Housewives scrimp and save amid crisis

By Emmy Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): Economic recession is not a common expression in housewives' conversations. Housewives from low- to high-income groups say they are used to managing limited funds, but do say they are trying harder now.

Sandra Hugo, not her real name, who lives in Pondok Hijau, South Jakarta, is one who says she has felt the effect of the recession.

"I used to shop once a month for daily needs at a Hero supermarket, coming out with two or three carts. But I don't think I can shop like that anymore," she said. Now, she added, she only has one cart full when she shops for groceries.

Sandra said she usually spends more than Rp 3 million per month for all her household needs.

"I only live with my husband and my housemaids, so I don't spend that much on our daily consumption," she said, adding that the monthly budget for food supplies was mostly set aside to entertain friends and colleagues of her expatriate husband.

She said prices at Hero have gone up. "You don't immediately notice the difference of Rp 50 or Rp 200 for groceries."

A secretary and the mother of an infant said milk prices have gone up 17 percent. "I spend Rp 100,000 and get barely anything," she said, annoyed.

Kasima, a resident of Kalimalang, East Jakarta, said she knew that prices were rising but said she was ignorant as to whether it was caused by the recession.

"Whatever amount I get from my husband, I'm used to allocating to the regular bills like electricity and telephone bills, and the children's pocket money and daily consumption."

The mother of four said it was nearly impossible to reduce expenses. "There are often unexpected needs, like invitations to weddings," she said.

There are many expenses that could not be ignored, like social gatherings, health expenses, or a contribution for a dead neighbor.

"If we think a crisis is about to come, we can't solve our problem anyway. So, I just spend the money I have -- but I just don't think about saving even a rupiah."

She admitted she received more or less Rp 2 million from her husband each month.

Although Kasima's family gets relatively more income than many other families here, she said she now resorts to traditional markets for lower prices.

"I usually shop at supermarkets for the quality of goods and vegetables ... but lately, I'd rather shop at traditional markets.

"The sellers still allow us to bargain and Rp 50 makes a difference," Kasima said.

In the anticipation of more price hikes, housewives are watching every sign, and treasuring every rupiah.