From Pennies to Pastures: My Frugal Journey to Countryside Retirement

MelenHirren

Hi everyone! I’m Helen, and I’m delighted to be joining this community of old style like-minded people who appreciate the simply joys and sometime necessities of frugal living. I’ve been reading through some of the discussions here, and it’s so inspiring to see how many people are finding joy, freedom, and purpose through mindful spending, budgeting, and simple living.

I’m in my 50s, married and have a lovely teen daughter that still resides at home. I am currently working towards my goal of retiring to the countryside and being done with the rat race by the time I am 60. I dream of a slower, simpler life surrounded by nature; where my days are filled with crisp morning walks, the smell of fresh coffee, the warmth of a cosy fire, and the pleasure of getting lost in a good book.

To make this dream a reality, I’m embracing frugality not as a sacrifice but as a way to live more intentionally. I’ve learned to appreciate the small joys in life—home-cooked meals, repurposing old items, finding beauty in simplicity, and making thoughtful choices about how I spend my time and money.

Every purchase I make now is weighed against my ultimate goal—financial freedom and a peaceful countryside retirement.

However in the meantime, I do believe that frugality goes hand in hand with slower living—so I am taking the time to enjoy the present moment, appreciating what we do have right now and looking for ways to live as intentional as possible.

My favourite things include a really good cup of coffee (made at home, of course!), a charity shop to peruse around, a walk with my poochies or a cosy evening by the fire with a good book.

I’d love to hear from others who are on a similar path—whether you're working towards an early retirement, embracing frugal and simple living, or just looking for ways to cut costs while still enjoying life. What are your favorite frugal tips? What little luxuries bring you joy without breaking the bank?

Looking forward to chatting and learning from you all!

Helen 😊

MelenHirren

Old Proverb: “The art is not in making money, but in keeping it.”

To kick start the thread off, here are some of the old style frugal living things I have been doing recently to save my money and stretch resources to the max. 

I Use Soap Slivers in a Mesh Bag  – I don’t toss those tiny soap scraps! I collect them in a mesh bag (or an old stocking), and use it as a foamy scrubber in the shower or for hand washing clothes. I normally buy soap over bubble bath or shower gel as they tend to irritate my skin more.

DIY Dry Shampoo with Cornflour  – I skip the pricey dry shampoo and use cornflour to freshen my roots if I am running late and don't have time to wash and blow dry my long hair.

I Have Turned Old Tights into Hair Ties  – Instead of buying elastic bands, I cut up old tights or stockings into thin strips. They make soft, snag-free hair ties that last forever. Also can be used as elastic bands for other household and garden chores.

I Use Instant Mashed Potatoes to Thicken Sauces  – I use a spoonful of instant potatoes or leftover mashed potatoes to thicken soups and sauces. Especially effective in the slow cooker as that tends to add moisture to your dish.

Cheaper Substitute for Butter in Baking – When I have ran out of butter on a no spend day, I have used applesauce, a mashed banana, or even mayonnaise in cakes and muffins. 

Regrown Vegetables – I don’t always toss vegetable scraps! I have regrown spring onions on the window sill, lettuce, celery, and even carrot tops in water.

I Make "Leftover Soup" Once a Week – I keep a container in the freezer for veggie scraps, meat trimmings, and leftovers. When it’s full, it gets turned it into a delicious mystery soup, Often topped with grated cheese and served with crusty bread as a main meal. Yum!

I Charge My Phone in Airplane Mode – Your phone charges twice as fast in airplane mode, cutting down on electricity usage - so a good friend told me. It does appear to charge faster too. 

I Use the “One Month Rule” for Non-Essentials – Before buying anything non-essential, I write it down and wait a month. If I still want it (and can afford it), I go ahead and buy it. Most of the time, the urge has passed

I Have Turned Old Clothes into Reusable "Paper" Towels – I cut up old t-shirts or faded pillow cases into squares and use them instead of paper towels for cleaning.

I Keep a "No-Spend Day" Once a Week – I pick one day a week where I don’t spend a penny—no shopping, no takeout, no online purchases, not even a packet of mints. It sometimes grows to two or three days a week, however one no spend day a week is a definite.

Olio - I use Olio on occasion and this was last week's bounty, They were such pretty colours I decided to take a photograph. I often put things on the none food section of the site. Such a great way to declutter and help others.

Time for a boxset with the hubby. 

Until the next time lovely folks. 

[Deleted User]

Dreams do come true.
Looking forward to more of this thread, I am on a journey fo something similar, and it is true not necessarily about bringing more money in (for me I can't) it is about making our money work really hard. Good luck with it.

MelenHirren

[Deleted User] said:

Dreams do come true.
Looking forward to more of this thread, I am on a journey fo something similar, and it is true not necessarily about bringing more money in (for me I can't) it is about making our money work really hard. Good luck with it.

