But why so GREEDY and OVERCHARGE to begin with?
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Jan 25, 2009
LOW-INCOME SINGAPOREAN
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Rental waiver helps free up some cash
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
</TD><TD vAlign=bottom>
Retiree Lim Kok Khom and his mother Tan Swee Lian live in a two-room rental flat in Toa Payoh. His nine siblings chip in to support them. The Budget's rental waiver would leave them with extra cash for daily use or medical bills. -- PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>
View more photos
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Mr Lim Kok Khom, 60, quit his plumbing job 15 years ago to take care of his aged parents when his late father had a stroke.
He now lives with his 83-year-old mother, Madam Tan Swee Lian, who suffers from asthma, in a two-room rental flat in Toa Payoh.
The bachelor and his mother spend about $300 on food, $150 on utilities and $47 on rental each month, in addition to other expenses.
His nine siblings chip in to support them.
What's for reunion dinner this year?
My seven brothers and their families will be gathering at our flat for dinner, as we do every year.
One of my sisters-in-law will cook for the whole family. It will be a simple meal of fish, chicken and vegetables. There will be abalone but maybe a can or two fewer than last year.
What was for reunion dinner last year?
About the same.
It's hard to reduce the portions when you have so many people for dinner.
How was the Year of the Rat for you and your family?
It was a difficult year as prices of things kept going up and even now, when the economy is slow, the prices are not coming down.
Also, my mother had to go to the clinic for her asthma at least four times a month and we are spending $500 a month on her medication.
What is your biggest fear for the Year of the Ox?
That the prices of daily necessities like food will keep rising. My siblings chip in whatever amounts they can to support us as taking care of my mother is my full-time job now. I can't ask them for more money as they have their own jobs and families to worry about.
We are not on any public assistance schemes as there is too much paperwork involved, but we may have to look into that if the crisis gets worse.
How did the Budget help you?
The rental waiver for two-room flats would help free up some cash that we can spend on daily use or medical bills.
Any wish list?
I have nothing in particular to ask for. There is very little our Government can do as the crisis is a global one. At least our Government has large reserves.
Other than that, I hope to be healthy, because the better you take care of yourself, the less you have to rely on others to take care of you.
<HR width="50%" SIZE=1>
Cost of living remains high
'It was a difficult year as prices of things kept going up and even now, when the economy is slow, the prices are not coming down.'
MR LIM KOK KHOM, 60
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Jan 25, 2009
LOW-INCOME SINGAPOREAN
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Rental waiver helps free up some cash
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Retiree Lim Kok Khom and his mother Tan Swee Lian live in a two-room rental flat in Toa Payoh. His nine siblings chip in to support them. The Budget's rental waiver would leave them with extra cash for daily use or medical bills. -- PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Mr Lim Kok Khom, 60, quit his plumbing job 15 years ago to take care of his aged parents when his late father had a stroke.
He now lives with his 83-year-old mother, Madam Tan Swee Lian, who suffers from asthma, in a two-room rental flat in Toa Payoh.
The bachelor and his mother spend about $300 on food, $150 on utilities and $47 on rental each month, in addition to other expenses.
His nine siblings chip in to support them.
What's for reunion dinner this year?
My seven brothers and their families will be gathering at our flat for dinner, as we do every year.
One of my sisters-in-law will cook for the whole family. It will be a simple meal of fish, chicken and vegetables. There will be abalone but maybe a can or two fewer than last year.
What was for reunion dinner last year?
About the same.
It's hard to reduce the portions when you have so many people for dinner.
How was the Year of the Rat for you and your family?
It was a difficult year as prices of things kept going up and even now, when the economy is slow, the prices are not coming down.
Also, my mother had to go to the clinic for her asthma at least four times a month and we are spending $500 a month on her medication.
What is your biggest fear for the Year of the Ox?
That the prices of daily necessities like food will keep rising. My siblings chip in whatever amounts they can to support us as taking care of my mother is my full-time job now. I can't ask them for more money as they have their own jobs and families to worry about.
We are not on any public assistance schemes as there is too much paperwork involved, but we may have to look into that if the crisis gets worse.
How did the Budget help you?
The rental waiver for two-room flats would help free up some cash that we can spend on daily use or medical bills.
Any wish list?
I have nothing in particular to ask for. There is very little our Government can do as the crisis is a global one. At least our Government has large reserves.
Other than that, I hope to be healthy, because the better you take care of yourself, the less you have to rely on others to take care of you.
<HR width="50%" SIZE=1>
Cost of living remains high
'It was a difficult year as prices of things kept going up and even now, when the economy is slow, the prices are not coming down.'
MR LIM KOK KHOM, 60
