Is it possible to live in Russia on a minimum pension?

How to live on minimum wage?

In 2021, the Government seeks to establish a living wage for elderly people in the amount of 10,700 rubles. This is the amount, according to the state, that covers all the basic expenses of the average pensioner.

The size of the minimum pension differs in different regions of the country!

The amount of the minimum level of pension payments is calculated on the basis of Federal Law No. 178 dated July 17, 1999. In practice, only a portion of pensioners are able to survive on 10,000 rubles a month , especially when the salary was over 20,000 rubles.

What is the minimum pension in 2021?

Below we will find out what a pensioner needs to do in order to live on the minimum pension upon reaching the age of 55 years (women) or 60 years (men):

Review of the daily diet - doctors do not recommend abusing meat after 50 years. In addition, you should not eat a lot of fried, salty, fatty foods. The pensioner’s task is to plan his diet for a month in advance in accordance with the size of his pension. The main advantage is that a healthy diet will help extend your life by several years.

Medicines – the health of pensioners is deteriorating every day, so many older people constantly require medications that cost a decent amount. To resolve this issue, it is worth taking advantage of the benefits, according to which pensioners have the right to receive free medicines.

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In addition, it will be possible to save on medications if a pensioner monitors his health through active physical activity. For example, an elderly person can do exercises, run in the morning, do yoga, swim in the pool, etc.

Hobbies – upon retirement, an elderly person has a lot of free time, which he would like to devote to his favorite hobby. However, in this case, there is not always enough money to do what you love. Therefore, it is worth taking a rational approach to the issue of costs. For example, instead of buying the necessary material at city markets, use an online resource where you can buy the same thing much cheaper. In addition, a hobby can generate additional income.

Buying clothes and cosmetics - nowadays in all cities and villages there are markets and shops where you can find good things for pennies. If a pensioner knows about such places, then updating his own wardrobe will not be difficult. Don't forget about cosmetics. In order not to look gray and boring, it is enough for a pensioner to highlight her eyes a little and tint her lips. At the same time, it is not necessary for cosmetics to be expensive - one tube will last an elderly woman for a long time.
Gradualism - during the period of planning monthly expenses, the budget must be cut gradually, otherwise there will be some discomfort that will affect the psychological state of the pensioner.

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How and where to buy food cheaply

A great way to constantly save on food is to periodically monitor prices and follow promotions held in supermarkets, which are accompanied by advantageous offers on certain categories of goods. By purchasing products during promotional periods, you can save up to 50% of your budget. Most chain stores constantly offer discounts. It is profitable to shop in large hypermarkets where “1+1” promotional programs operate: the buyer pays only for one product, and gets the second, identical product for free.

Many people appreciate the benefits of buying in bulk. Not everyone has the opportunity to immediately spend a significant amount on groceries. However, such purchases are more than worth it. In large cities, grocery stores and wholesale stores are within walking distance. If you purchase goods in such places, their cost is much cheaper.

For example, in a retail store a pack of tea will cost 50 rubles. The price is the same in wholesale, but if the buyer takes 3 packs at once, he will pay 120 rubles for them. Thus, one pack of tea at a wholesale price will no longer cost 50 rubles, but 10 rubles more. less. In addition, the quality of products at wholesale centers is in no way inferior to retail. Over time, people adapt to this type of shopping, choose the most suitable product items for themselves, and give preference to brands of individual manufacturers. The only drawback of purchasing in bulk in order to save money is that in a hypermarket it’s hard not to give in to temptation and buy too much.

Many pensioners advise shopping at the market. To ensure that every penny counts, you should record every expense you make. Even the purchase of cheap onions or beets must be recorded - this will allow you to track all the gaps in expenses. On the market you can find fairly affordable price tags, especially when it comes to spoiled fruits and vegetables. Thus, many sellers give away slightly frozen apples in winter almost for free, but they can make an excellent tea pie.

