"I buy everything on sale." A Belarusian pensioner shared what she can afford while living in emigration in Warsaw

Halina [name changed] retired in Belarus five years ago. From the Belarusian state, she receives a monthly pension of 800 rubles — which is approximately 1,000 zlotys, or 235 euros at today's exchange rate. In addition, the pensioner works as a nanny for a family, where she earns 4,000 zlotys [935 euros]. She takes on additional temporary jobs whenever possible.

As a result, Halina's total monthly income is about 5,000 zlotys [1,170 euros].

Half of her income goes to housing

In Warsaw, Halina rents a small apartment of 27 sq. meters. It costs the pensioner 2,500 zlotys [585 euros], including utilities.

— The furniture is barely holding up, and repairs are needed. But I live very carefully, — says the woman. — [Currently] I am negotiating with the landlady, who wants to raise my rent.

Internet and mobile communication cost Halina another approximately 200 zlotys.

The Belarusian woman spends 55 zlotys [13 euros] monthly on transport — she buys a travel pass for all types of transport at a discounted rate for pensioners.

"I buy milk, cereals, some meat, fruits, and vegetables"

Halina doesn't go to grocery stores often. She doesn't keep track of food expenses. She says sometimes it's 20 zlotys at a time, sometimes 50 [4.6 - 11.7 euros]. But this is with the understanding that the woman has to save money.

— I buy the cheapest things, I take everything that's on sale. Usually — milk, cereals, some meat, fruits, and vegetables. In general, I don't buy what I want, but what I can afford, — she says. — And I don't go to cafes or restaurants at all.

"In one second-hand shop, a coat will cost one zloty, in another — 20"

The pensioner doesn't update her wardrobe often either. And when she needs to, she prefers second-hand shops where clothes are cheaper.

— The amount [on the receipt] depends on the second-hand shop: in one, a coat will cost one zloty, and in another — 20 [4.6 euros], — she says. — That's how much it comes out to be.

The woman buys cosmetics and hygiene products as needed and also when they are on sale.

She has to pay extra for examinations

Halina has a basic package at the LuxMed medical center, which costs 266 zlotys a month [62 euros]. However, it doesn't cover all tests and procedures, so the pensioner often has to pay extra for examinations.

Additionally, she has health problems that can only be resolved with an expensive operation. Halina currently doesn't have the funds for it.

— For example, they refused to remove the yellow spots (macules) from my eye under NFZ (state insurance). And that would cost from 2,500 to 10,000 zlotys for one injection [585 — 2,340 euros], — she says. — I am not ready to spend such amounts.

Zumba, bachata, and free cinema

Even with limited finances, Halina tries to find opportunities for leisure in the Polish capital, choosing free entertainment and events.

— Many free museums on different days of the week, free music in various places in Warsaw both in winter and summer. Dances — zumba, bachata — on Sundays, — she says. — Yesterday I was at the cinema where Oscar-winning films [are shown] for free. The next screening will be on March 25. And in between, you can watch Polish films for free at Dom Sztuki (Art House) in [Warsaw district] Ursynów.

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