9 ways to beat the 9% hike

1. Gain assurance
One of the best ways to manage this hike is to tap into the Assurance Package provided by the government. All eligible adult Singaporeans will receive a one-off amount of S$200 to S$800 to tide through higher inflation and the GST rate increase.

2. House brands
Consider house brands instead of more expensive, premium items. For instance, when shopping for snacks, compare prices before purchasing. A pack of house brand potato chips for example, may only cost half the price of other brands.

3. Home comforts
Cook at home to cut costs, instead of eating out or ordering food in. GST and service charges at eateries can add up. Whipping up home-cooked meals can be more wallet-friendly: One simple tip is to buy ingredients that are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways.

4. Cool and cost-efficient
Use fans instead of air-conditioning at home to save on electricity costs. If you still need to use the air-conditioning,   use the timer function to pivot to the fan. This helps to save the environment, and on costs!

5. Rail savings
Use public transport like trains and buses instead of ride-hailing services. By using Singapore’s robust, efficient and widespread network, you can help save the Earth too.

6. Lose recurring costs
Review your subscriptions and weed out any unused subscriptions instead of letting them be. Cancelling that dormant magazine subscription could save more than you think, as small amounts on a monthly basis can snowball into a princely sum.

7. Upcycling
Find ways to reuse items that you originally wanted to throw away instead of buying new things. For instance, use your old shirts to make bags with a nifty YouTube tutorial.

8. Pre-loved savings
Or instead of upcycling, purchase second-hand items rather than get new ones. You can do so easily with social media or through online marketplaces like Carousell. Thrifting is increasingly popular as it allows you to find rare or uncommon pieces than off the shelves, such as vintage football jerseys.

9. Deals galore
Tune in to channels that shout out the latest promotions and sales around Singapore to fit your budget. For instance, some telegram channels highlight the best credit card deals or warehouse sales. You can also time your bigger expenses during sale seasons like 11.11 or Black Friday.