Ng is affecting people
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do to turn over sales. I run a food snackette. Sometimes I would make a profit but sometimes I don’t because most of my edibles I sell would leave back; I eventually share it out to people. For example, a bag of garlic cost $4,000 a couple months ago; now the same bag of garlic cost $7,500. Then, a 90pound bag of rice a couple month back cost $7,500 and something; now the same bag of rice cost $8,500 and something. The cost attached to the electricity bill has increased. The government should reduce the cost for electricity and food items since the people don’t have money to buy food items.”
Nalinie Persaud
Nalinie Persaud, a 37-year-old clothing vendor said: “The cost of living is high because when I went to the supermarket with $5,000 to buy food items, I have noticed that I can’t buy anything much now, I can only purchase couple items. For example, a 5-gallon bottle of oil a couple months ago cost $8,300/ $8,200; now the same bottle of oil cost $9,500. The big Thunderbolt flour a couple month ago cost $460; now the same pack of flour cost about $600 and something. My husband and I work and we try to buy food items in bulk to cope with the cost of living. I’m a family of three including my child. The government should consider reducing the cost for food items so people can afford to purchase food items.”
Shondelle Matthews
Shondelle Matthews said: “My husband and I work but still the cost of living affects us. I’m a family of Seven including five kids. I work as a food vendor while my husband is a taxi driver. What I can say is that, not always the road is smooth for my husband because some days he doesn’t make money to provide for his family while some days, he does. Items are very costly now. Even items like a social studies text book for my child is expensive. A level 1 social studies textbook for my son a few months ago cost about $3,000; now the same social studies textbook level 2 cost $4,000. Also, a pound of chicken a couple months ago cost $300 and something; now a pound of chicken cost $500/$600. The government should look into why the wholesalers and retailers are increasing the prices for food items as soon as people’s salary has increased.”
Sarah Halley said: “The cost of living is high and it affects my family of five including my three children. I try to cope with it by budgeting because when I purchase food items from the markets, most of the cost for the items has increased in the market. For example, a box of cornflakes cereal a couple months ago cost about $500 and something; now a box of cornflakes cereal cost $1,000. Also, a pound of butter a few months ago cost $500 and something; now the same butter cost $640. I’m thankful for the school vouchers the government had provided me with, but I think the government should provide a monthly allowance for every family to help with the cost of living. “
Savitri Hemnauth
Savitri Hemnauth, a 30-year-old NDC Overseer said: “To a point the cost of living is bad since I have two kids and I have to provide meals for them every day.
The cost for the items alone is expensive, for example, a package of frozen fries, a few months ago cost $1,200; now the same package of fries cost $1,500/ $1,800 depending on the shop you buy it from. Also, the cost for a Lactogen formula was $2,800/$2,900 before; now, the same formula cost about $3,200/$3000/ $3,700 at some shops.
I think the government should provide cash grant to every member of the family and increase public servants’ salary more to help with the rising cost of living.”