"The rent here is £675/month, the council tax is £124/month, and the water is paid for, but I have to pay for the electric. I’m frugal – I’ll do a batch of cooking, and keep the lights off – and when the winter comes I don’t plan on turning on the heating. It’s just a tiny flat with electric storage heaters. I only signed a six-month contract; it will be on a monthly basis after that. You get to a point in your life where people you used to play rugby with or go to school with are no longer here. You think about your mortality.
I’m trying to save money. I’m going vegetarian, I don’t drink, but I run a car and have to get dental work done, so any extra money just goes. I never looked at prices before but now I do, because I’ve only got so much disposable income and still have debts."
"I envy people the same age who don’t pay rent or a mortgage and have a good pension. I’ve been working since I was 18. I could see myself living in a tent, and that’s scary."
Like a lot of older people, Rob does what he can to save money, but it’s not always enough. He chooses to share his story so that we can push for a future where no one struggles to afford the basics.
Through our campaigns, research and services like our free Helpline, we’re making a real difference to the lives of older people facing financial hardship. Your support helps us do this. Together we can end pensioner poverty.
Gwenda's storyGwenda worked until she was 75 but now struggles to get by.
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Two million too manyWe believe there are two million too many older people living in poverty. Read about our campaign and download campaigning resources.