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

  • Planning our condiments and preserves.

    Published On: May 17, 2025Categories: Preserves, Saving Money

    During the year we make condiments and other useful items for the larder, depending on what we can grow, forage, or purchase for a good price. I don't make everything each year as I would [...]

  • The Importance of my Victory Garden

    Published On: May 16, 2025Categories: Growing Food

    Growing food is not a hobby for me. Just as people planted ‘victory’ gardens during the war to stay healthy and fed, I do the same now. My income is not enough for me to [...]

  • Keeping a full pantry for little money

    Published On: May 16, 2025Categories: Saving money on food

    My pantry and freezer are always full, despite my food budget being below £700 a year. I think that it is so important to have a stock of food as we never know what is [...]

  • Rhubarb, ginger and custard sundae.

    Published On: May 9, 2025Categories: Desserts, Recipes

    I needed a quick dessert when my daughter and family came for a meal. I couldn't be bothered to bake as I wanted to spend the day in the garden. I therefore made this quick [...]

  • Gluten free quiche.

    Published On: May 8, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Recipes

    We are trying not to go to the supermarket, and stretch the ingredients that we already have to last another month. I love quiche during the summer but didn't have any wraps and didn't want [...]

  • Thankful for WWll cookery knowledge

    Published On: May 8, 2025Categories: Growing Food, Saving money on food, saving waste

    Today is the 80th anniversary of VE day. Spending a lot of time with my grand parents as a child, I automatically picked up some of the war time habits and knowledge in my food [...]

  • Making meals from a half price pork joint

    Published On: April 30, 2025Categories: Saving money on food

    In the UK at Easter and Christmas time. half price joints can often be found in the supermarkets.  Sometimes I buy beef ones and sometimes I buy pork ones.  My friend said to me that [...]

  • Growing from supermarket food

    Published On: April 30, 2025Categories: Growing Food, Saving money on food

    I apologise that I have not posted for a while but I have been sent a few curve balls recently, including my lap top packing in. I am attempting to write this on my phone [...]

View More

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