SHEELA NARAYANAN

THESE days, the P word rules - prudence, that is. With most countries sliding into recession and the outlook for the year being even gloomier, it's no wonder that people around the world have resorted to some belt-tightening.

The Indian community in Singapore is no different.

Most have already taken a machete to their personal expenses, cutting down on vacations and giving up the comfort of a taxi ride to jostle shoulders on the MRT. Others have given up their daily lunch outings in lieu of a bagged home-cooked lunch eaten in the office pantry.

Yet others say they are putting their property purchases on hold. And some are opting for house brands at the supermarket and in some cases even walking to the supermarket to save on bus fare.

They are also doing little things like vigilantly switching off lights to cut down on the electricity bills.

Students are feeling the pinch too. Tertiary students are shoring up their expenses, expecting to see their rents go up even as their wallets shrink. -tabla!