For Boris Lisitsyn, Russia's financial crisis means less meat, cheese and sausage - hardships the 86-year-old says won't kill him anytime soon.
But for him and the millions of pensioners who make up about a third of Russia's population, rising prices are also spurring anger over declining living standards, threatening a pool of support President Vladimir Putin cannot afford to lose.
Russia's pensioners were once seen as "people we just needed to support" one government official said. But with women able to retire at 55 and men at 60, and health-care improving, many are becoming more forceful in their demands.
It's a trend not lost on Putin, whose role as a protector of stability, social conservatism and generous state spending has won a strong following among the elderly. Their loyalty is now being tested by a financial crisis triggered by low oil prices and Western sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine.
The Russian leader has dismissed any thought of cutting social spending, telling the government this month: "First of all, whatever we do and whatever plans we make, we must ensure the fulfilment of our social commitments."
But even with those commitments met, and increases in benefits promised, life for millions is becoming difficult.
Prices leapt last year in Russia as the rouble crashed 40% against the dollar, dragged lower by plunging prices for the country's key export oil and Western sanctions that have all but shut companies and banks out of global capital markets.
Annual inflation reached 11.4% in December, according to official statistics, with meat up by more than 20% and the retail price of sugar rising 40%.
The average monthly pension stood at 10,029 roubles ($148 U.S. at today's exchange rate) in 2014, the Federal Statistics Service said.
Pensioners say one of the biggest blows from the crisis is the rising price for medicine, most of which are imported. For Nina Frolova, 84, about a fifth of her 15,000-rouble pension goes on medicine. Other outgoings include 1,500 roubles a month on her subsidised Moscow flat, 150-200 on electricity and 350 roubles on the telephone bill.
