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.

Toni G signature.

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.

Frugal.

Mindfully use your money and resources.

Heart.

Life.

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

Latest from my blog

  • 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 [...]

  • Ways to reduce food waste

    Published On: March 17, 2025Categories: Saving money on food, saving waste

    This week is food waste action week here in the UK. I pride myself in having no food waste in my house.  We use everything that we buy, get from the community fridge, or we [...]

  • Chicken Kievs

    Published On: March 15, 2025Categories: Foraging For Food, Recipes

    My kitchen smelt gorgeous tonight as I made chicken Kievs for Mr S.  I had picked lots of wild garlic earlier to take to the community fridge, and wanted to use what was left up.  [...]

  • Keeping food simple

    Published On: March 15, 2025Categories: Living Simply, Saving money on food

    Stream lining anything makes it easier to manage.  This is why I like to keep my food simple.  If I was to make lots of difficult and sophisticated meals every week, it would cost a [...]

  • Don’t rely on plug vegetables this summer.

    Published On: March 13, 2025Categories: Growing Food

    Here in the UK there is a distinct lack of plug or small vegetable plants.  Our local nursery usually has lots of peppers, tomatoes, beans, peas and sweet corn plants at this time of year.  [...]

  • Cheesy waffles

    Published On: March 11, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Recipes, Uncategorized

    This is a nice recipe if you have children or grandchildren.  We are big kids and so make it for ourselves as well.  It can accompany any meal, or be a quick breakfast with an [...]

  • A plan to deal with increased prices.

    Published On: March 10, 2025Categories: Saving Money

    All of my bills are rising.  As I get my annual statements I see that things like Council Tax have risen by 15%,  and my water bill is up by £120.  My insurances have risen, [...]

  • Beetroot powder from vacuum packs

    Published On: March 6, 2025Categories: Nutrition, Preserves, Saving money on food

    Mr S loves beetroot and it is full of nutrients.  We do grow 2 crops of beetroot but I don't have enough room to grow as much as I would like.  I do not like [...]

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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.

Salmon.
Ripe blackberries.
Lemon balm iced tea.
Four Lollies.
Pasta and tomatoes.
Herbs and pan.
Padding out salads.
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