check
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:57 pm]
Most would not serve ns willingly if they had the choice
365, [14/5/2025 3:58 pm]
This would fall more towards acknowledgment and appreciation of service. Redistribution is meant to help the lower income group keep pace with the rest. Yes, I agree that those who have served should be recognized and rewarded for their efforts, but this should come under a separate programme, for ease of administration amongst other matters. Whether they are sufficiently appreciated or not is another topic for debate.
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:58 pm]
Im pretty sure you can pull some statistics that nsmen earn less than non serving peers at same age
Adam, [14/5/2025 3:59 pm]
Redistribution makes sense
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:01 pm]
So you think the current method of redistribution is good? Dinks get the same amount as big family in household gst voucher
365, [14/5/2025 4:01 pm]
And what if they don't? There are those who have served, who earn more as well.
That's why there's different programmes with different intentions, meant to target different groups of people. It is not only an administrative nightmare, but also wildly inefficient to assess every person one by one all under a single programme.
G, [14/5/2025 4:01 pm]
NS credits to CPF already exist
Also nowadays have those milestone monetary NS rewards
365, [14/5/2025 4:01 pm]
They could have taken household size into consideration, yes I agree on this part.
G, [14/5/2025 4:02 pm]
Difficult to use NS to ask for redistribution to alleviate COL concerns
365, [14/5/2025 4:02 pm]
Especially when they are trying to encourage more childbirth, you don't want to make staying single or not having kids even more attractive than it already seem to be.
365, [14/5/2025 4:03 pm]
And I say this as someone benefitting from the current format, as I choose (well maybe some parts by others) to remain single.
G, [14/5/2025 4:03 pm]
As citizens, it's better not to ask for more handouts from govt.
G, [14/5/2025 4:04 pm]
It's better to ask why this govt is continuing to spend our tax money the way they keep doing until need to raise taxes
G, [14/5/2025 4:04 pm]
Because every tax increase affects prices negatively
G, [14/5/2025 4:04 pm]
Higher prices = higher COL
G, [14/5/2025 4:05 pm]
And the common knowledge goes:
vouchers are temporary, cost increases / taxes are permanent
365, [14/5/2025 4:06 pm]
You have to factor in the very high level of global inflation into account when they are raising gst also. The gst increase is very minimal, doing the math myself, my COL increased at a much slower pace than global inflation levels, and the 2% additional gst I've paid is much lesser than what I've actually gotten in return.
G, [14/5/2025 4:07 pm]
How do you know you'll keep getting "something in return"?
365, [14/5/2025 4:08 pm]
The 2% additional gst I've paid, is less than all the vouchers I've gotten in return. So monetarily, it's already net positive. And there are also considerations on what else they have invested into that can benefit me indirectly not accounted for.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:09 pm]
Add to that, i think lots of places are gonna take into account all these vouchers on their prices. Just like skillsfuture.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:09 pm]
Now got some arts voucher
365, [14/5/2025 4:10 pm]
Just to put up some numbers, the additional gst I would have to pay is around $22 per month. And even this is overstated because I'm calculating based on my COL, which also includes non-gst components.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:11 pm]
Overall col is probably more than gst. I think most is because of rent
G, [14/5/2025 4:11 pm]
Indeed. Any profit maximising business will want a slice of that govt handout. Why wouldn't they?
RY, [14/5/2025 4:13 pm]
Beside the new Cultural Voucher announced in 2025 SG budget
I noticed that SG do not have special price entry tickets for handicapped people, where most developed western countries extend this privilege/special pricing to this grp of handicapped people
In SG, only child/student/elderly have concession, but not extended to people with special needs
Eg People with intellectual disability adults, they require to pay normal adult price for entry to place of interests/museums/cinemas n etc
So far, I only see public transport concession extended to handicapped/people with special needs adults
In fact, NCSS has this DDR card for people with special needs
But individual family with handicapped members have to apply separately with the Authority
Maybe Govt may also implement the DDR card nationwide for people with special needs to those non-profit orgns eg MINDs/Deaf/Autism/Blind/paralysed n etc
Bec if the pax is born with disability, it may follow them for lifetime
If they have this DDR card issued by the Authority, then they may also enjoy concession pricing to maybe healthcare/place of interest eg museum/entertainment eg cinemas/public transport n etc
This is also part of SG Govt promise to take care the vulnerable handicapped and be an inclusive society
365, [14/5/2025 4:13 pm]
Have you also taken global inflation rate into account? To me that is the biggest contributing factor for the past few years
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:14 pm]
Funny how some people were praising non protectionist tax policies, but the vouchers gov give is somewhat protectionist and is funding unsustainable businesses
G, [14/5/2025 4:14 pm]
Much of it is fuel costs too.
