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SINGAPORE : Many people from the low-income group are looking forward to the government's promise that it will review the public assistance schemes.
Those from this group are the hardest hit by the rising costs of living. And when it comes to celebrating the Lunar New Year, many have had to make adjustments when they spend.
Every dollar spent is being watched carefully.
Like other low-income families, this has become Neni Yu's lifestyle - not out of choice, but necessity.
Her husband is a taxi driver who used to earn about S$1,500 a month.
However, since the taxi fare hikes in December, fewer people are taking taxis and their household income has dropped by about 20 percent.
So this year's reunion dinner will be a simple steamboat meal of fish balls and vegetables.
New Year goodies like barbecued pork, or bak kwa, which is selling at almost S$50 a kilogramme, will be out for Neni.
Also out are New Year decorations which the family can do without.
To save money, the 37-year-old housewife made her own pineapple tarts and cookies.
She is also cutting back on mandarin oranges and hopes her friends and relatives would be giving her some.
She said, "Prices of all things have gone up so we buy less. I do part-time manicure and pedicure work. The community club helped us a lot, gave us a place to operate for free. So I can earn some pocket money."
The family is also getting about S$100 from the ComCare Assistance Fund.
Her three children, all in primary school, also receive bursaries from their school.
Neni said she is not buying New Year clothes for the children because she had just bought them new ones during Christmas.
If there is one thing Neni is not cutting back on, it is hong bao money for her children - and for good reason.
She said, "I can't cut any further. It's already very little!!"
All the scrimping and saving does not seem to affect this resilient family's spirit.
Neni said there is enough help within the community and she can seek assistance to tide her over during temporary hardships.
Meanwhile, a group of needy elderly residents got a helping hand from a group of volunteers who are all young working adults.
The volunteers pooled about S$9,000 to prepare 210 goodie bags for the elderly who are public assistance recipients.
Instead of basic necessities, they decided to spread some festive cheer with pineapple tarts, sugee and almond cookies, fish floss and oranges.
Pat Koh, a volunteer, said, "People will give rice and canned food. But this year, a group of us thought that maybe we'll should give some goodies to the elderly..."
One of the volunteers even forked out S$8,000 in cash as hong baos for the elderly.
Most of the recipients said the hong baos they received will help to ameliorate effects of the rising costs of living.
However, they said this is just a one-off, annual affair.
So many of them said that they hope that the government will raise the public assistance from the current S$290 a month.
One public assistance recipient said, 'S$200 to S$300 can't be enough. No matter how hard we scrimp and save, it's still not enough. Utilities and rental will cost about S$100, plus bread in the morning..."
Another added, "When we eat out, it's a S$2 meal, so it's at least S$6-S$7 a day..."
A third commented, "We have no money to buy new clothes. No money to buy food. Not enough to spend."
The Government has said it is reviewing the public assistance scheme, and many are hoping that the Year of the Rat will bring more good news, especially for the needy. - CNA/ms
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