Sunday

Bottoming out?

If you've read the news recently, analyst around the world have begun speculating that the recession has bottomed out and signs of recovery are appearing. This is however, not a shared optimism, even by our own ministers.

Thus, it is still important that you practice all the good habits picked up during the recession

the end may seem near, but how near is it exactly?

: D

Be understanding !

As you may already have read from the news, this recession has hit us all hard.
Hence, when you get home daily, and see your parents stressed, please, BE UNDERSTANDING

dont!
- ask them for money to buy unnecessary items
-quarrel with them over money matters
-pester them 
-anger them

do!
-brew their favourite drink and let them relax
-save your own money and spend wisely
-show an improvement in your handphone bill and utility bills
-show your appreciation for their hardwork at work to keep your family going!

think about it
your parents will definitely notice the change! : D

How to look good whilst not hurting your pocket

We know you want to look good, but this economic recession is sure hurting our pockets !
The fashionista in you screams for help, and recession heroes is here to save the day!
Tip #01
- Shop at blogshops. No overhead costs= money saved for you

Tip #02
- Shop at flea markets. Unexpected finds awaits you 

Tip #03
- Shop only during sales. You never know how cheap the bag you've been eyeing can go during a sale. One example: The great Singapore sale!

Hope this 3 tips helped! : D

*plays triumph music in background*

Recession Heroes

Today the recession heroes from 4C brings you a story about a real recession hero in Singapore.

Straits Times published a story regarding Mr Shawn Koh and his team of 9 social workers at the Pasir Ris Family Service Centre and how they have gone the extra mile to improve lives of people affected by these trying times.

Mr Koh is the head of the Family Service Centre which helps disburse money from the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.The fund aims to allow students from families with lower income to start a day with proper breakfast and have enough pocket money to sustain them through their school day. He and his team always gently probes about the family's situation everytime they get an application to try to offer more help in whichever ways they can. They also review cases every 3 to 4 months despite the fact that applicants are eligible to be on the scheme for 2 years. This allows them to ensure accountability and have more opportunities to aid families in other areas such as job hunting.

The reason behind all these work is that Mr Koh believes that "it is probably a lot harder emotionally for these people to accept the loss of the lifestyle they used to lead, and have to worry about bills and not knowing where their children's next meal is going to come from". Once, they discovered that a woman who applied was actually a single parent suffering from drug addiction and mental problems. This is where these social workers come in to provide their professional advice and opinions to help people like the woman to come out of her dark periods of trials and tribulations.

After reading this article, we feel that it is in times like these when Singaporeans can really step up and show the warmth of our society. We as teenagers can also initiate projects to do our part no matter how insignificant it seems. As the chinese proverb goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It is when we muster our courage to take on the challenge to help others that we will be able to grow to become real recession heroes.