The common man is making drastic changes to his lifestyle to adjust to inflated cost of living; eating out less, few trips to the movies, doing away with house help are some of the cost-cutting measures
The common man is making drastic changes to his lifestyle to adjust to inflated cost of living; eating out less, few trips to the movies, doing away with house help are some of the cost-cutting measures
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| Changing lifestyles: The Union government has hiked the price of petrol for the sixth time in a span of one year.
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Two days ago, the union government hiked petrol prices for the sixth time within a year. The middle class already reeling under the impact of spiralling prices of food items including milk, bread, onions and vegetables, has been dealt another blow. Petrol has seen a hike from Rs 53.93 per litre in June 2010 to Rs 63.19 per litre in January 2010. That is a hike of Rs 10 per litre in just a span of six months!
Onion prices have shot up from Rs 20-25 per kilo to Rs 50-55 per kilo. Tomatoes that were sold at Rs 15-20 per kilo are now selling at Rs 40 per kilo in the open market.
As inflation goes out of control, MiD DAY spoke to people from various walks of life to find out what affects their daily life and what changes they have made in their life to adapt to the changing times.
Preeti Barry, Homemaker
Lives: With her family of four in Viman Nagar
Problem areas: Everything. Right from petrol to vegetables to food prices in hotels
Their sorrows: Barry's family owns two cars and until last month they spent Rs 2,500 on petrol. But now this budget has gone up by 20 per cent, forcing her family into using just one car; the other car that used to drop kids to school is lying unused. In fact she has asked her children to car pool with their friends. The household budget has also gone up. Weekly purchases of vegetables have gone up from Rs 900 per week to Rs 1,500 per week. Besides this, the family has stopped going out to dine in fancy restaurants, as restaurants have hiked their rates and reduced portions to match inflation. From Rs 1,200 for a weekend family dinner, it now costs Rs 2,000 for a family of four. The family now eats out at food courts at malls or popular small joints on weekends.
Sheetha Chacko, media professional
Lives: Shares a flat with two other women in Fatima Nagar
Problem areas: Transport, managing daily finances
Her sorrows: The budget for travel has spiralled out of control. As against Rs 70 for daily commute from home to work and back, the same trip costs between Rs 100-120 now. Besides that, basics like groceries and vegetables that used to cost Rs 2,000 per month has gone up to Rs 3,500 now. Even eating out that used to cost Rs 4,000 per month now burns a hole in her pocket. They have now started potluck lunches, where friends get together for dinners, as eating out is not an option anymore.
Hardeep singh, IT professionalLives: Alone in an apartment in Pashan
Problem areas: Saving, managing daily finances
His sorrows: I stay alone and thus have to take care of every expense starting from the house rent, transportation, daily expenses and partying too. After all this, I try to save too. My friends and I have stopped partying like we used to do earlier because of high prices. We party at home now as this saves a lot of money. Earlier, we went to pubs and nightclubs and spent a large chunk of money. I have stopped the services of my domestic help. I do all the tasks ufffd cooking, cleaning and washing dishes ufffd by myself. The housemaid started asking for more money, which I could not afford. My shopping is restricted to special occasions.
Niketan tidke, studentLives: In Khadki with roommates
Problem areas: Petrol, maintaining daily expenses
His sorrows: I have stopped using my motorbike after the petrol prices crossed Rs 55. I only use it while going to college. If I am going out with friends or on some other work, I prefer the bus, as it saves lots of money. Earlier, I used to go out with friends every weekend to decent restaurants and spend around Rs 1,000. We have stopped this completely now because I cannot afford it. Iu00a0 make excuses if my friends call me for a night out. I am also working but by the end of the month all my money is over and I have to borrow from my friends. Every day when I leave home, I carry Rs 200 with me. A cup of tea costs Rs 6 as opposed to Rs 3 earlier.u00a0 A vada pav also has seen a rise from Rs 5 to Rs 8. I do not spend on food even if I want to.u00a0
