For instance, I went to Cedele Depot to buy a slice of carrot walnut cake this morning and realised that the price had increased by 20 per cent from $5 to $6. And the price of a cookie has increased even more - by 30 per cent from $1 to $1.30!

More retailers seem to be passing on higher charges to consumers. And with the average worker receiving a 2 per cent to 3 per cent annual wage increment, Singapore is increasingly becoming a difficult place to live in.

Marc Wang Chia Yong