The only new year resolution I managed to keep was when I resolved not to make any more new year resolutions. I also don’t have any definite plans for the year, they ‘gang aft agley’ and I can’t always count on friends to bring them to fruition.

My recent legacy means I have more money than at any time in my life, but my income has been reduced because I no longer qualify for Pension Credit. This means that my annual income does not come close to meeting my expenditure. This is not an immediate problem but something I need to address, I can’t be throwing money at every cause I support and I’m reluctant to commit to regular payments.

I’ve just paid my first electricity bill by direct debit, £206. My next monthly bill will be £278 based on my current usage. I’m still paying in advance and the amount I pay has to ensure I have enough credit to cover the month. This is one expense I need to factor into all my calculations, it would be very difficult for me to reduce my electricity consumption and stay healthy!

Once the weather improves I need to get some major cleaning work done on my flat, hopefully my mobility scooter will enable me to attend a few protests in Leeds and a few recreational outings. A lot will depend on my health and the weather. I also need adequate notification, I can’t just jump in a car to attend a rally at a few hours notice. I’m still reliant on public transport and can’t get back from Leeds after 6.30pm by bus. I’m not sure about trains, it’s a question of how much assistance I can expect when my nearest station is unmanned.

I need to spend a lot of money getting my flat cleaned up, plus the ongoing cost of hiring someone to keep it clean since I can no longer do it myself.

It’s no secret that I’m an alcoholic. I’ve splurged a bit lately – celebrating my legacy plus Christmas, birthday and New Year – and must try to cut back for the sake of my health. My step-brother, younger than me, won the lottery a few years ago but his life ran out before the money did.

I have one debt that I’m paying off at £50 per month, I can afford to pay it off with one payment but must wait for the creditor to contact me for a review as I don’t have details available. I must write a will and arrange for my funeral at some future date.

My mother was approaching 97 when she died, I just turned 77. It’s not unrealistic to expect that I have another 20 years of life ahead of me and I need to plan my finances accordingly.

I’ld love to spend some of the money on a holiday in Scotland visiting some of my social media friends, with a full day in Newcastle to meet my Geordie mates, but the logistics seem insurmountable. I hope to manage a few more local outings and will share what I can.

It was apparent when I started writing that this would be a personal account of my expectations for the coming year. I can speculate about how things might develop politically but I have no specific insight. We just have to see how things go and act accordingly. It will be possible for me to attend protests in Leeds with sufficient notice. I’ve offered to donate to Defend Our Juries to cover the cost of those accused under terrorism legislation travelling down from Leeds and Liverpool to attend 35 minute hearings in Westminster with no jury – a flagrant miscarriage before it starts! I can’t be there, but I want to support those who don’t have the choice?