Aug CPI at 2.9%

Aug CPI: 104.5
Mth-to-Mth: 0.3% (Last mth: 2.1% due to GST hike)
Yr-to-Yr: 2.9% (Last mth: 2.6%)
1st 8mths 2007: 1.3%

Top 3 highest increase on yr-to-yr:
1) Healthcare 6%
2) Recreation & Others 4.4%
3) Transport & Communication 3.4%

As oil prices hit record highs, inflation is expected to rise further.

* SingStat-Aug CPI , AsiaOne-CPI , RadarGaga-Jul CPI *

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Ouch! My pocket!

26 Sep 07:
While inflation for Healthcare continues to be on the top list ... ...

$2b will be used to build more medical facilities over 8 years to cater for growing & greying population and to tackle emerging problems such as gambling addictions. "The expansion in infrastructure will in turn push up our operating budget which will have to be jointly funded by all the stakeholders: government, employers and patients."

* AsiaOne-Speech , AsiaOne-Medical , CNA-Medical *

*Gulp* We pay for growing old, we pay for increasing population, we pay for gamblers, and not forgetting we oso pay for more contagious, more advance, and more common viruses and illnesses.

Why are we seeing more people falling sick or getting illnesses at a younger age than the older generation? Are we getting more vulnerable to diseases/viruses? Are we getting more unhealthy due to the food we take or the way that food are produced? Are we getting more cautious that we rush to clinic/hospital at a slightest discomfort? Are we getting into the habit of labeling that we give names to every illnesses & then setup specialisation centres?

If one has unfortunately gotten a long-term or serious illness and is not financially sound, one either depletes his/her savings on medical and leaves little for old age; or suffers & dies at a younger age (than forecast). So, does the money that we work so hard for really give us a chance for enjoyment?