Yes! With planning and persistence most things are possible. What are your hopeful future plans?

We have been sprucing up most rooms in our house, decorating on a budget and making minor improvements over the last two years with the aim to sell and buy a cheaper property at some point this year.  This would enable us to become mortgage free and a step closer to early retirement. BUT there are currently so many ducks to get in a row... awkward family members, my work wanting to cut hours, schooling to consider... selling may not take place until 2026. A tad frustrating as where we are currently is eating into our money and is no longer an ideal location.
Still, I am working through each day with diligence and gratitude... keeping my eye on the long term goal. 

MelenHirren

Happy Valentine's Day to all those that celebrate it... Happy Friday to those that don't.

I am so over this perma-grey sky we have had most of January & February... it's like being in a grey airless bubble.
The garden doesn't appear to have noticed, with snowdrops and crocus pushing through and even the early daffs are threatening to bloom. I have seen a few ladybirds too, they must have finished hibernating for the winter... not too early I hope for their little sakes.

I started today with my usual, hand ground coffee in a cafetiere. It is my main treat of the day. The beans are organic and I do love a rich black coffee first thing in the morning. The organic beans are currently £4 a bag in Asda.
It lasts us a full week, so not too expensive; 29 pence each, per day it costs my husband and I to have our favourite brew in the morning.
We do use the grinds for a second brew... and then compost them. 
No work today (my hours have been temporarily cut due to financial difficulties the business is having,) so I have made the most of my free morning and meal planned for next week.
Some of the cheap meals on the menu include bubble & squeak with sausages, lentil soup with dumplings and spicy corned beef hash served with corn chips.

I have also soaked stained teacups and coffee cups in a bleached solution (as I do weekly) and then used the same solution, diluted further to mop the kitchen floor and the utility room. We have two dogs and this weather has made most dog walks an absolute bog trot.

After hoovering all the carpets in the house, the hubster has taken the 9 year old Dyson to his shed/workshop to clean the filters and detangle the beater bar. Both my daughter and I have long hair and I do believe the spring moult may be with us... especially with the grumbling that is coming from the shed. 😆

Lunch today is going to be Spanish omelette, using half a tin of sliced new potatoes (with a best before date of 03/25), spring onions, a wrinkled red pepper, a good shake of salt and smoked paprika and 3 whisked eggs.

This afternoon will be a muddy dog walk whilst the weather stays dry and then a update of February's budget to ensure I am on track.

That's my frugal day... how is yours going?

For Valentine's...

[Deleted User]

MelenHirren said:

[Deleted User] said:

Dreams do come true.
Looking forward to more of this thread, I am on a journey fo something similar, and it is true not necessarily about bringing more money in (for me I can't) it is about making our money work really hard. Good luck with it.

Yes! With planning and persistence most things are possible. What are your hopeful future plans?

We have been sprucing up most rooms in our house, decorating on a budget and making minor improvements over the last two years with the aim to sell and buy a cheaper property at some point this year.  This would enable us to become mortgage free and a step closer to early retirement. BUT there are currently so many ducks to get in a row... awkward family members, my work wanting to cut hours, schooling to consider... selling may not take place until 2026. A tad frustrating as where we are currently is eating into our money and is no longer an ideal location.
Still, I am working through each day with diligence and gratitude... keeping my eye on the long term goal. 

Thanks doe asking, my circumstances are completely different, I had to start my life over (now 57) with nothing,, in a rental now, just want to live more frugally in general as I want to get out of an apartment and in a house with a garden, but that will cost more so I need to scrimp and save more, and I will do it.

[Deleted User]

MelenHirren said:

Happy Valentine's Day to all those that celebrate it... Happy Friday to those that don't.

I am so over this perma-grey sky we have had most of January & February... it's like being in a grey airless bubble.
The garden doesn't appear to have noticed, with snowdrops and crocus pushing through and even the early daffs are threatening to bloom. I have seen a few ladybirds too, they must have finished hibernating for the winter... not too early I hope for their little sakes.

I started today with my usual, hand ground coffee in a cafetiere. It is my main treat of the day. The beans are organic and I do love a rich black coffee first thing in the morning. The organic beans are currently £4 a bag in Asda.
It lasts us a full week, so not too expensive; 29 pence each, per day it costs my husband and I to have our favourite brew in the morning.
We do use the grinds for a second brew... and then compost them. 
No work today (my hours have been temporarily cut due to financial difficulties the business is having,) so I have made the most of my free morning and meal planned for next week.
Some of the cheap meals on the menu include bubble & squeak with sausages, lentil soup with dumplings and spicy corned beef hash served with corn chips.

I have also soaked stained teacups and coffee cups in a bleached solution (as I do weekly) and then used the same solution, diluted further to mop the kitchen floor and the utility room. We have two dogs and this weather has made most dog walks an absolute bog trot.