To live on a pension in Russia, you need to prepare for winter in advance. And again the market comes to the rescue: here older people often bring their own goods for sale at a low price. Experienced housewives know how to live on retirement. Women buy berries and vegetables at the market, freeze them, make jam, compotes, pickle them, and marinate them.

Increasing pensions in rural areas?

At the beginning of 2021, the authorities planned to increase the amount of pension payments to all residents of rural settlements by 25% of the initial pension. However, this bill did not come into force; the action of the developed law was suspended until January 1, 2021 on the basis of Federal Law No. 385 of December 29, 2015.

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From 2017, the following categories of pensioners will be able to receive this increase:

labor activity in rural areas for more than 30 years;
actual residence in the village;
disability;
the vacancy occupied by a resident of a rural settlement corresponds to a list specially developed by the Government.

The increase in pension contributions will not affect citizens who have changed their address of residence!

Is it possible to work in retirement?

Advantages go to those pensioners who, upon reaching the age of incapacity, still remain in service. If your health allows you to continue working in the same position, that’s great. The security of a pensioner’s job largely depends on the loyalty and understanding of the employer. Undoubtedly, the opportunity to continue working cannot be missed. But in no case should you work to the detriment of your health. In old age, stress on the body is much more dangerous than poverty.

How to live without a pension? This question does not concern a person who continues to work. But what should those who gave up their best years and health earning seniority, and now have to be content with an amount that barely reaches the subsistence level, do? Even if you feel like you don’t have the strength to work anymore, don’t throw away the idea of working at home.

Some people don’t even think about how to live without a pension. With proper activity, you can always find a way to improve your financial situation. In addition, these days there are many directions for self-realization, so you need not to give up and take on board the following tips.

Putin's opinion

V.V. Putin provided his own opinion on the topic of minimum pension contributions: “This is one of the key issues... We have indexed the income of pensioners... Next year, indexation is planned by 4% in all categories. We will see what happens in the country’s economy.”

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We recommend a short video on the same topic.

Based on the information presented, we can conclude that annual indexation will not greatly increase the purchasing power of pensioners. Therefore, authorities must take effective measures that can increase the cost of living of every pensioner in Russia.

How to eat healthy and inexpensively for a pensioner

For older people, due to age-related changes in the body, it is advisable to adhere to a diet to preserve health. It serves as a prevention for a number of diseases, helps maintain normal body weight, and allows you to save on buying food. Recommendations for proper nutrition:

Eat small meals several times a day at the same hours. Eat easily digestible dishes (porridge) for breakfast, nutritious ones for lunch, and dinner should be medium in calories.
Drink at least 1 liter of water per day, no later than half an hour before meals and no earlier than an hour after it. This helps reduce hunger and acidity.
Replace butter in your diet with vegetable oil. It is better to avoid products with combined fats (mayonnaise, margarine).
Buy cheap offal (stomachs, liver). When cooked correctly, they are not much inferior to meat in terms of culinary qualities.
Instead of red meat, eat white meat, which is easier to digest - chicken, turkey, rabbit.
Include eggs in your diet , which supply the body with lecithin and protein, 3-4 pieces per week.
Choose low-fat varieties of fish. Try to cook it at least twice a week, preferably not frying, but steaming or boiling.
Eat a small amount of fresh onions and garlic (unless there are medical contraindications). These vegetables help cleanse blood vessels, stimulate blood circulation, and serve to prevent thrombosis.
Avoid smoked foods, pickles, canned foods, or limit their intake (no more than 2 times a week).
Eliminate fast food (hamburgers, sushi) and carbonated drinks from your family’s diet. Eating such dishes is expensive and unhealthy.
When cooking meat products, use the broth to prepare soups; stew the meat itself with vegetables or make a side dish for it.
Try to eat no later than 1.5-2 hours before bedtime. About 30 minutes before your night's rest, you can drink a mug of warmed milk with a teaspoon of honey.

