advice for singaporeans.
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if u study economics, you will realise that spending creates incomes which inturn creates even more spending. this is call the multipler effect.
the government acts in the interest of the national economy as a whole .
it does not take care of the individual welfare entirely.
look at all the media sources. newsapaer, televsion, maggazines, radio.
advertising is everywhere. but as you all know the produsts which we buy or consume are 99 % material goods which we won't die if we don't get it.
and in the process of continually buying them, we have to work longer, retire later.
but why does the media authority still allow mass advertising in singapore, simple because our economy needs our spending.
so wake up all singaporeans, do not follow the majority way of living.
live simply, unlearn all the cravings , wants to increase your savings.
and try to make your savings make more money. if not, just save the money to ensure earlier retirement. -
I will view savings and spendings as personal responsibilities... how does the government come into the picture?
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in system dynamics, it is the reinforce element ...
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government does not care about individual well begin.
they do not educate the public about not spending on material goods.
they do this becuase it will affect national income, and the jobs .
imagine this, if all singaporean are not spending, there will be no national income, and there will be no jobs. and so everyone will have no money.
so in the end i have no conclusion.
but i believe that spending on material good is fundamentally wrong. -
We can afford to live in $200k - $400k flats, own $60k - $100k cars, have airconditioning in most homes. We go shopping so often, it's so crowded. We eat such good food that our top 10 diseases are all "rich men disease".
I believe government is helping, but not spoon-feeding. If the government is not helping, then good luck to all of us. Live in another country before you comment. Here's what I mean:
In many countries I've been to, they are encouraged to work 2 jobs, and each job's shift is relatively short. They have strong union groups who rally against the government, thus having shorter working hours, more benefits, and more time to spend with family. The result is less pay (of course), higher taxes (50% income tax), social problems (because people have too much time on their hands, sometimes can't be bothered to look for 2nd job) and the hardworking ones become discriminated.
Not to mention that Singapore is a small island. East to West only 40km. It's normal when working in another country that you probably travel to another state to work (just like having 1 job in Woodlands, another job in JB). So, really, with the high standard of living that we have now, we shouldn't complain at all.
No system is perfect. I'd rather think of a solution than complain that our government is not efficient. Do you have a solution? -
i donno if other country system is lousy or not, i guess its about the same as singapore.
i believe most modern country operate in the same way as singapore, allowing materialism to exist in the society.
i believe in this modern era, materialism is an essential for all countries because it helps to churn out jobs and provide income.
but here comes the problem. this system helps the economy and government as a whole . it does not help individual.
all govts will continue allow advertising to bombard the country.
but i am advicing the people of singaporean that do not fall into this trap.
material goods doea not provide anything but your desire. and desire is just
based on impulse and stupidity.
free yourself from all the material goods and you will realise that your monthly bills and expenditure will drop to a level so low that your whole life will be light and easy. -
I got a better suggestion... why not move to the sea and catch fishes for a living? Live on the land instead of getting a house
Heck... I am advertising my simple way of life even....
so... I have broke the fundemental law....
This is a fundemental choice really... it is up to an individual to do what he wants with his cash... and in retrospect...if every one stop spending as you propose...and the economy drops.... what you think will happen?
Perhaps a communist way of life is your ideal? -
We are in a country where you are free to spend your money according to your purchasing power. If you are rich, you can eat at the restaurant, if you are not that rich, you can visit the food court or the hawker center.
As Singapore is a free economy (to an extent) there is no way we can control the purchasing habit of Singaporean.
We should not control mass advertisement on paper, TV and etc. Job are created in this industry. If today, the government will to stop the advertising firms from placing advertisement in the mass media, imagine how many people will be out of jobs.
Economy is not a stand-alone thing. A lot of factors will have to be taken into consideration before a decision can be made. That why, economist introduce "certis paribus". -
raise white flag ......
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double post
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some time back we have read story regard some folk bought houses in near second causeway and work in some polytechnics, they have chuaffer for the kid driven to and fro school, maid @ their bungolow house @ cost of our 4 roo m flat HDB ,Originally posted by greengoblin:I got a better suggestion... why not move to the sea and catch fishes for a living? Live on the land instead of getting a house Heck... I am advertising my simple way of life even....
so... I have broke the fundemental law....
