Reporter Choi Ji-eun from Money Today | 2023.05.06 11:00
#. Choi Kyung-ah (43), a housewife with children aged 5 and 7, has increased her worries as the month of May, the family, arrives. Prices are not going to drop, but spending is increasing to celebrate Children’s Day and Parents’ Day. Mr. Choi said, “On Parents’ Day, I spend 500,000 quickly earned to give pocket money to my parents, buy toys for the children, and even eat meals.”
It’s May, the month of the family, but many ordinary people are expressing their burden as high prices continue. Not only the price of eating out, but also the price of toys and tickets to amusement parks has risen significantly.
According to the ‘April consumer price trend’ published by the National Statistical Office on the 4th, the rate of increase in food prices last month recorded 7.6%. The restaurant price increase rate last year was 7.7%, which is on par with the highest in 30 years.
In particular, the prices of menus that children like, such as hamburgers, pizzas, and pork chops, have skyrocketed. In the case of hamburgers, it rose 17.1% from the same month last year. This is the highest figure in 18 years and 9 months since 19.0% in July 2004. Pizza rose 12.2%, the biggest increase in 14 years and 5 months after recording 13.2% in November 2008.
In the case of toys, even small dolls cost 10,000 to 20,000 won. Toys made with famous robot series or popular animated characters that are popular with children these days cost well over 100,000 won.
Kim Ji-seon (35), who has a 5-year-old daughter, said, “Since my child is at an age where he is definite, if there is a toy he wants, he will ask me to buy it. Most of the toys that look good for children are big size toys.” When the base price is more than 100,000 won, I tell my child, ‘The courier will bring it to me, ‘ and I find something cheaper on the Internet and buy it.”
The price of tickets to amusement parks, which are popular with families on Children’s Day, has also risen. Lotte World raised the price of an adult ticket from 58,000 won to 62,000 won. During peak season, such as Children’s Day, it costs 68,000 won. Everland also raised the price of annual passes and free passes by up to 15.4%.
With tight pockets, there is a tendency to prepare gifts rather than pocket money on Parents’ Day. Mr. said Kim, “I try to prepare it as a gift because it is cumbersome to give in cash.” Office worker Choi Young-joo (34) also said, “This is the first Mother’s Day after getting married last year, so I’m thinking of talking to my wife about buying department store gift certificates online at a lower price than the list because I don’t think I’ll be able to give much cash.”
In this regard, Lee Eun-hee, professor of consumer science at Inha University, said, “Compared to last year and the year before last, prices have risen significantly for all items, so it is not’ n easy for the common people to spend the family month well.” I think we need to find a way to spend money while spending money, and we need a culture of mutual understanding.”
[저작권자 @머니투데이, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
