What Kyrgyz citizens save on?

October 31st is marked as International Day of Economy. For Kyrgyzstan this issue is especially topical in times of the global recession and general economic slowdown. Salaries in Kyrgyzstan have never been high and citizens are forced to economize on something. The news agency 24.kg is asking Kyrgyzstanis if they have to save on something and if so, on what?

Andrei Lunichev, a loader:

What a question? I believe most of the people save money. Some on groceries, others on services. I save on everything, as my salary is barely enough for essential. I try to save on food, eat less meat and dairy products. For my 6 thousand soms a month I can not afford me a plateof cottage cheese with kefir for breakfast. I save on transportation as well, try to walk more. The saved money I give to my mother. She is retired and very sick.

Almazbek Narkulov, owner of a construction firm:

I do not struggle financially. Human being is a universal creature. I earned my first dollars reselling vegetables and fruit at a market. It took me six years to set up a construction company that now brings enough income to me and my coworkers. I do not think I have to save on something if I make enough. Although, this year I did not go to Turkey, but spent my vacation at the Issyk-Kul Lake.

Tatiana Gorkina, HR-director of a trade company:

I know a lot of people with financial hardships, who is ready to take any job just to make a living. Most of our workers have to refuse corporative parties and other events. Girls, who earlier would spend thousands on new clothes and make-up, now became more rational in their spendings. Our company has been strongly hit by the crisis as the Russian leadership has cut down expenses for the branch office in Kyrgyzstan. I rarely use my own car and have not gone clubbing for months.

Meder Kalyev, a pensioner:

There is no a pensioner in our country who does not have to economize and I am not an exception. My retirement payment is 3500 soms my wife’s around 3000. Before my retirement I worked as a book-keeper and earned enough. I started thinking about my old years when I was working and tried to put $100-150 aside every month against a rainy day.

Renat Saifiev, a businessman:

I believe the phrase “the more you have, the more you want” is very true. I am not fully satisfied with my income that is why I have to save money. For example, two months ago my daughter Elvira got married. Wedding, as you know, is not a cheap pleasure. My wife and I had to save money for about a year so our daughter could have a worthy wedding.