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.

Learn more

Frugal.

Mindfully use your money and resources.

Learn more

Heart.

Life.

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

Learn more

Latest from my blog

  • How Rosemary is good for my purse and my health

    Published On: June 22, 2025Categories: Growing Food, Healthy food

    I have lots of big rosemary bushes in my garden, but have never bought any.  They are evergreen and last for years.  The blue flowers are so pretty. Rosemary is easy to propagate and mine [...]

  • Frozen banana bounty treats.

    Published On: June 21, 2025Categories: Snacks

    It has been really hot and sunny recently. I love a cool snack or dessert after a meal but am trying to be a bit more healthy. 😇 As usual, I am trying to save [...]

  • Finding the awe in ordinary

    Published On: June 20, 2025Categories: Living Simply, Wellbeing

    Awe is an emotion that you feel when you are amazed, full of wonder, and feels like you are witnessing something extordinary. It is seen by psychiatrists as being positive for a person's wellbeing. I [...]

  • Strawberry and lemon sorbet

    Published On: June 18, 2025Categories: Desserts

    We had a glut of strawberries which needed using up. I wanted to preserve them by making something refreshing as we are experiencing some hot, sunny days. My daughter and family are coming for a [...]

  • Courgette waffles

    Published On: June 18, 2025Categories: Healthy food, Recipes

    We like waffles. We can batch cook them, freeze them, or store them in the fridge to use during the week. We cook different kinds for different uses, but these are a new savoury one [...]

  • Healthy Magnum

    Published On: June 17, 2025Categories: Recipes, Snacks

    After a busy day in the garden I  was craving a magnum. We had finished all of the ice cream off last week. It is a no spend day today and I am saving my [...]

  • Crystallised ginger

    Published On: June 16, 2025Categories: Baking, Saving money on food

    I love crystallised ginger in my baking but it is an expensive ingredient that I can not afford to buy very often. Sometimes my daughter buys it for me to thank me for helping her [...]

  • How chick peas enhance my diet

    Published On: June 13, 2025Categories: Nutrition, Recipes

    I will hold my hands up. My first 55 years never saw a chick pea pass my lips. Now they form a large part of our monthly meal plans.  The reason is they can be [...]

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.

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