This is a fundemental choice really... it is up to an individual to do what he wants with his cash... and in retrospect...if every one stop spending as you propose...and the economy drops.... what you think will happen?
Perhaps a communist way of life is your ideal?
but experience i learn, saving = nothing $
body gain in size, simpliy cheap & good food -
Do you spend because the Gov ask you to do so?
Do you save when the Gov says it's time to do so?
Think harder, peeps. -
Well I only work part time in australia supporting myself , my mortgage and my education with some money remaining to save . My taxes are high but I get almost free healthcare and social support if I ever need it ,just for being a permanent resident there. My university place is also subsidised heavily. In Singapore , I probably won't survive doing part time work and studying on my own at allOriginally posted by superflydmw:We can afford to live in $200k - $400k flats, own $60k - $100k cars, have airconditioning in most homes. We go shopping so often, it's so crowded. We eat such good food that our top 10 diseases are all "rich men disease".
I believe government is helping, but not spoon-feeding. If the government is not helping, then good luck to all of us. Live in another country before you comment. Here's what I mean:
In many countries I've been to, they are encouraged to work 2 jobs, and each job's shift is relatively short. They have strong union groups who rally against the government, thus having shorter working hours, more benefits, and more time to spend with family. The result is less pay (of course), higher taxes (50% income tax), social problems (because people have too much time on their hands, sometimes can't be bothered to look for 2nd job) and the hardworking ones become discriminated.
There are 101 ways to conserve on tax money and I learnt how to manipulate it . Increase spending in relation to work = tax deductions etc... Depends on the person's knowledge of tax system - it took me 3 years of trial and error .
Strong unions can be a hindrance but they are fighting for the benefits of the workers . I respect their right to a safe and supportive workplace - so I have no qualms about unions. -
Dun raise white flag so fast! Maybe Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad Poor Dad" can give u with a better idea.Originally posted by gkokm21:raise white flag ......
In that book, Mr Kiyosaki advised that the key to financial freedom and great wealth was a person's ability to convert earned income into passive income and/or portfolio income. He also hinted that we should delay our personal gratification until we achieve better financial freedom. But he too warned that we shouldn't be living like a cheap.
I do agree with u that the ruling party, with the help of the public media which it controls, has encouraged the pursuit of materialism. We have been so indoctrinated that we tend to measure success with material well being - the type of house we live in, the type of car we drive, the kind of holiday we take, etc.
However, recently the ruling party has belatedly but half-heartedly tried to educate us on the importance of financial planning. I only hope that all primary school students be taught how to manage their money asap! -
Originally posted by superflydmw:
Singapore's pretty boring. If you don't head to Orchard road or the shopping centres, what on earth else is there to do?
We go shopping so often, it's so crowded.No system is perfect. I'd rather think of a solution than complain that our government is not efficient. Do you have a solution?[/b]
How about trying to improve the existing system? Make the judicial courts impartial to the PAP, let the government be accountable by fair challenges when the authorities encroaches on fair rights. People get their houses emblocked at ridiculously low prices in the name of LTA construction work, only to see the land being redeveloped and sold at high market prices. Such practices are rather low & immoral, particularly coming from a government authority. The system needs to ensure that the people can defend themselves when the government looks to its own interests at the expense of the citizen. -
well dude, screw spartan simple living..i still want my porsche and condo.
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Agreed.We must constantly fine-tune the system...Originally posted by Diesel.Okini:How about trying to improve the existing system? Make the judicial courts impartial to the PAP, let the government be accountable by fair challenges when the authorities encroaches on fair rights. People get their houses emblocked at ridiculously low prices in the name of LTA construction work, only to see the land being redeveloped and sold at high market prices. Such practices are rather low & immoral, particularly coming from a government authority. The system needs to ensure that the people can defend themselves when the government looks to its own interests at the expense of the citizen.
Anyway, who would not want to live in Tanglin and drive a SL55 to work everyday? -
"Sheng bu dai lai, si bu dai qu"
u are born naked, and u die naked
if you dont spend now, then when u gonna do it
spend within your limit
just dont get into debts and start paying interests for nothing