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[h=2]$500 could get one quite far 40 years ago[/h]
June 10th, 2014 |
Author: Contributions
Forty years ago, this guy walked into a bank to get a
car loan. The bank officer asked for his salary. ‘Half a thousand!’ he replied
confidently. In those days, a Morris Minor cost about $5,000, no need COE.
Practically every young army officer could afford a car and a flat after working
for less than 3 years. And many were non graduates, O and A-levels were the
norm. And they were quite comfortable with half a thousand, and getting a one
thousand dollar salary or four figures was a statement of having arrived for the
young men.
How many could afford to buy a car today with a $3,000 income? And how many
could afford a HDB flat with a single income? Oops, I am wrong on this. Sorry, a
$1,000 income is enough to buy a flat.
Those were the days when half a thousand could get one quite far, dating the
girl next door, going for a joy ride in a brand new car with not a concern for
the cost of petrol. ‘Chiak hong’ was fun, a leisurely drive around the island
with girl friend or family was having a good time. Life might be simpler then,
and the stress level was pretty low.
Today the people are richer. ‘What is ten million?’ is often uttered by the
super-rich. Life is really good. Don’t ever tell anyone your income is half a
thousand. An uneducated cleaner is already earning a four figure income. Half a
thousand is below poverty line. A two thousand household income is likely to be
below poverty line too.
Chua Chin Leng aka
redbean
* The writer blogs at mysingaporenews.blogspot.com.
Forty years ago, this guy walked into a bank to get a car loan. The bank officer asked for his salary. ‘Half a thousand!’ he replied
confidently. In those days, a Morris Minor cost about $5,000, no need COE.
Practically every young army officer could afford a car and a flat after working
for less than 3 years. And many were non graduates, O and A-levels were the
norm. And they were quite comfortable with half a thousand, and getting a one
thousand dollar salary or four figures was a statement of having arrived for the
young men.
How many could afford to buy a car today with a $3,000 income? And how many
could afford a HDB flat with a single income? Oops, I am wrong on this. Sorry, a
$1,000 income is enough to buy a flat.
Those were the days when half a thousand could get one quite far, dating the
girl next door, going for a joy ride in a brand new car with not a concern for
the cost of petrol. ‘Chiak hong’ was fun, a leisurely drive around the island
with girl friend or family was having a good time. Life might be simpler then,
and the stress level was pretty low.
Today the people are richer. ‘What is ten million?’ is often uttered by the
super-rich. Life is really good. Don’t ever tell anyone your income is half a
thousand. An uneducated cleaner is already earning a four figure income. Half a
thousand is below poverty line. A two thousand household income is likely to be
below poverty line too.
Chua Chin Leng aka
redbean
* The writer blogs at mysingaporenews.blogspot.com.
