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Coping with Iran's rising prices | Coping with Iran's rising prices |
(19 minutes later) | |
Four young Iranians have written to BBCPersian.com about the rising cost of living - and food prices - in Tehran. | Four young Iranians have written to BBCPersian.com about the rising cost of living - and food prices - in Tehran. |
HESAMMODIN | HESAMMODIN |
The price of dairy products has gone up gradually over the last few months, but last week it suddenly soared by 15%. | The price of dairy products has gone up gradually over the last few months, but last week it suddenly soared by 15%. |
The same inflation can be seen on the prices of tinned food, tea and bread. Tehran food shopping class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7517319.stm">See more food shopping pictures | |
I think people should boycott these products in protest and make the producers price their products more logically. | I think people should boycott these products in protest and make the producers price their products more logically. |
Another problem is the rumours. When someone says the price of tea will go up, people rush to the shops and buy all the tea they can - and this leads to inflation in the tea market. | Another problem is the rumours. When someone says the price of tea will go up, people rush to the shops and buy all the tea they can - and this leads to inflation in the tea market. |
By the way, due to high oil income, the situation in Iran is much better than in other countries, but I do not know what will happen if the price of oil falls for any reason. | By the way, due to high oil income, the situation in Iran is much better than in other countries, but I do not know what will happen if the price of oil falls for any reason. |
VAHID | VAHID |
My wife and I both work. We got married 12 years ago but we decided not to have a child until we owned our own home. | My wife and I both work. We got married 12 years ago but we decided not to have a child until we owned our own home. |
We saved for 11 years to buy a small flat. It was during incredible house price inflation, so we could only pay for half of the house, the rest we got on a mortgage. The price of rice and meat has tripled in one or two months | We saved for 11 years to buy a small flat. It was during incredible house price inflation, so we could only pay for half of the house, the rest we got on a mortgage. The price of rice and meat has tripled in one or two months |
The monthly mortgage payment is now nearly as much as our joint monthly salary and we should be paying the loan back for the next 10 years. | The monthly mortgage payment is now nearly as much as our joint monthly salary and we should be paying the loan back for the next 10 years. |
So, we have moved to my parents' little flat. They are old and we have a child and you know what problems can arise when too many people live in a small space. | So, we have moved to my parents' little flat. They are old and we have a child and you know what problems can arise when too many people live in a small space. |
After we've paid the mortgage, we only have about $US 150 left. No one can live on this in an expensive city like Tehran. | After we've paid the mortgage, we only have about $US 150 left. No one can live on this in an expensive city like Tehran. |
The price of rice - the main food of Iranians - and meat has tripled in one or two months. | The price of rice - the main food of Iranians - and meat has tripled in one or two months. |
Dairy products have become more expensive: each pack of yoghurt is now 9000 Rials ($0.99), as opposed to 5250 Rials ($0.58) two months ago. We now buy subsidised milk and make our yoghurt at home. | Dairy products have become more expensive: each pack of yoghurt is now 9000 Rials ($0.99), as opposed to 5250 Rials ($0.58) two months ago. We now buy subsidised milk and make our yoghurt at home. |
We used to buy tea for 36,000 Rials ($3.95) a pack last year but now it's 55,000 Rials ($6.03). Subsided milk was 2,000 Rials ($0.22) and it's now 2,500 ($0.27) and it's rumoured that it might go up again. | We used to buy tea for 36,000 Rials ($3.95) a pack last year but now it's 55,000 Rials ($6.03). Subsided milk was 2,000 Rials ($0.22) and it's now 2,500 ($0.27) and it's rumoured that it might go up again. |
But thank God we are still healthy and we don't have to pay for doctors and medicine. | But thank God we are still healthy and we don't have to pay for doctors and medicine. |
Are we really living, or are we just alive? | Are we really living, or are we just alive? |
FARAMARZ NAGHIBI | FARAMARZ NAGHIBI |
High inflation is definitely not a good thing. It means your income and your expenses don't match and people struggle to make both ends meet. | High inflation is definitely not a good thing. It means your income and your expenses don't match and people struggle to make both ends meet. |
But maybe we can look at this in a different way: it has made the consumerist Iranian society change its behaviour! | But maybe we can look at this in a different way: it has made the consumerist Iranian society change its behaviour! |
Many of us don't see the value of some food items because they are very cheap. | Many of us don't see the value of some food items because they are very cheap. |
For example, bread is a staple, but many people throw away a lot of bread after each meal without noticing that in some parts of the world, that's all they have! | For example, bread is a staple, but many people throw away a lot of bread after each meal without noticing that in some parts of the world, that's all they have! |
Another example is the food that is thrown out after parties. | Another example is the food that is thrown out after parties. |
The recent high prices are very difficult to cope with, but the only positive aspect is that it might make people start to buy only the food they need - and change their bad consumerist habits. | The recent high prices are very difficult to cope with, but the only positive aspect is that it might make people start to buy only the food they need - and change their bad consumerist habits. |
SAID | SAID |
I was fortunate enough to get hired by one of Iran's state companies and to receive a standard salary, but I don't predict a bright future for myself. | I was fortunate enough to get hired by one of Iran's state companies and to receive a standard salary, but I don't predict a bright future for myself. |
I am engaged to be married, but I cannot afford the wedding. | I am engaged to be married, but I cannot afford the wedding. |
Rising rent prices are another reason for us postponing our wedding. I dread being ashamed in front of my future wife because of being unable to afford the expense. | Rising rent prices are another reason for us postponing our wedding. I dread being ashamed in front of my future wife because of being unable to afford the expense. |
We used to eat meat several times a week - and fish and chicken were also common ingredients. But now we only eat meat twice a week. My mother now uses soya mince instead of minced meat sometimes. | We used to eat meat several times a week - and fish and chicken were also common ingredients. But now we only eat meat twice a week. My mother now uses soya mince instead of minced meat sometimes. |
Two months ago we used to buy lamb for 60,000 Rials ($6.57) per kilo but now is 80,000 Rials ($8.76). | Two months ago we used to buy lamb for 60,000 Rials ($6.57) per kilo but now is 80,000 Rials ($8.76). |
Each flat round bread of Lavash [type of Iranian bread] used to be 140 Rials ($0.02) and it's now 200 Rials. | Each flat round bread of Lavash [type of Iranian bread] used to be 140 Rials ($0.02) and it's now 200 Rials. |
My mother and father have stored lots of food and detergents in our basement in case they start running out. Our basement looks like a supermarket now! | My mother and father have stored lots of food and detergents in our basement in case they start running out. Our basement looks like a supermarket now! |
I don't know how long we can cope with this situation. | I don't know how long we can cope with this situation. |
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