'I'll have to spend my salary wisely'

The recent fuel price hikes have led to increases in the prices of many services and commodities, which have considerably reduced people's purchasing power. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta people how all this would affect their daily lives and finances.

Fifi, 24, is a public relations officer at a movie production house in South Jakarta. She lives with her family in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:

Last month, I thanked God that my salary was more than enough. I could watch movies in my favorite theater twice a week, or eat at restaurants almost every day. But everything was turned upside down this month as the prices of just about everything has gone up.

Now, unless I spend my salary wisely, it will not be enough to cover my expenses for the month, let alone trying to save.

I must force myself to forget about movies, shopping and dining out too often.

As transportation fares have also skyrocketed, I am now hitching a lift in friends' cars home from the office. Fortunately, several of them live near my home.

Jajang, 38, is a mechanic in a garage in Senen, Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife and children in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta:

I don't really understand what the government was thinking about when they decided to increase fuel prices by such a huge percentage. I don't mind price hikes for premium gasoline and diesel fuel, but raising the price of kerosene was intolerable.

Now, I guess all I can do is to accept it and find ways to adjust to the new situation. As I must prioritize food and transportation costs, I'll have to cut back on other expenses.

Previously, we could go out of town once a week. Now, we'll just have to stay at home and watch TV as I believe that our family must be able to set some money aside for savings, no matter how small.

I also can't cut back on my food expenditure as I want my family to have nutritious food no matter what happens.

-- The Jakarta Post