'All we can do is tighten our belts'
Recent fuel price rises have led to increases in the prices of other services and commodities, which has considerably reduced people's purchasing power. The Jakarta Post asked residents how they are making ends meet.
Nur Arifin, 35, is a Blue Bird taxi driver from the Pondok Cabe pool in East Jakarta. He lives with his wife and two children in Pamulang in North Jakarta:
Whenever my wife complains about our finances, I tell her she has to be patient and bear it, because it's not like we are the only ones. Other people like us are also feeling the pinch.
What else can we do but tighten our belts? If we used to be able to afford to eat chicken every two days, now we have to be content eating chicken every four days.
And instead of using the washing machine, I've told my wife I will help her wash and wring the laundry by hand. Those are just some of the things that will help us get through.
It's a good thing that my house is paid for, that's one less thing on my mind. But I still have to think about the monthly installments on my motorcycle.
There are fewer taxi passengers these days, so they must also be watching their budgets. In my experience, whenever taxis increase their fares there is a transition period of about three months when passengers are especially scarce.
During these times, my company gives cash incentives to drivers who meet daily earnings targets. This makes us work even harder.
Aji, 25, is a resident of Karet Tengsin subdistrict, Central Jakarta. He works as a shop attendant on Jl. Casablanca in South Jakarta:
Unlike other workers, I am not affected too much by the recent fuel price increases, particularly for my daily transportation costs because my house is close to my work. I only spend about Rp 5,000 (49 US cents) a day for transportation from my house to work.
I don't go out with my friends after work as much to places like Blok M, Glodok and Senen. Now it's only once or twice a week.
I don't spend much money when I hang out with my friends, just for snacks and soft drinks from street vendors. We usually just talk and watch the people walk past for hours.
So, if I don't go out as much as before I can save more because my salary is the same.
-- The Jakarta Post