The last 2 grocery shops of my 4 week State Pension cycle. The sums so far.

Hi,my name is Tania and I'm 68 years old and living on my UK State Pension for the next year, I'll be saving my Civil Service Pension. I'll be squeezing every single penny I can out of my pension, making it go as far as I can. I'm a keen gardener, growing my own fruit and veg. I do the majority of my home maintenance and DIY. I like cooking and believe in cooking once and eating 2/3/4 times! I love finding good healthy food that can be produced frugally. Join me on my journey to simplify my life, save money and stay fit.
#lifestyle​​​ #budgeting​​​ #budgetfood​​​ #frugal​​​ #healthy​​​ #frugalliving​​​ #charityshopping​​​ #cooking​​​ #frugalityislife​​​ #simpleliving​​​ #money​​​ #pension​​​ #keepingfit​​​ #pensioners​​​ #simplelifestyle​​​ #frugality​​​ #batchcooking​​​ #gardening​​​ #mealplanning​​​
Contact:[e-mail]

[@angelasmith3830]

Thanks Tania, You are very wise and are inspiring me to watch my money and figure. Would you discuss your eating and hobbies more? x

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Thank you,I'll be covering vegetable gardening, once the growing season arrives. Yes, I'll probably do a Q&A at some point in the near future. Thanks again. X

[@debraraby4376]

Dear Tania, I'm not the slightest bit surprised that your channel has kicked off, you truly are inspirational, well to me at least. I love your philosophy of not 'going in too hard' as that makes things seem doable. As for your camera skills, just let that sink in, you have camera skills!!! I'm also impressed at your exercise regime and how your hair is so nice after all that pool water is amazing too.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Thank you, that's very kind. Changing habits little by little is definitely a better way to achieve results. X

[@patmartin9727]

I too am not surprised the channel has taken off very informative videos, interesting to people like me who already live frugally and budget my money. I am sure it will also be very helpful to anyone who is starting out on their frugal journey.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

​@patmartin9727 Thank you. X

[@fionaH101]

You've got no need to apologise for anything Tania. I'm grateful to have someone like you who is more relatable, both in your lifestyle and being down to earth. Your camera work is fine and a lot better than many of us would be able to do - well me anyway! ps it would've been rude to not buy those mince pies 😂 They sounded delicious.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Thank you that's very kind. The mince pies were so good x 😂

[@jacintaohare312]

Thank you Tania for your entertaining video. I,m definitely a fan of your channel. ❤

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Thank you so much! X

[@lindab3249]

Please don’t worry about the fat in coconut. It’s MCT ( medium chain tryglicerides) and is known to be a great source of fuel for the brain and can help to stave off dementia. I would absolutely buy that if it was offered here where I live. I actually use a little coconut oil in coffee for the same benefit. Wonderful food!

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Good to know. Thank you. x

[@DreamlandHollywood]

That really is so true! ❤

[@debraraby4376]

Dear All, and forgive me if you already know this, but tomato puree is a really cheap and very nutritious way to get a portion of veg a day. I have a tablespoon most days and because the tomato's are cooked the lycopene ratio is better absorbed. I'm no nutritionist so please look into this yourself before trying. The organic tomato puree is actually often a similar price and lasts at least a week for 2 adults. Also, where I live I'm lucky enough to have a nearby farm that sells eggs much, much cheaper than the supermarket. I will often have x 4 boiled eggs for breakfast, but only eat x 1 yolk. That's 24gm of high quality protein for very few calories and fills me up. As i said please don't go by what I say but above might be worth considering if it's relevant/safe for your body.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

That's a great tip. Thanks for taking the time to comment. X

[@patmartin9727]

Great video again very informative for anyone new to budgeting. Liked the idea of a small amount of chocolate on your tea loaf will try that one. My problem will be how to save the rest of the bar. If it’s in the fridge or cupboard it will call my name until I eat it. I don’t shop at Asda very often but next time I go I will look for the gift card as it seems like a good idea.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Look out for my video 19th were I go over my finances fir the 4 weeks. I'll mention the Asda Christmas card again. I ended up shredding the whole bar of choc and adding it to the tea loaf mix because i dont add sugar. What a difference that made, lovely. I think I'll use dark choc next time. X

[@0409clearly]

I get my State Pension next month. Can’t bloomin wait. I also get a small NHS pension which will help top it up (I’m 3 years short of full entitlement, retired early on grounds of ill health) we’ve just downsized house wise to try to save money there too. Good luck on your journey to save money.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

🎉🎉 Well done on getting your state pension. Sounds like you've got things in hand for a more comfortable retirement. X

[@ColinAtkins-j3h]

Enjoy your pension I retired in 2018 Ive still got four years to wait missed out on 66 by a few months enjoy your retirement Tek care. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦊

[@muttersmenu2422]

The mince pie’s were a tasty bargain 😊, enjoy ✔️ The slow cooker pork sounds very nice and thrifty. Nice selection of groceries. Good video ⛄️👍🇦🇺

[@robinbanks9497]

Thanks Tania ,another great video x

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

You're welcome. X

[@carolwoodward6141]

Hello from Virginia 🇺🇸👋

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Hello and Welcome. X

[@Joan-COYI]

Thank you Tania, you’ve e inspired me with your advice and tips. I enjoyed this video very much and your camera work is very good.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

I'm so glad! X

[@carolking4124]

Hiya, I really like watching your channel, which is funny because I'm not that old, don't have a budget to stick to, but I really think its cool what your are doing, and you are not going without the essentials. Anyways, wanted to say two things, your house revamp looks very elegant, and if you get an m&s voucher later in the year, buy a full fat greek style vanilla yoghurt, you can't repurpose it in a main dish sadly, but it is so delicious. 🙂

