Summary

In elderly rural communities and small towns, Frugal Living are subsisting on pensions and very low household incomes as either married empty nesters or separated, divorced or widowed older singles. However the persona is split between those who own their home—and so have minimal housing expenses—and those who have downsized into cheap rental accommodation. Frugal Living are generally undereducated and technophobic, concerned by crime and corruption and the pace of change. They have no grand plans for the future, and are instead contented by smaller habitual pleasures like a flutter at the TAB or a trip to see the grandkids.

Walk with Me

My mother and father came to Australia shortly after the Great War, and had four other children before I was born in 1927. I have five children, 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Lord knows how many great-nieces and nephews are out there.

I’ve had a pretty good life, I’d say. My husband Bernie was a metalworker and a very decent man, rest his soul. I’ve lived in this area for almost twenty years now, and it suits me well. I might not be as fast as I used to be, but I can still get around. This is my home and I don’t want to move. There’s a nice young woman who comes around twice a week to bring some groceries, and help me out with the sheets and other chores. We often have a cup of tea and a chat as well.

I’ve always enjoyed the cinema, and my daughter Jill takes me every couple of weeks or so. On other days there’s normally a good old favourite on the telly. Some of those other shows on I don’t care for. I still enjoy watching the cricket in summer—reminds me of Bernie. The local community centre runs a bus trip into town once a week, which is good. Usually just the RSL for lunch and an hour or two in the pokie room, but it’s an outing.

A young man called me yesterday trying to flog some new electricity deal. I think he was from India or somewhere, like they are nowdays. Still, we had a nice chat.