From my Substack diary no.180, Thursday, 11th. June 2026

This morning I am thinking about my experience as a pensioner on a low income and how I am able to enjoy a reasonable life. I try to be positive and in general I am very much a ‘glass half full’ person. I make do with and enjoy what I have. That does not stop me from having bouts of depression that hit me out of the blue and often for no reason that I can discern. However, during those periods it becomes obvious that it is because my life is not what I want it to be or thought it would be when I was younger, together with a powerful sense of helplessness. 

Now I think about it, one of the triggers might be searching the property aggregators – mainly Zoopla and Right Move – for a less expensive and better suited home – and never finding one. The insecurity I feel as a private tenant is sometimes overwhelming and there is no doubt in my mind that this is the No.1 problem I face.

Thankfully I am usually able to keep these thoughts to a minimum, and focus more on my achievements in economy. For example, I enjoyed my midweek shower this morning. During my working life I thought nothing of having a shower every day, but since retirement I have found that two a week is perfectly adequate. In general, a shower will cost me about 7p at today’s prices, compared to 2p for a wash. Since my total daily energy bill is under £2 that is quite a big saving.

I have not left home since last Friday and do not anticipate venturing out until some time next week. If I am not out and about I am not tempted to spend money, which is a good thing. And I make the most of those days I do venture into town, which invariably involves a few beers and good conversation with friends.

Since retirement I have not had a takeaway or eaten out, but I rarely think about it. I cooked a simple and inexpensive vegetarian pasta dish yesterday, enough for two dinners. I will finish it this evening and warm it through in the microwave rather than the hob, which would be my preference.

Yesterday I managed to get quite a lot of gardening done, mainly weeding and cutting back a particularly vicious pyracantha. Today the weather is against me so I shall remain indoors, but I don’t mind that at all; I have plenty of books to read, music to listen, films to watch and writing projects to get on with.

I have learned how important small luxuries can be: for example, my daily cappuccino is one and my monthly M&S chocolate eclair another.

So, in summary, I should not complain. It is what it is and it could be worse. I am glad it isn’t worse!