A week ago, I received a notification from TRSS, a private security company, that monthly instalments would be increasing.

TRSS provides security services to my neighbourhood and several houses, including mine, in the complex where I reside. As I contemplated on this increase, realising I’d have to shoulder it as I cannot afford to go without private security even in my relatively safe neighbourhood, I started to think about just how much I spend on private security and other services in general, and how much I am taxed...