Singapore Expats

abbby wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 9:44 am

What are your thoughts? Looks like cost of living looking to go up as well almost everything has GST.

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 10:52 am

Ridiculous

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 1:59 pm

The UK is at a VAT of 20%.

It is a grossly unfair tax on the poor as the poor spend a higher proportion of their disposable income on GST than the richest

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 4:15 pm

I must be slow today, it took me a few minutes to figure out what you meant by Boris. My mind fixated on Boris the Animal from MIB and I couldn’t make the connection

9% GST is high for Singapore, a city state that is often compared to Hong Kong, where it is 0%. Several states in the US have 0% sales tax, but on average it’s 6-7%, only one or two states have sales taxes reaching into the 9% level, and that’s limited to specific cities. In my home state it’s 6%, but groceries are 0%.

Singapore doesn’t like to run a deficit, and doesn’t even like to spend the investment returns made on past surpluses... I would venture to guess that Singapore is the most fiscally conservative country in the world.

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 10:42 pm

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 4:15 pm

I must be slow today, it took me a few minutes to figure out what you meant by Boris. My mind fixated on Boris the Animal from MIB and I couldn’t make the connection

9% GST is high for Singapore, a city state that is often compared to Hong Kong, where it is 0%. Several states in the US have 0% sales tax, but on average it’s 6-7%, only one or two states have sales taxes reaching into the 9% level, and that’s limited to specific cities. In my home state it’s 6%, but groceries are 0%.

Singapore doesn’t like to run a deficit, and doesn’t even like to spend the investment returns made on past surpluses... I would venture to guess that Singapore is the most fiscally conservative country in the world.

Are you from FL? It’s 6% there (my home state). I recall one poster mentioning they were from Sarasota or thereabouts but can’t remember if it was you. And as for Singapores fiscal conservatism, it goes with saying. Even the fiscal policy is called prudent fiscal policy, you know what to expect just from the name.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 2:24 pm

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 10:42 pm

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 4:15 pm

I must be slow today, it took me a few minutes to figure out what you meant by Boris. My mind fixated on Boris the Animal from MIB and I couldn’t make the connection

9% GST is high for Singapore, a city state that is often compared to Hong Kong, where it is 0%. Several states in the US have 0% sales tax, but on average it’s 6-7%, only one or two states have sales taxes reaching into the 9% level, and that’s limited to specific cities. In my home state it’s 6%, but groceries are 0%.

Singapore doesn’t like to run a deficit, and doesn’t even like to spend the investment returns made on past surpluses... I would venture to guess that Singapore is the most fiscally conservative country in the world.

Are you from FL? It’s 6% there (my home state). I recall one poster mentioning they were from Sarasota or thereabouts but can’t remember if it was you. And as for Singapores fiscal conservatism, it goes with saying. Even the fiscal policy is called prudent fiscal policy, you know what to expect just from the name.

Nope, MI. My parents were snow birds and had been spending winters in PCB, FL each year for 3 decades, and I’ve visited them there several times. They are now in their mid-80’s and starting to slow down. The last time I was in FL we drove to Miami, checked out South Beach and Key Biscayne. I really enjoyed Pollo Tropical (they don’t have those up north), an interesting Caribbean twist on fast food.

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 7:39 pm

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 2:24 pm

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 10:42 pm

Are you from FL? It’s 6% there (my home state). I recall one poster mentioning they were from Sarasota or thereabouts but can’t remember if it was you. And as for Singapores fiscal conservatism, it goes with saying. Even the fiscal policy is called prudent fiscal policy, you know what to expect just from the name.

Nope, MI. My parents were snow birds and had been spending winters in PCB, FL each year for 3 decades, and I’ve visited them there several times. They are now in their mid-80’s and starting to slow down. The last time I was in FL we drove to Miami, checked out South Beach and Key Biscayne. I really enjoyed Pollo Tropical (they don’t have those up north), an interesting Caribbean twist on fast food.

I see! I’m actually from Miami. Pollo Tropical is not really my thing, the only redeeming factor would be the fact that they often operate out of drive thrus, so it’s a really great and convenient way to get a cheap, relatively healthy meal.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:09 pm

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 7:39 pm

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 2:24 pm

Nope, MI. My parents were snow birds and had been spending winters in PCB, FL each year for 3 decades, and I’ve visited them there several times. They are now in their mid-80’s and starting to slow down. The last time I was in FL we drove to Miami, checked out South Beach and Key Biscayne. I really enjoyed Pollo Tropical (they don’t have those up north), an interesting Caribbean twist on fast food.

I see! I’m actually from Miami. Pollo Tropical is not really my thing, the only redeeming factor would be the fact that they often operate out of drive thrus, so it’s a really great and convenient way to get a cheap, relatively healthy meal.

Yep, when I’m on the road, a cheap, relatively healthy meal is all that I need.

But have to admit, I was also drawn to the ethnic and slightly ghetto vibe of the place!

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 2:22 pm

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:09 pm

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 7:39 pm

I see! I’m actually from Miami. Pollo Tropical is not really my thing, the only redeeming factor would be the fact that they often operate out of drive thrus, so it’s a really great and convenient way to get a cheap, relatively healthy meal.

Yep, when I’m on the road, a cheap, relatively healthy meal is all that I need.

But have to admit, I was also drawn to the ethnic and slightly ghetto vibe of the place!

I wouldn’t call it ghetto… maybe some of the inner areas. I will say thought that you are right about the ethnic feel, you can definitely see a lot of the Latin American esp Cuban influence in the food, music, art, architecture.