Families scramble to make ends meet<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The recent fuel price increase has forced families in the capital
\nto rethink how they spend limited resources.<\/p>\n
A husband and wife in Karet, Central Jakarta, for example,
\nentered into a heated debate on Saturday on whether or not they
\nhave to axe spending for their baby's diapers in order to save
\nmoney.<\/p>\n
"I could understand if we cannot cut spending on her milk.
\nBut, the use of diapers. I don't think it really matters," the
\nhusband told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.<\/p>\n
His wife argued, however, that cutting spending on diapers
\nwould "cause our baby to wake from her sleep at night and wet the
\nspring bed."<\/p>\n
The husband thought that they would be able to save at least
\nRp 200,000 a month if they cut the purchase of two bags of
\ndiapers, each priced at Rp 100,000.<\/p>\n
"So, I will suggest we replace the expensive milk that costs
\nus Rp 700,000 monthly with a cheaper brand. But, we will be at
\nwar," Gugun, 30, told the Post.<\/p>\n
For many families of modest means like Gugun's, the Oct. 1
\nfuel price hike really deals a severe blow to their cash-strapped
\nbudgets.<\/p>\n
Widyawati, a resident of Rawabunga, East Jakarta complained
\nthat now she has to fork out Rp 60,000 from her pocket a month to
\nbuy kerosene for her stove, far higher than the Rp 25,000
\npreviously.<\/p>\n
"I don't know how to save on kerosene. Perhaps I will have to
\ncook meals that consume less kerosene. We cannot stop eating, can
\nwe?" she said.<\/p>\n
The government cut the subsidy for fuel by raising the
\nkerosene price to Rp 2,000 from Rp 700 previously. But, in
\nreality, residents have to pay between Rp 4,000 and Rp 5,000.<\/p>\n
The fuel price increase not only deals a severe blow to the
\npoor but also to the middle class since the government has also
\nraised the price of Premium gasoline to Rp 4,500 from Rp 2,500.<\/p>\n
"I will leave my car at home. Instead, I will use a motorcycle
\nto go to my office," said Irwanto, a resident of Bumi Serpong
\nDamai in Tangerang.<\/p>\n
"I will also consider asking for a lift from friends who are
\ngoing to the same direction with me to save transportation
\nspending if necessary," he said.<\/p>\n
Onny, a resident of Pulogebang, who is renovating his home,
\ndecided to stop hiring the three workers who were helping him.<\/p>\n
"I can't afford to employ the three workers helping me to
\nrenovate my home. I have to spend at least Rp 45,000 for each of
\nthem per day," he said.<\/p>\n
He complained that the prices of materials have soared
\nrecently as shops had already anticipated the fuel price
\nincreases.<\/p>\n
"A bag of cement is now being sold for Rp 38,000 from Rp
\n34,500 previously," he said.<\/p>\n
A truck of sand, he said, also jumped to between Rp 1 million
\nto Rp 1.4 million from Rp 800,000 previously.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/families-scramble-to-make-ends-meet-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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