This Northlander ran her own business until she was 70 but now survives on the pension alone.
How old are you? I’m 72.
Have you been retired for long? Two years. I ran my own business until I was 70.
Do you live with anyone else? No, I've been widowed for 16 years.
So now that you've retired, how much money would come into the house on a typical week? Just the single pension. So $1124 fortnightly ($562 per week).
How much money would you spend on groceries in a typical week? I’ve had to really budget since I’ve been on the pension. So I allow $200 a fortnight. I shop weekly, so if it’s $120 one week, well, I’ll keep it down to $80 the next. I shop on Tuesdays, because we get the Gold Card discount.
And you’ve got a dog, is she fussy? Yes, she's on the low fat diet. She's got pancreatitis. But I have a repeat order from Animates for her food. I put aside $190 a fortnight for the dog. She goes to daycare twice a week, which is $50 per week. That’s for me to have some 'me time', and appointments and things like that. I don’t like to leave her on her own if I can help it because she gets a bit barky when people walk past.
What are the basic items that you always make sure that you have in your kitchen? Because of my medical issues, I sort of don't have processed foods. Very little dairy. I'd love to give up cheese, but I can't. So I always have cheese and yoghurt, fruit, vegetables. I don’t have a lot of condiments or anything, because I’m not allowed soy. I’m pretty driven by needing to be on the anti-inflammatory diet.
Do you eat meat? Not really. I might have meat once a week.
Do you plan the meals that you're going to cook? I do to a certain degree, but then I can get to five o'clock and think, what am I going to have for dinner? I’ve always got something in the freezer that I’ve made – casseroles and soups, especially at this time of year.
What is the most indulgent thing that you would allow yourself? I don't think I have anything indulgent. Actually, maybe yes: Brazil nuts.
Any wine? No I haven't drunk alcohol for 20 years. Don’t smoke.
Chocolate or ice cream? No I might buy an ice cream on a stick if I’m out, but I don’t have it in the house.
Do you buy takeout coffees? I might once a fortnight, it'll be on pension day, after I’ve dropped the dog off and I’m in the village, but it’s not a regular thing. I have one coffee a day at home.
Real coffee? No, just instant.
Do you go out for dinner? No. I used to get out and about more when I had the income. I'm ready for bed at half past eight these days! If I want company there's plenty around here, where I live.
Do you get takeaways? No, never. It’s all governed by these inflammatory problems I have. It’s not worth doing these things.
Do you do any baking? No, because if I do, I eat it, which is not good for me. Sometimes I make almond flour scones, that’s the only thing.
When you were growing up was, was money tightly watched in your household? Yeah, money was really tight, but we didn't have the options that there is today. As far as food went, Dad grew everything. He was a typical dad, an older dad. He had his pub money, his TAB money and it was up to Mum to find dinner for the rest of us. That was pretty usual in those days.
Do you feel like you've noticed the cost-of-living crisis in the 18 months? Oh, definitely. It really is huge. When I first began living on the pension, I could spend $150 or $120 a fortnight, now it's $200.
Has it changed the way you shop? Not much. I always take a list. But I don’t go driving like I used to, because of the petrol thing. And I don’t do gardening like I used to, because that’s an expense as well – you might grow food but you’ve still got to be buying good compost.
Knitting is my hobby. I was a very young mum and grandma and now I’m a great grandma. Knitting is my indulgence.
This interview has been edited for clarity and concision.
SHARE ME