i think gst paid out against the type of property u own. but knowing this wayang gahmen, for every $ pay out, they would expect to suck back at least 100 times.
I am taking an approximate average on the 6 types of Household they are GIVING the so called GSTV for your utilities bill - $220
The $220 will be split into four payments of $55 each and a SPECIAL payment of extra $220.
Jul 2013 - $55+$110
Oct 2013 - $55
Jan 2014 - $55
Apr 2014 - $55
Jun 2014 - $110
Total : $440
Try to take note that these months coincide with certain new year's, holidays & you can bet, the months preceding the payout months, your utilities bills will be estimated, & that will be slightly more than your READ meters. That is they take extra money from your Bank account (GIRO) first, more than the usual, & when your meter is read, credit back the difference, but in many cases, the credit back plus the say, $55 they give, will not be enough to cover.
They have already raise property tax this year & on the average if you check around, many of us are paying Income Tax, in addition to GST. The $250 is just a for show gift.
Eating out costs had risen, for example:
The ordinary heartland coffee shop near me, have raised their food prices by 30cts, what used to cost $2,50, it is now $2.80. The two or three from the group Kopi that ends with, we pay 'diam diam' TIAM, have raised their prices by 50cts. A bowl of Ban mien from $4.50 now cost $5.00.
This means that your average food prices had risen by 12% & that is affordable!! right?
Slowly but surely, other food prices will rise, that is, buying from the supermarkets will cost more too, transportation cost will go up. The $250 is just for show only...don't get fooled by their publicity of showing you a family saves $x,xxx amount & all their fanciful advertisement.
We are paying more taxes, more for our groceries, more for our food, more for our utilities & more for our train & bus fares ( you think, the free morning ride is FREE). Whatever they give you, has a multiplier effect on costs....do not be so happy!:p