If your on a pension, the Housing Place in your state *should* cover you entire bond, the only way you have to pay for the bond is if when you damage the propety nd the RE take itout of your bond when you leave.

I got very cheap connectiong with elect and also discounts each quater on the bill, just tell them when you sign up you have pension card. You also get a telephone allowance (but you prob already get that now)

I found that I always mentioned my pension card, you will be amazed who discounts. (some shops even so pension shopping days here where you recieve 5% off)