Remember during early covid years? Fuel prices dropped so much.. But this govt introduced more duties on fuel to keep prices inflated
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:15 pm]
Tbf, it would make sense if the duties were used to subsidize fuel when times are tough but....
G, [14/5/2025 4:16 pm]
"MP Xie Yao Quan (PAP-Jurong) then asked whether the Government could consider reducing fuel duties on diesel, highlighting that it is used by vehicles that move Singapore's supply chain and deliver essential goods and services.
"Whether it is diesel or petrol, fuel duties, aside from the issue of who benefits, also has an important externality consideration," Mr Wong responded, saying that he risked sounding like a "broken record"."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/fuel-price-subsidy-petrol-pump-prices-road-tax-rebate-lawrence-wong-2606276
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:16 pm]
Why do they always give vague answers
365, [14/5/2025 4:16 pm]
To reach an equilibrium with foreign competitors, you can either shut down foreign competition (protectionist) or boost local consumption (investment). It's 2 concepts trying to achieve the same goal, with different results.
REACH Singapore, [14/5/2025 4:16 pm]
📢Topic📢
G, [14/5/2025 4:17 pm]
"Fuel duties collected averaged S$920 million a year over the last five years, and revenue from these duties and taxes adds to the pool of resources available for various programmes and subsidies that "directly benefit" Singaporeans, he said."
How much of this $920mil per year could've been reduced so that cost of business and cost of living can be lowered?
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:17 pm]
Do both at the same time
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:18 pm]
If they reduce it is almost certain the savings will go to businessowners pockets, not end consumers
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:18 pm]
I will use trump quote make Singaporean great again
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:19 pm]
And let foreigners beg Singaporean. In trump tone
365, [14/5/2025 4:19 pm]
Their downsides are different, that's why we only adopt one of them. Looks at what protectionism did to the US. Farmers lost their sales, their people wouldn't have been able to get electronics if Trump had insisted on the tariffs for electronics.
G, [14/5/2025 4:19 pm]
Why give business owners more excuse to charge higher prices to consumers in the first place?
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:20 pm]
Can CDC vouchers use in farmse
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:21 pm]
Weekend farm
365, [14/5/2025 4:21 pm]
There's 1 thing for sure, the world can do without Singapore, but Singapore cannot do without the world.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:21 pm]
Weekend farm?
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:21 pm]
The sungei tengah farms
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:21 pm]
They sell vegetables
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:21 pm]
I wonder the vouchers can be used
365, [14/5/2025 4:22 pm]
Even if we were to support them, they also can't supply the entire sg by themselves, the other downside of protectionist measures.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:22 pm]
Do people go direct to farm for personal groceries?
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:22 pm]
Saying about this our local produce is more expensive than imports
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:23 pm]
I do
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:23 pm]
It's fresher thou
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:23 pm]
I didnt know they sold there. Is the price competitive to wet market?
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:23 pm]
I should try
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:24 pm]
Slightly more expensive but quality good
365, [14/5/2025 4:24 pm]
There's a lot of supplies we get from other countries. Some of which we won't have the capabilities to produce locally (just think of computer chips, but there's so much more). Thus, we cannot use protectionist measures and isolate ourselves.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:24 pm]
I see singapore farm cant beat foreign produce in price at supermarket
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:25 pm]
Yes which cause consumer to buy lesser from local produce
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:25 pm]
And farmers don't get high salary
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:25 pm]
And nobody wants to farm
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:25 pm]
And we have less local produce
365, [14/5/2025 4:25 pm]
Our land area is limited, thus expensive. Limited land area also means they cannot make use of economy of scales, meaning they can't produce large batch and reduce cost per output.
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:25 pm]
I dont expect farmers these days to toil the fields.
