You write, in your editorial The year of the election? (TMID, 5 January), that the year that “has just ended consolidated the signs of recovery that were already noticeable in the last part of 2005” in economic terms.

I beg to differ.

As a family man with two young children, I cannot say that in 2006 I was better off than 2005. The ever-increasing cost of living has made it practically impossible for us to lead a decent life, in spite of two salaries and one part-time job.

Wherever we go, be it the hairdresser, or the pharmacy, or the supermarket, prices seem to go up day after day, month after month. And our salaries are not growing in the same way.

Some people might be happy with their lifestyle, but it is my impression that they are living beyond their means and one fine day they will wake up to face the consequences.

Paul Cassar

Sliema