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Seasonal fruits and vegetables

Saving on groceries includes buying vegetables and fruits in season, which is cheaper and healthier. After the harvest, prices for these goods are reduced and the quality is better. In the fall, you can put in a basement or cellar a supply of potatoes, carrots, beets, and other vegetables for several months. When purchasing, give preference to products grown in Russia or in nearby countries.

Slowly digestible carbohydrates

To improve the health of the body, it is useful to eat foods with a high fiber content. They improve digestion, metabolic processes, and normalize blood sugar levels. “Slow” carbohydrates have a low glycemic index (an indicator of the rate of conversion of saccharides into glucose).

They also take longer to digest and give a prolonged feeling of fullness. Their use in winter increases the body's resistance to cold and stimulates the production of serotonin.

Slowly digestible carbohydrates include:

grain legumes: peas, beans, lentils, pearl barley (except corn);
vegetables (except potatoes, pumpkins);
fruits, berries, nuts;
milk, cottage cheese.

Refusal of smoked foods and fast carbohydrates

One of the effective ways to save money and maintain health is to avoid smoked foods and quickly digestible carbohydrates. Sausages, sausages, and smoked fish are not recommended for those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle (healthy lifestyle). These products contain many flavoring, preservative additives, dyes, and are more expensive than natural meat or fish.

“Fast” carbohydrates are often made using the same substances that are harmful to health. Natural products from this category are broken down in the digestive system at a high rate. They satisfy hunger for a short time, promote the formation of fat deposits, and therefore are especially not recommended for women.

Quickly digestible carbohydrates include:

baked goods made from wheat flour, yeast, puff pastry;
potato dishes;
sugar;

milk chocolate, bars, candies;
fast food (chips, cola, hamburgers);
sweet juices, drinks;
muesli;
rice, semolina, corn products (cereals, popcorn, cereals);
noodles, pasta from soft wheat varieties;
honey;
bananas, apricots, grapes.

Tips on how to live economically and practically

Below are some general tips that will help you save money:

Avoid impulse purchases dictated by immediate desires. Costs must be calculated in advance. When going to the store, it is best to have a pre-made shopping list with you.
Pay attention to promotions in stores. Large chains quite often sell goods at significant discounts. It should be noted that if it is sold at a promotion, this does not mean that this product is of poor quality.
Pay required payments on time. This primarily concerns housing and communal services. You will still have to pay them in full, and in case of late payments, penalties cannot be avoided.
Don't take loans. Paying off debt on loans, as well as interest on it, with low incomes is an extremely difficult task, since in order to avoid delays, a pensioner will have to save even on food and medicine, which will inevitably lead to serious health problems.

The standard of living of Russian pensioners is very low. The real size of the pension, even by domestic standards, is very low. In this situation, many older people have to continue working after retirement age. And those of them who cannot work for health reasons are forced to live in austerity mode.

How to save on utilities

Pay through Sberbank-online . If you, like most Russians, pay for your utilities through Sberbank, then it is most profitable to do it through Sberbank online. In this case, you will not be charged a commission, and you will save a lot of time.

Install meters . Pay utility bills according to the meters. Since recently, the cost of utilities has been growing exponentially, it is worth thinking about installing meters and paying for the resources used.

Check your meters at home . Any meters require periodic verification. The most economical way is not to replace the meter, but to have it checked at home. For comparison, ask the service organization for the cost of replacement and the cost of verification, the benefit will be obvious.

Do a recalculation . If you are away from home for more than 5 days, you can recalculate your utility bills. This is beneficial for those who spend the whole summer at the dacha or a lot of time on business trips. But this makes sense if you don't have meters installed yet. Recalculation can be done within 30 days after return. If you are eligible, take a subsidy to pay for housing and communal services!

We improve living conditions with available means

We cannot do without activity and optimism. Believe me, it is much healthier and healthier to rejoice at a half-filled glass of water than to look with longing at a half-empty glass.

