I live an abundant life on a small, private pension.

I live an abundant life on a small, private pension.

This website provides tips and encouragement for others that want to simplify their life, reduce consumerism, reduce the waste of the planet’s resources, and be more content with what they already have.

Recipes & Food
Saving Money
Toni G

Hello, I’m Toni.

Being frugal is not about deprivation and ‘being cheap’. It involves making the best use of your resources and skills to enable you to have more choices in how you live your life.

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A simple, frugal life does not have to involve feeling poor without luxuries, or be just about surviving.

You can feel rich in so many other ways. Through planning, having a positive mindset, using nature’s resources, and by reducing waste, it is possible to thrive, and live your best life, even on a small income.

Simple.

Stay close to nature in all that you do.

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Frugal.

Mindfully use your money and resources.

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Heart.

Life.

Find joy every day, make time for self care, and be your authentic self.

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Latest from my blog

  • Pickie lunches and teas

    Published On: April 5, 2025Categories: Light Meals

    Pickie lunches and teas are something that we like to do to use up all of our fridge gravel and bits and pieces.  It feels really decadent and we do it if friends are coming.  [...]

  • Grow lettuce and save money

    Published On: April 3, 2025Categories: Growing Food, Saving money on food

    I don't buy lettuce. Instead I grow my own, inside in winter, and outside in summer.  I have always grown lettuce, even when I had a flat without a garden.  Lettuce seeds are so cheap [...]

  • Garlic Bread

    Published On: April 3, 2025Categories: Recipes, Saving money on food

    We were having an Italian style meal this evening.  I wanted some garlic bread but we did not have any garlic.  I therefore made it with wild garlic.  I had been lucky in that we [...]

  • 5 quick tasks that saved me money and food waste

    Published On: April 3, 2025Categories: Saving money on food, saving waste

    We have been away on a small break and I had brought back left over food. We were sell catering and cooked all of our own meals to save money. So many people tell me [...]

  • Ratatouille

    Published On: April 2, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Mains, Recipes

    Ratatouille is one of the meals that we like to eat all summer.  It tastes so fresh, and I can make it from ingredients in my garden.  I am guessing that French would put their [...]

  • Falafels

    Published On: March 29, 2025Categories: Healthy food, Recipes

    We use lots of different recipes for falafels, depending on what I have in the cupboards.  I have been asked for a recipe, and this is one that we made the other day.  Usually I [...]

  • Don’t give ‘stuff’ for Mother’s Day

    Published On: March 28, 2025Categories: Living Simply, Saving Money

    It is Mother's Day here on Sunday in the UK.  I am hard to buy a gift for as being older, I no longer need more 'stuff'. In fact I am trying to declutter my [...]

  • Potatoes

    Published On: March 22, 2025Categories: Growing Food, Nutrition

    Apparently, the potato came to Europe in the 16th century from South America.  It was once a food only eaten by the wealthy, but is now is a common staple in many households. I don't [...]

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Fresh, organic produce on a shoestring.

Growing your own food.

Grow Your Own Food

Slow down, relax and start…

Living simply.

Living Simply

Favourite recipes

Using affordable ingredients and what you already have in the store cupboards, as well as what you can grow and forage.

View all recipes

Salmon.

Salmon Mediterranean kebabs.

Ripe blackberries.

Blackberry crumble.

Lemon balm iced tea.

Lemon balm iced tea.

Four Lollies.

Cooling Recipe.

Pasta and tomatoes.

Quick cheap pasta dish.

Herbs and pan.

Preserving herbs.

Padding out salads.

Padding out salads.

Pasties a frugal filling meal.

Pasties – a frugal filling meal.

You might not be able to control how much money you have, but you can control what you do with it.

I hate to throw left over food away, there’s almost always a meal you can make with it. Once you change your mindset, it’s surprising what you can save with a little thought and a little planning.

Saving Money