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Thank you, it is good yoghurt. X

[@joannaa3927]

Thank you

[@gailgulliver8970]

Thank you Tanya things are definitely getting more expensive now this month I did have to get my car washed it’s to cold for me to do it myself till summer I’m 70 but young spirit lol the car wash people have put it up another £2 so I will be looking to go threw the machine once’s I know it’s only£2 but add it to all the other things it chips away at the budget I used to smoke and packed in 9 yrs ago because they were £10 a pkt I always ask how much they are now £17 + I used to be better off then but now it’s not so different but I just thank goodness I’m smoke free have a lovely week x

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Well done on quitting, its not easy. Yes its been far too cold to wash cars. Small victories regarding the ever increasing cost of living is good. x

[@Beck-u7g]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! You'll save a small fortune!

[@Truth1561]

My daughter used to work for 'fruit fir the office'. Fruit and veg need to be in the ripening room ( maintained at a certain temp,humidity,light( for a certain period when it arrives at the warehouse. Anything removed too quickly will never ever ripen.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Yep, my teeth can confirm that😂. Thanks for commenting.x

[@christykulwicki4323]

Could you please make you tea loaf on camera one day? I’d love to have a low sugar and low fat treat to make. I have a really sweet tooth and am suppose to stay away due to high cholesterol. Ugh. Your camera work is fine and you will become better with time. Don’t apologize! There’s a lot of us out here that really need your information so we can navigate low spending gracious living in retirement. Thank you for all the pointers and sincerity. See you soon. 😊

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Yes I will do. Its a very simple thing to make. I'm in the same situation, looking at fat content and sugar. Its great to have something that resembles cake without the fat and the sugar. x

[@christykulwicki4323]

@ absolutely! Especially if you can add dried fruit in if you desire. Thank you very much.

[@SJJ266]

It would be a crime to leave those mince pies in store 😂 bit of elmlea a lovely pudding for a cold evening. I save all my nectar points / or store reward for the year to pay for my xmas food week budget from Jan to December i often have around £100 to splash out on what feels like a free shop.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Great work, what's is better than free! Yes, it would have been a crime to leave those mince pies behind. X

[@jeangenie340]

Hi there love the channel could you explain how you keep your accounts and do you do meal plans xx

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

I'll be doing a financial catch up on Sunday 19th. I keep a budget book and a food spending book. These are reconciled every 4 weeks to make sure I'm on track. Thank you for your comment. x

[@jeangenie340]

@ thank you so much

[@christinebrush4399]

Greetings from a very snowy day in North Bay Ontario. I am seeing my birthplace (Brum) has been getting a bit of weather too. May I ask roughly what size your notebook is please? It's hard to tell. Thank you for your work and content. Again, I hope you will continue after your year experiment is up especially with the cooking:):)

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Yes, I understand lots of the Midlands and North have had snow. We just got the severe frost. My food notebook is A6. My budget book is 6" x 8". If I'm still enjoying it after the year is up, I will continue. Take care. X

[@lynnhensley4326]

Hello from North Carolina on a Monday morning. Cold in the high 20s which keeps our inch of snow icy. First measurable snow in over 1000 days. Great video.❤

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

​@lynnhensley4326 hello and welcome. X

[@sandrasotorivera1657]

Hello from Costa RIca.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Hello and welcome. x

[@mrspinballpotter2299]

I would be interested to know what you are making for your meals with your shopping as there doesn’t seem to be much.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

I suppose you could say January is a low spend. I'm only buying stuff that enables me to make meals from either my freezer or store cupboard. I have a freezer full of food that needs using. Thanks for your comment x

[@iainmccree6270]

wow

[@carolking4124]

Is the State pension a set level? or does it vary person. I used to go with my Gran and collect hers when I was little, sure it was £65 back then haha

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

There's a few different levels according to qualifying year. I believe before 2016 it's the old rate. I'm on the newer rate which is higher. X

[@margothartwell6195]

Very useful tips and ideas. I am currently trying an eating regime of not eating ultra processed foods. The nutritionist who wrote the book I am 'following' is very much of a 80/20 eating plan. I think your recipes pretty much fall into this category as nearly all of your ingredients are not ultra processed.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Occasionally, I use something processed but if you're eating no UPF 80% its still a win. Thanks for your comment. x

[@christinevolante9773]

Hi Tania, hello from Australia, could you tell me what an Asda card is please we dont have Asda here.

[@lynnecameron9976]

It is a loyalty card, you get points for your shopping and you can redeem these points against future shops.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

​@@lynnecameron9976 I like it because it turns into cash straight away.z

[@OhMaryJo]

Your groceries are so much less expensive than in the US!

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Yes, I've had Canadians, Australian s many others say that. X

[@evelynporter6349]

Do you not like wearing a swimming cap at the pool so you don’t need to wash your hair so often?

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

I'm not a fan of caps. I wish I was. Thanks for your comment. X

[@patmartin9727]

I think the fat in your check let works out at 30g 5g per 6th of bar is 5g x 6 equals 30 g.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

Thanks for doing the maths, appreciated. I used it all in the mix of my tea loaf as I don't add sugar, and it turned out lovely possibly due to added some fat too. X

[@patmartin9727]

Going to Lidl today so I will buy chocolate and try the cake.

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

​@@patmartin9727 enjoy. X

[@jacquelinearcher1158]

Fat is good…it keeps you full for longer..it must be good fats…

[@LivingonaUKStatePension]

I agree, it does. I know when I have fish and chip etc I don't need anything else. Its so hard listening to your GP and Scientists to work out what you should do. X