365, [14/5/2025 4:26 pm]
Limited land area really constricts Singapore in many ways
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:26 pm]
Sg farmers i assume is mostly mechanised and high tech
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:26 pm]
We can explore underground to grow mushrooms since they no need sunlight
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:27 pm]
I wonder can we even meet the 30 by 30 vision
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:27 pm]
Only a matter of time before the gov gets us all to eat bugs
365, [14/5/2025 4:27 pm]
And if we want to isolate ourselves from the world, it'll accelerate this even faster
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:28 pm]
Even bugs not enough for the population lol
365, [14/5/2025 4:28 pm]
The bugs thing I think they are just exploring alternatives, just in case the world really turns into shit
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:28 pm]
Maybe instead of money vouchers, they give us food ration coupon
365, [14/5/2025 4:28 pm]
Extreme times call for extreme measures, this is just preparation for extreme times
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:29 pm]
The world is getting worse and worse lah
365, [14/5/2025 4:29 pm]
Like insurance, good to have, but hope you won't have to use it
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:29 pm]
Technically, many of us eat hyperprocessed bugs. Like one red food coloring is bug extract
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:29 pm]
Talking about insurance I feel like I should stop buying some
365, [14/5/2025 4:29 pm]
And technically crustaceans are just sea bugs
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:30 pm]
I heard bugs taste like prawn if you remove the shell
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:30 pm]
Haven't tried before as I am vegetarian
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:30 pm]
Maybe we just need to shell bugs like turning brown rice to white
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:31 pm]
Maybe we should build high rise farm city
365, [14/5/2025 4:31 pm]
Imagine the reaction to someone suggesting eating prawns, if it is not a common thing now
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:32 pm]
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AM1cKcLhY/
Adam, [14/5/2025 4:32 pm]
Prawns taste bad if you eat it with the shell whole
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 4:33 pm]
*Why GST hike is the best way to raise tax as compared to other form of taxes?*
1. GST tax is broad base - not specifically target a narrow segment of the population eg. :-
a. Wealth Tax - target ultra rich - they leave - all upper, middle and lower pay even higher taxes to compensate.
b. Personal Tax - target all working people - shrinking working young people, cannot tahan, demoralise working people and burden younger working people.
c. Corporate Tax - targert business - business leave, job loss to Singaporeans workers.
2. GST in Singapore context is not regressive unlike in overseas Countries - because Government introduce GST tax redistribution through vouchers, and is a "PERMANENT FEATURE" as long as people pay GST tax.
90% (based on ground experience), Government say 80% based on statistics collected - of the entire strata of the population "Benefitted" from the GST redistribution.
The people who actually pay the GST tax are the ultra rich.
(Because, ultra rich buy very expensive and luxurious products and services and hence pay more GST.
Even though ultra rich receive CDC vouchers etc - they don't use it in neighbourhood food stall or supermarket).
3. Ultra rich don't feel they are specifically targeted for tax - and hence leave.
In fact they willingliy pay for products and services they buy no matter how expensive - as the GST hike of 2% is peanuts to them - and the ultra rich willingly pay for them and enjoy the goods and services they buy.
4. All strate of the population feels that they also benefitted from the GST tax redistribution and no one is left out (an inclusive tax rebate policy).
Because ultra rich, upper, middle, lower - also get GST voucher, CDC rebate, SG60, medisave rebate etc --- no one left behind.
5. Hence GST policy is a good and effective tax - that can ensure our fiscal budget remains healthy, incur no debt and is a responsible tax regime --- and most important "NOT REGRESSIVE" as coin by the oppositions.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 4:33 pm]
Time to own a house and be single
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 4:50 pm]
*Can we stop increasing our spendings and kept it stagnant for many many years?*
1. Laypeople often get the impression that our household spendings, our expenses can be kept constant without the need to increase the spendings years after year
And extrapolate this to National Spendings, spendings can be kept stagnant and don't increase.
2. This is devoid of understandings of Funadamental Economics and devoid of basic common sense.
3. Let us talk about our household spendings.
4. During 1970s when we are young - individuals spend very little, only go to schools, eat in canteen, buy enough as a kid - probably $200 to $300 a month enough.
5. When become adult and start to work, need to take transport, eat outside, buy shirts and gadgets, then spendings need $1,200 a month.
Spendings has increasd from $300 to $1,200 a month.
It can't be stagnant because spendings circumstances change.
6. When get married, need to finance house and feed a family of a couple, 2 persons, spendings will be $2,500 to $2,800 increase from $1,200 a month.
