The standard of living of Imam from the aspect of nourishment, residence use of personal means and other life affairs was lower than those who were part of the poor class of the society.
Although he was the leader of a state and he had a political and global personality he was not ready to take the smallest step to make prosper his personal life. To secure the life needs of Imam we had this fear that we should not get a good that due to its high price he would criticize us and he would have an exclamation that would concern us.
Over and over what was happening was this that because of some matters including painting of his home, much consumption of water and electricity and unsuitable use of home means he would question us.
(Source: the book named the mirror of virtue, pp.55 (a memory of Hojat al-Islam Mohammad Ali Ansari)