So we are short of livelihood. Fellow citizens advise:

Find out about regional social assistance opportunities:

search on local websites for addresses and telephone numbers of public protection services; social programs of social security agencies, maybe promotions; conditions for applying for a subsidy (considerably saves rent costs); any one-time assistance; clarify which categories are eligible for preferential payments for housing and communal services in the region;
Perhaps, at one time, past merits were not taken into account, and you can ask again whether the time has come to issue a “Veteran of Labor” certificate; in some regions it provides really great benefits. Working pensioners increase the length of service required to obtain the title of veteran (subject to other conditions). Call and find out. Awards and titles are unlikely to catch up with you;
They recommend contacting the Red Cross Society. As a rule, it is morally more difficult to work for yourself, but drawing the attention of societies and charitable foundations to the plight of your neighbor is effective, efficient and, most importantly, healing for yourself.

Think about it:

exchange the apartment for a smaller one that is more economical to maintain;
rent a smaller apartment, rent out your own. This enterprise is fraught with the fact that repairs after the housing is completed can absorb all the funds received. Rent out an apartment with a set of conditions for its safety and the property in it (agreement, security deposit, which is returned at the end of the rental period in good condition). Find out as much as possible about potential tenants;
rent one room. This is a controversial issue and requires additional study: a candidate for a guest should be checked or looked for through friends. And even the right person can be difficult to tolerate in your apartment. Then you can try to rent out housing for a day or two or three. For some retirees this has proven acceptable and profitable;
many come to the conclusion that it is easier to survive not alone, i.e. it is cost-effective to create a semi-commercial union with a kindred spirit, combine pensions, move into one apartment, and rent out the second;
go away for some time (summer) to the village, to the dacha, where you manage to live modestly, buying a minimum of food.

Save on products:

Taking into account the smaller needs of an already grown body, you can balance your diet: reduce the amount of sugar; give up sausages (fortunately, modern production makes this possible with ease; more and more often you regret that you bought expensive chemical rubbish); canned food, mayonnaise and other things; eat simple healthy food; use cheap shops; promotions, sales with a 15-20% discount.

Surely residents already know where they can buy food and whose production it is without risk to health. It is advised to purchase products wisely, without buying too much.

Here are some examples of menus from families with a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating (you can take something into account):

Breakfast. Porridge on the water. Let's say rice. You can add a spoonful of butter to the porridge. Sunflower will do just fine. Loose tea is better. There is a lot of dust in it, but you can wash it - pour boiling water over it before putting it in the kettle.

Sweets. It is advisable that they are not empty. Dark chocolate is the most suitable product. It is also good because the body simply does not accept it in large quantities.

Coffee. Very wealthy people buy a certain inexpensive type of coffee because it tastes good, for example Horse.

Dinner. Chicken giblet soup: gizzards, hearts, liver, chicken necks.

Boil, drain, cook the broth, chop everything except the necks. Add diced and grated potatoes (for thickness), rice, or cabbage, season as usual. We get a soup that is healthier than concentrated lagmans.

Dinner. Potatoes, rice, cabbage (you should eat less of it, endocrinologists say), buckwheat, pasta, beans, lentils as a side dish and baked, stewed, fried fish or meat. And the vegetable proteins of legumes are perfectly absorbed in a healthy body and do not require the addition of meat so that there is no excess protein.

How to save money on your phone

Call on Skype . Skype is a program installed on a computer that allows you to communicate anywhere in the world with any person absolutely free and without time limits. Calls are made from computer to computer. Of course, using the program you can make calls to a telephone (both cell and landline), but such calls are paid. The program is installed very easily.

Pay less for your home phone . Each region has its own local telephone operator. The subscriber usually has the opportunity to choose a tariff plan.

Change tariffs on your cell phone . I recommend reviewing the tariffs provided by your mobile operator once every six months. Perhaps he had a better offer. Moreover, you can change the tariff without losing your phone number, even if you switch to another operator.

Send SMS for free . There are many services for sending free SMS on the Internet. Even Yandex and Google have such services - they really save a lot of money!