7. When kids arriive, baby pampers, milk, etc will come in and the expenses will say need $3,000 to $3,200 etc.
8. So everyone knows spendings won't be stagnant as life changes, demands changes, spendings needs will increase.
We cannot be always keeping our spendings stagnant in the 1960s, 1970s - because salaries increase every year, inflation increase every year, spendings needs changes every year.
It is a fallacy that we can keep spendings constant and don't change.
9. Likewise if we extrapolate it to National Spendings, needs and wants in 1960s, 70s, 80s etc to 2025 and beyond - spendings need to increase because :-
a. Salaries need to increase
b. Inflation increases
c. Spendings needs increase - more young people to more elderlies
d. Economic transformation changes from port to manufacturing to R&D to AI, to military spendings, to healthcare for more elderlies, to social spendings, to support business trasnformation, to reskill workers etc.
10. That is, in 2025, we can't be living like 1960s still wearing singlets, shorts, click klock and stay in kampung.
Can we?
Joomua Tng, [14/5/2025 4:53 pm]
not possible.
inflation will means the spending will increase... inflation is outside of the control of circle for Singapore government (be it PAP or other parties taking over)
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:02 pm]
But our salary doesn't keep up with inflation
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:02 pm]
This is why we complain
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:03 pm]
If salary goes up with the same rate of inflation I think there's no issue
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:03 pm]
Gov will not give cdc voucher
365, [14/5/2025 5:04 pm]
How much of salary increment should be the responsibility of the government, and how much should be personal responsibility?
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 5:04 pm]
Salary may not catch up for some.
But for others they do.
So need to constantly reskill to make our skillset relevant and valuable, then go for higher income jobs.
Some people not only gain income from salary but also invest in passive income.
Hence overall the income+ salary in total will be higher than inflation.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:05 pm]
Or maybe the world salary doesn't keep up with inflation. Might be some capitalist manipulate to make us suffer
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:05 pm]
Reskill does not equate to higher salary
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:06 pm]
Investment if someone gain there will be someone who loss
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:06 pm]
This is why people hate the rich
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 5:07 pm]
Also GST vouchers rebate etc more than cover the inflation+ GST hike - which I illustrated time and again.
But look like it doesn't registered into people's minds - so sad about "Salience bias".
People only see what they want to see and filtered out the rest that established the Whole Truth.
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 5:07 pm]
I don't hate the rich.
I work hard and smart to become rich.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:08 pm]
gst vouchers rebate to cover inflation to a certain extend. But on the ground people feel the pain
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:09 pm]
It's not about gst but the inflation
LCL (Danny 心), [14/5/2025 5:09 pm]
This is Loss Aversion and Salience Bias - perceived pain, not real pain.
Because of selective listening not real listening.
No amount of effort to communicate and explain will people accept if they don't want to accept.
365, [14/5/2025 5:10 pm]
And the inflation is not entirely within control of the government, especially a small nation such as sg, we have very little influence on the world stage, so we can only take the inflation thrown at us and try our best to navigate through it.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:11 pm]
My waffle has increased 100% in price over 5 years does my salary increase 100%
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:11 pm]
Everything has thrown to inflation but where is the breakdown of cost of each raw material
Hanny, [14/5/2025 5:12 pm]
We are living in a turbulent time. We are lucky that gov has money and it can help.
Moving forward, we need to reskill to keep our selves relevant.
AI has just started to show its baby teeth.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:12 pm]
Which raw material has increased and is there any discussion to bring down the price of that raw material
365, [14/5/2025 5:12 pm]
Is your waffle representative of the actual inflation rate? On the other hand, the caifan near me has practically not raised prices for the past 5 years, does this mean I can say there's no inflation then?
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:13 pm]
So there's inequal inflation
Hanny, [14/5/2025 5:13 pm]
As consumers, we are lucky that sgd is quite strong compared to regional currencies. Hence reducing inflationary pressure.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:13 pm]
What o want is a breakdown why certain food prices has increased drastically but certain food have not
365, [14/5/2025 5:13 pm]
Amongst various factors, yes. Individual business decisions also affect prices.
RY, [14/5/2025 5:13 pm]
With the recent SG Budget increasing the caregiving grant, to recognise family with caregiving role to handicapped and elderly family members
Glad to know Ntuc has also started the UCare Caregiving Grant this year, in conjunction with the latest SG Budget announcement
However it seems that their focus is only for family with child whom attend special needs SPED schools mainly
Wondering what about those special needs adults, whose caregiving role also include handicapped child whom grow up to be special needs adults ... since they dont remain as child forever ....
