Living costs are expected to rise starting April as consumers will face price hikes for a wide range of products and services, including natural gas and tickets for intercity bus transportation. Besides, even the monthly fees for the national pension plan are going to increase as well.

Your pocket may feel the impact of the price adjustment of national pension plan, liquefied petroleum gas and long haul bus fare.

Starting from April first, the monthly pension fee is increased from 6.5 percent to 7 percent, an equivalent of 52 NTD per month.

The prices of liquefied petroleum gas are rising by 10 NTD per 20-kg tank from second of April and the natural gas is up by 0.45 NTD per unit.

Bus fares for long haul services are going up by 10 to 50 NTD after the tomb-sweeping festival.

These small price hikes add up to a few hundred NTD per month.

Mrs. Ma travels from Taipei to Pingtung three times a month.

The housewife has to pay the national pension plan.

In other words, she would have to pay additional 500 NTD per month.

While the prices are increased slightly, they add up to a huge sum for many.