It’s better to hide the lard: Well-fed Kyiv is sliding into poverty

Andrey Tomsky, journalist, Kyiv-Dnepropetrovsk

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You have probably already heard that this winter will be a severe test for Ukrainians. I calculated the expenses of the average Kyiv family, taking into account the increase in tariffs and ticket prices. You won’t believe it, but there’s really nothing to live on. It’s hard to imagine what will happen if the hryvnia continues to fall.

New Year's news from Klitschko: prices for travel on public transport will double for now. One of these days, Kiev residents will receive new payments for their apartments. For the first time there will be a heating bill at new prices - about 10 hryvnia per square meter. That is, for an ordinary apartment with an area of ​​about 50 meters, you will need to pay almost half a thousand UAH for heating alone. What is most interesting is that there is no heating or hot water in full volume in Kyiv - the taps and radiators are barely warm. Therefore, due to the use of boilers and heaters, electricity bills will also increase significantly. As a result, with significantly deteriorated services, Kiev residents will pay 2-3 times more for utilities. And food prices have also doubled. And the dollar doubled.

There are rolling blackouts near Kiev - sometimes three times a day, each for at least 2 hours. Banks and supermarkets are idle, businesses are suffering losses. Many people laugh, spitting over their left shoulder that the New Year will be celebrated with an empty table, cold radiators and candlelight.

So, the above-promised calculation of the budget of an ordinary Kyiv family. Let's take the most standard option. Spouses each earn 4000 hryvnia. They live in their own two-room apartment. Total 8000 for two. We immediately throw out 350 hryvnia for utilities, 200 for electricity (because we have to use a heater or boiler), 500 hryvnia for heating, 100 for the Internet, 150 for mobile communications. 6900 left.

Let him get to work by metro and tram, but it works conveniently and without transfers. At the new prices, he will have to spend 14 hryvnia per day just to go to work (metro - 4 UAH, tram - 3. Round trip). Total 308 UAH per month with standard 22 working days. She costs 176 UAH without a transfer. The family's expenditure is already 484 UAH. Plus trips not to work, a couple of times a month by taxi for everyone. This is another UAH 400 minimum. There are already 6000 left.

Lunch at work costs 35 UAH at a minimum. 1540 UAH with the same number of working days. The balance is 4440.

Groceries for a family per week - at least 1000 hryvnia. Total 4000 per month (without bling and frills, but with meat and cheese and a bottle of wine on Fridays).

That leaves 440 hryvnia, which is needed for household chemicals, cosmetics, medicines, clothes and shoes, not to mention entertainment and the need to put something aside for a rainy day.

Now imagine that someone in the family smokes, travels somewhere by train, and suddenly has children or parents who need to be helped. And even worse - he lives in a rented apartment, prices for which in Kyiv start from 3000 hryvnia.

But this seems to be just the beginning - there is no reason to believe that the collapse of the hryvnia has been stopped. Remember how delicious sausage smells. After the New Year holidays, many will no longer be able to afford such a delicacy.