Inflation And Increased GST: How Real Mums Are Coping

Remember just a few years ago when a carton of eggs used to cost $1.70? These days, when I scan through the prices of eggs in the supermarket, I see that the prices have doubled. 

The cost has risen so much that some days I find myself gravitating towards eggs in “flimsier” plastic cartons just to save 40 cents. “I’ll just be extra careful, and who needs pretty pictures on a carton anyway, eh?” I say to my husband.

While some of us have been able to blissfully ignore “negligible” cents here and there in the last few years, it is hard not to finally feel the pinch when Singapore entered the brand new year with a brand new GST rate of 9 per cent. Ouch.

Parents are particularly hard-hit at the start of every school year when there are school textbooks and uniforms to be purchased, tuition classes to be paid for and pocket money to dish out every day. We talk to five mothers who share how their families are coping with the inflation.

1. Holding off on family holidays and property upgrades 

“We’ve noticed that food prices in restaurants are all starting to go up and supermarkets are having fewer offers, perhaps to deal with rising costs. With this in mind, we’ve decided to put holidays on pause for the year. Initially, we were planning for a trip to Japan or Australia, but we’re scrapping it entirely for now and this can save our family of four up to $10,000 this year. 

We also had plans to upgrade from our current 4-room BTO in Tampines to a private property in 2025, but we feel it might be more financially prudent to postpone this to 2026 or even 2027. Upgrading properties incurs a lot of expenses, such as renovation, and we just want to be cautious with such a big financial decision. It’s better to spend the next few years saving up instead.”

– Claire Tan, 31, marketing consultant and mummy to a newborn and a three-year-old 

2. Making an effort to reduce spending in the little things

“The biscuits my daughter loves used to be $2 per packet, and now it is almost $5! My family and I have minimised the use of Grab, as well as shopping and eating out unnecessarily. These small daily efforts have helped save us about $100 to $200 each month. I’m a little worried, but also thinking of ways to earn more. Perhaps freelancing where I can?”

– Lim Yi Ling, 35, designer and mummy to two kids aged eight and four

3. Having a healthier mindset towards material goods   

“We knew inflation was coming, so my husband and I have been trying to instill in our kids (and ourselves) that it is okay to not have “more”, be it a Celine handbag, handsome pair of Birkenstocks or the trendiest toys. We also try not to be influenced by other family’s luxurious holidays, and to encourage spending within our means. This is a constant work in progress.

We do weekend family activities that don’t cost much, like hiking, cycling, going to free waterparks, and doing picnics. We save paid ones for special occasions. We’re also putting luxurious family vacations on hold. For now, it’s simple vacations to nearby countries, or solo trips (I have a supportive partner who believes mums deserve me-time!) where the cost is cut down considerably.

My hobbies, including bouldering and mountain climbing, can be expensive, so I try to save where I can by taking public transport and cutting down on suppers with friends.”

– Hanah Ayob, 33, senior research associate and mummy to two kids aged five and six 

4. Using credit card promos and vouchers where possible 

“Prices have gone up almost everywhere, down to the food that my son buys in his primary school. To counter this, we try to be more savvy by shopping around or comparing prices between retailers before making our purchases. We also make use of credit card promos and vouchers to help us offset what we spend – especially for weekly groceries. We’ve saved anywhere from $5 to $50.

We spend the most on our younger children's preschool fees and oldest's enrichment classes. Unfortunately we can't cut down much in this area. However, for things like enrichment, we do ask our children about their interests before making any commitments to extra lessons. 

My family and I also try to ensure less food wastage, so that we do not ‘throw’ money down the bin.”

– Ellie Lee, 33, communications specialist and mummy to three kids aged two to eight  

5. Postponing plans to get a family car

“Although we have not really felt the pinch, we are taking active steps to reduce spending. We used to splurge on restaurants, activities for kids, and massages but have reduced the frequency of such wants and treats. 

We also make the effort to find cheaper alternatives for what we purchase, be it through discounts or bundle promotions, or ensuring what we purchase are value for money. These changes can save us up to $400 a month.

We were also planning to get a family car – even a second-hand one – but the plan has been put on hold as we are moving to a 5-room HDB BTO flat this year. We are prioritising expenses for the upcoming renovation and home furnishings instead.

– Mariah Lehman, 40, assistant manager and mummy to two children, aged seven and four