Tips on how to be thrifty during the crisis
JAKARTA (JP): Those among us who used to live by the words I am therefore I shop may now have to think twice before splashing out on new purchases. With no sign of an end to the monetary crisis in sight and prices climbing ever higher, the time for thriftiness is nigh.
To gauge how well they had come to terms with changes wrought by the krismon (monetary crisis), The Jakarta Post asked a number of people how their personal and household budgets had changed in recent months.
Legendary jazz musician Bill Saragih said he has been largely unaffected by the crisis, which has turned many people's lives upside down. This, he said, was because he always knows how to manage his spending.
"I'm a simple man and I live in a simple way," Saragih said in his famous heavy voice.
TV host Shanaz Haque said the same thing.
"Crisis or not, it's been the same for me. I only spend my money on things that I really need. I don't buy brand-name goods. I often borrow expensive clothes for a performance. People may call me as mean as Scrooge, but that's me. I don't work hard just to throw away my money."
It seems that those who are used to living a "thrifty" way of life have not had much trouble adjusting to the crisis. They know all about how best to economize. However, those who became used to extravagance and luxury during the last years of the New Order might find the following tips on how to scrimp and save very useful indeed.
* Show high appreciation for any invitation to dine,
* Tell your children what has happening to your earnings so they too can join in your cost-cutting campaign,
* Ask your maid to join in by telling her to wash clothes only on alternate days and to turn off all unnecessary lamps,
* Use the phone only for "urgent" calls,
* Use the car only for necessary trips,
* Only subscribe to newspapers and magazines that are of use to your family/business interests,
* Beware of eye-catching banners advertising discounts. Prices are often marked-up in advance,
* Invite family members to indulge in do-it-yourself activities such as cooking. Remember, home-made cuisine is delicious at best and amusing at worst,
* Renting a laser-disc is much cheaper than going to the movies,
* Some cinemas offer big discounts on Mondays. Arrive early to avoid long queues,
* Skim through newspaper ads for second-hand sales, which have grown in number in Jakarta over the past few weeks,
* Discuss the best locations to scout around for second-hand goods with your friends,
* Use local toiletries instead of imported brands,
* Instead of spending huge sums of money during the upcoming holidays, stay at home and read do-it-yourself books with all the family. Remember, the Fiscal tax is still Rp 1 million per person,
* Instead of spending time and money at nightspots then taking a risky trip home, stay put and discuss business opportunities with your spouse and chat with your children,
* Never believe that you know how the rupiah will fare against the U.S. dollar, so keep on saving for the next stormy day, and
* Last but not least, don't forget to exercise and play sports. This helps to avoid stress and maintain health -- medical costs are quite expensive these days. (ylt/bsr)