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

  • Quick, cheap sponge pudding

    Published On: December 2, 2023Categories: Desserts, Recipes

    It has been cold this last week and I have been ill.  As I started eating again I fancied a sponge pudding.  I am living out of my cupboards and so am protective of ingredients [...]

  • Christmas Sausage Roll Wreath.

    Published On: December 1, 2023Categories: Frugal Festivities, Recipes

    Sausage rolls have been a staple of Christmas buffets for decades. I am always banging on about how 'normal', every day food can be made special with just a bit of creativity and this Christmas [...]

  • Sweet and sour without a jar

    Published On: November 22, 2023Categories: Mains, Recipes

    This recipe makes a sweet and sour sauce that is a lot healthier than jars and has no additives. It is quick and easy to make, and often I can make it with what I [...]

  • Is ego stopping you being frugal?

    Published On: November 21, 2023Categories: Saving Money

    I do not understand why there is a stigma about saving money.  In this cost of living crisis, people are trying to hide that they are struggling. They carry on with habits that are making [...]

  • Teaching children to be frugal

    Published On: November 20, 2023Categories: Saving Money

    One of the hardest things I found about living on a low income was that I couldn't treat my kids to everything they wanted. When I split from my youngest's dad we had gone from [...]

  • Tasty, cheap, toad in the hole

    Published On: November 13, 2023Categories: Mains, Recipes

    This is an easy, tasty meal that I used to make on a Sunday instead of a roast when times were hard. I often had to make my toad in the hole with only 4 [...]

  • Easy cookies

    Published On: November 11, 2023Categories: Baking, Recipes

    Mr S made some cookies for a relative whilst I was away.  She loves biscuits but is having trouble biting anything hard at the moment, and so he made her these easy cookies that are [...]

  • 4 emotional blocks to overcome in order to reduce spending

    Published On: November 4, 2023Categories: Saving Money

    Spending money is often linked to our emotions, and how we are feeling.  These emotional triggers are what make us feel compelled to spend.  In order to stop spending it is important that we recognise [...]

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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