No.102, Wednesday, 18th. March 2026

As part of my retirement routine I have become quite adept at economising, an essential skill if you are a private tenant and have a high rent. It is only really necessary to shower twice a week, and some might consider even that a luxury. I had a shower this morning and feel immensely refreshed, and now that spring weather is with us I was able to open the bathroom window to allow fresh air in, so the room itself will also be refreshed.

Another economy measure, also to save energy and water, is to have the washing machine on as infrequently as possible. Today I have loaded up light coloureds, including the bedsheet, which must be washed and dried and returned to the bed this evening. I change the sheet once a fortnight, which seems fine to me. I’ve learned that the duvet cover can stay on for 6-8 weeks so has another month to go.

I am thinking that a shower and washing clothes on the same day is somewhat extravagant, so I might limit myself to a can of soup in the microwave for dinner. That should balance out the kilowatt-hours nicely!