As the disability and handicapped will mostly follow them lifetime, when these special needs child eventually grow up to be adults later
And family caregiving role to these grp of handicapped family members will also be lifetime, from born to child to adult too
Wondering why these grant only applicable to special needs child and not to special needs adults ?
In fact family with special needs family members, their caregiving role is much "heavier" than normal family, and usually most caregivers unable to work full-time
SG Govt Blueprint has Enabling SG, and it should recognise the caregiving role to both parents/siblings, and not only to parents, as some responsible siblings also help to take care of their handicapped siblings also
Hopefully SG govt/Cooperative like Ntuc may extend caregiving grant to family with special needs adults sametime and not only to special needs child
Usually this grp of special needs adults are difficult to find/get employment eg intellectual disability. Even if can get employment, their pay maybe minimum also
And family with special needs child/adults, also have to cope with COL, sametime caregiving role for them lifetime
SG govt may also consider more healthcare subsidy to these grp of special needs people eg more medical/premiums subsidy granted to them, as these grp usually require more medical expenses/attention than normal family/people
Hopefully also more insurance coverage to these special needs people, since some insurance companies may likely reject coverage for these grp of people, except national insurance eg medishield/careshield
Especially these people belongs to vulnerable handicapped that Govt/Insurance/Cooperative should render more assistance, besides low income and elderly families
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:15 pm]
Both are food and flour certainly. But what is the main cause if there's inflation why certain food inflate so much and why certain food stays the same
G, [14/5/2025 5:15 pm]
Sometime it's ownself snook ownself.
When Singtel anyhow bid big for football rights in the 00s, it signalled to the world that SG is rich and got a lot of disposable income.
Other industries definitely took note. Pharma companies charge SG a much higher price for the same drugs as compared to neighbouring countries
So I don't believe that SG is as much a "price taker" as many make us out to be
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:15 pm]
What are the measures to prevent such food for inflating so much
365, [14/5/2025 5:16 pm]
Regardless of underlying factors, the truth is that business will either drop prices or drop out of the competition if customers are not buying. If they can still sustain their business while you're unable to afford, then maybe you are out of their target range already. Some business try to sell more at a lower price, while others try to sell less at a higher price.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:16 pm]
I don't see that incoming. All I see is vouchers and vouchers. I don't see any research to justify the increase
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:17 pm]
I tried to Google which raw ingredients of waffles that cause the increase Google can't answer me
Joomua Tng, [14/5/2025 5:17 pm]
people are taking for granted of Singapore GDP and revenue surpluses.
Singaporeans, not all, assuming the cheese (surpluses) will always be there...
(which is why the oppositions keep saying spend more...)
365, [14/5/2025 5:18 pm]
Capitalism doesn't need business to justify increases, they will get their answers from the customer's wallet. McDonald's has increased price for a few of their $5 meals during covid, only to drop it back to $5 while disguising it as a doing-it-for-you intentions.
G, [14/5/2025 5:18 pm]
Cost of transporting the raw materials to the shop la.. all that fuel duties adds up
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:18 pm]
Then why is other food not as expensive
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:19 pm]
Inflation is a vague term. It doesn't mean anything to me. What we want is detail break down what is the real cause of each individual price increase
Hanny, [14/5/2025 5:20 pm]
World economy faces a lot of uncertainties. Jobs are becoming scarce. Big companies are on hiring freeze. This is the world we are in.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:22 pm]
No one say hey let's search for the root cause and see if we can solve the problem so the price will be kept low
Hanny, [14/5/2025 5:22 pm]
To understand inflation. We need to compare with our neighbors. Travel neighboring countries. Understand the pressure felt by locals. The easiest indicator is the crime rate. Crime is becoming more brazen.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:22 pm]
Agree I think crime rates has also increased in Singapore
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:23 pm]
Not to mention scam is all around
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:24 pm]
I think since COVID our world has been very different
Hanny, [14/5/2025 5:24 pm]
Scam is mostly syndicate. Petty crime is increasing by a lot.
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:24 pm]
Stealing robbery etc
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:24 pm]
Murder also increase
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:25 pm]
I not sure is it the increase of foreigners or what
Jun Ming, [14/5/2025 5:25 pm]
A lot people blame it to foreigners
