Economies and the downside of being retired

Now, I love being retired! We made the decision to do so, some five years earlier than originally planned, due to Ray's health and I am very glad that we did. He has made a remarkable recovery and although he still has to be careful (and always will) it does mean that he can rest, whenever he needs to. And far from being bored, the exact opposite is true for me. I just cannot believe how quickly the days go by! It is wonderful not to be chasing the clock and to be able to take each day at the pace that is comfortable for us.

Sadly though, the plain economic fact is that pensions do not rise in line with the cost of living! Our utility bills, for instance, have doubled this year and we are seeing our food bills creep up slowly but surely as the weeks pass. For lots of reasons, all our credit cards were shredded some months ago and we determined not to use them ever again. So, this week, I decided to conduct a small experiment. We have to get into the mindset that if we haven't got it, we do without, until the next big shop. We are nowhere near being poverty stricken, but we do need to stop just nipping down to the shops, whenever we feel we cannot live another moment, without whatever it is we are wanting. So, aware that we had a plentiful supply of all the basics and the ingredients for the meals I had planned until next Monday (when we do the next big shop) I decided that we would see just how little money we could spend this week. The bank balance is fairly healthy, right now, having had Ray's pension paid into it last week and mine due in tomorrow, but even so, I just wanted to see if it could be done. And I am both pleased and proud to announce that Ray and I, together, have spent a total of £1, this week! That was on a little quiz that his work people are putting on for charity, so as it is for a good cause, we felt it was right to do so.

So, it can be done and to be honest, we have not gone without. We have had food, whenever it was needed and not one of has felt in any way deprived. So, a good week all in all and one which will be repeated in the future, you can be sure of that.