Top image: Shiva Bharathi Gupta / RICE file photo.
There is no need to say that prices are high now. Within a day or two, you will already be billed for gas and electricity, which may be higher than before.
Inflation is painful. Even small things like the GST hike, the never-ending Grab hike, the $5.50 Kai Fan can erode the moments when we no longer feel overwhelmed by everything. But it’s not always doom and gloom.
We wanted to ask Singaporeans what they feel has actually gotten cheaper in recent years. What common consumer necessities were once considered luxuries? Surprisingly, there’s value in appreciating what we already have now.
“In my opinion, the one thing that looks cheaper today than it used to be is probably travel.
There is now a wide range of low-cost airlines and a vast array of low-cost accommodation options for everyone. I think it’s now much cheaper for people to be able to book quick, low-budget trips whenever they want.
I don’t remember ever having as many choices as I do today. I remember traveling abroad seemed like a big investment at the time. For me, planning a family vacation seemed almost impossible as it would burn a huge hole in my pocket. But thanks to low-cost airlines, cheap tour packages, and cheap accommodation, we can now save up enough money to book a cheap family vacation without much worry or guilt. ”
– Andrea, 30 years old
“In my case, I can now access ‘cheaper’ alternatives using apps like Shopee and SHEIN instead of cheaper ones. There you can buy everyday items at much cheaper prices thanks to discounts, coupons and online sales. Back then, we had to get tables and chairs from the usual places (IKEA, courthouse, etc.). But now, thanks to these apps, you can easily find cheaper options.
Especially when I moved early last year, I left a lot of stuff behind in my old rental room. Then I bought a new one and replaced it. Most of my stuff was purchased from Shopee or SHEIN. They probably buy their products directly from the manufacturer. Perhaps that’s why it’s cheap. ”
– Jessica, 24 years old
“For example, sushi at a sushi-tei used to be very important because you would say, ‘Wow, sushi!’ Japanese food! Raw fish!’ Back then, NTUC Fairprice sold small boxes of sushi. When Don Don Don Ki came to Singapore, they were mainly cucumber, egg and crab meat rolls because they were the cheapest to make and the easiest to sell. The fish market was charging $10 for a box of salmon sushi. Donki currently sells it for $8.90.
In terms of value, sushi has definitely improved. Instead of paying about $1.50 per plate for salmon sushi at Sushi Express, when it contains only a small amount of fish of questionable quality, at Sushiro he can get a thick, fresh salmon fillet for sushi for $2.30 and get his hands on a thick, fresh salmon fillet for sushi. Enter. ”
– Zhe Rong, 26 years old
“The short answer is entertainment. No matter how affordable (and super fast) the internet is today, you can listen to new music and watch new TV shows for $10 or more a month. Long answer. is that entertainment is cheap and accessible, but at the same time consumer ownership is being lost. We pay subscription fees for access, but we don’t actually own these shows or albums. I don’t own it.
For older generations, this is a godsend. I’m old enough to remember that to buy a DVD box set of a TV show you wanted to watch, you could either pay $60 to $80 or wait for it to air on Channel 5. . Sometimes they were censored.
The truth is that Po Kim was the king of selling serials in Hong Kong and China! It was HMV where you can find the season. simpsons or friend. But now you can watch most of these at your convenience and at a much more affordable price with Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime. Please note, if these streaming platforms decide to remove these shows, you will no longer have access to them.
So even though it’s cheaper now, it’s a give-and-take situation. Watch it while you can, but when it’s gone, it’s gone. And those subscription prices are definitely going up. One silver lining is that those expensive box sets are now being sold for cheap on Carousel…and so are Blu-ray players!”
– William, 34 years old
“When you think about it, it’s crazy that almost everyone has a 4K TV in their home these days. About 10 years ago, we were still watching shows and movies on flimsy 32-inch LCD screens. I did.
Nowadays, you’d be hard-pressed to find a home that doesn’t have a giant smart TV in the living room. We can thank brands like Xiaomi, TCL, and Prism+ for ushering in an era where everyone can afford it.
That being said, the longevity of these cheap TVs is questionable. Some friends who bought it say that at most it will last only 2-3 years. Everything seems to go bad after a while. But hey, at least it’s enough time to save up for something with better visual quality in the future. ”
– Devi, 32 years old
“Before, you could only buy soju at stores like Shine Korea, and it was exorbitantly priced. Later, it started appearing at 7-Eleven and Cheers. If you were lucky, you could get a bargain during a sale. Sometimes.
But society is now evolving. My Mama Shop sells shochu and strong zero cheaper than any other chain. It’s a big win for us. ”
– Nigel, 30 years old
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