After hoovering all the carpets in the house, the hubster has taken the 9 year old Dyson to his shed/workshop to clean the filters and detangle the beater bar. Both my daughter and I have long hair and I do believe the spring moult may be with us... especially with the grumbling that is coming from the shed. 😆

Lunch today is going to be Spanish omelette, using half a tin of sliced new potatoes (with a best before date of 03/25), spring onions, a wrinkled red pepper, a good shake of salt and smoked paprika and 3 whisked eggs.

This afternoon will be a muddy dog walk whilst the weather stays dry and then a update of February's budget to ensure I am on track.

That's my frugal day... how is yours going?

For Valentine's...

You are doing very well, your meals sound lovely, and I myself do like a nice coffee, I am not going to buy the cheapest nastiest coffee if I won't enjoy it, coffee is a simple pleasure, I am very savvy with shopping.

[Deleted User]

I have started threads myself and abandoned but going to keep up following and posting on this thread, it is good to have encouragement whilst persuing goals and dreams.
My local Boots has had a bit of a makeover and change around, I discovered a clearance section upstairs ( I am hoping it is going to be a permanant feature) I found these boxes of ex large Colgate total for 75p each, I am a single household so these will last me a while, there were loads on the shelf, I always consider others and never clear the shelves like some do. I am going to pop down each week to see was on the clearance section and start a cupboard for stock piling such bargains I am happy to spend like this as such big savings in the long run.

MelenHirren

[Deleted User] said:

I have started threads myself and abandoned but going to keep up following and posting on this thread, it is good to have encouragement whilst persuing goals and dreams.
My local Boots has had a bit of a makeover and change around, I discovered a clearance section upstairs ( I am hoping it is going to be a permanant feature) I found these boxes of ex large Colgate total for 75p each, I am a single household so these will last me a while, there were loads on the shelf, I always consider others and never clear the shelves like some do. I am going to pop down each week to see was on the clearance section and start a cupboard for stock piling such bargains I am happy to spend like this as such big savings in the long run.

I too started my life over agai  in my ea

It's lovely to be sharing this thread with you, we can keep each other going... inspire and encourage. And any other fantastic Frugalistas  that want to join in of course.

That is an excellent price 75p for a large tube. I don't think I can remember that far back as to when a large tube was that cheap. They should definitely keep you going for a while. Well spotted you. 
That sounds intriguing... a clearance area in Boots! Let's hope it stays.

I too started over with very little as I turned 40... escaping an abusive relationship. I had a small rented flat and a young baby... it was so hard at times, but I wouldn't have swapped that peace of mind and freedom for anything.

Keep dreaming of your new lovely little house with a garden... yes,  you will definitely do it. ❤️

[Deleted User]

MelenHirren said:

[Deleted User] said:

I have started threads myself and abandoned but going to keep up following and posting on this thread, it is good to have encouragement whilst persuing goals and dreams.
My local Boots has had a bit of a makeover and change around, I discovered a clearance section upstairs ( I am hoping it is going to be a permanant feature) I found these boxes of ex large Colgate total for 75p each, I am a single household so these will last me a while, there were loads on the shelf, I always consider others and never clear the shelves like some do. I am going to pop down each week to see was on the clearance section and start a cupboard for stock piling such bargains I am happy to spend like this as such big savings in the long run.

I too started my life over agai  in my ea

It's lovely to be sharing this thread with you, we can keep each other going... inspire and encourage. And any other fantastic Frugalistas  that want to join in of course.

That is an excellent price 75p for a large tube. I don't think I can remember that far back as to when a large tube was that cheap. They should definitely keep you going for a while. Well spotted you. 
That sounds intriguing... a clearance area in Boots! Let's hope it stays.

I too started over with very little as I turned 40... escaping an abusive relationship. I had a small rented flat and a young baby... it was so hard at times, but I wouldn't have swapped that peace of mind and freedom for anything.

Keep dreaming of your new lovely little house with a garden... yes,  you will definitely do it. ❤️

Thankyou for your kind words and well done you on being strong in your journey.
I will follow this thread with much interest, it is good to support and encourage each other as it will get hard at times. I have just started this thread : 

Stock piling and bargains and freebies to help with the cost of living crisis

Just to document my bargains and will help keep me focused.

MelenHirren

[Deleted User] said:

MelenHirren said:

[Deleted User] said:

I have started threads myself and abandoned but going to keep up following and posting on this thread, it is good to have encouragement whilst persuing goals and dreams.
My local Boots has had a bit of a makeover and change around, I discovered a clearance section upstairs ( I am hoping it is going to be a permanant feature) I found these boxes of ex large Colgate total for 75p each, I am a single household so these will last me a while, there were loads on the shelf, I always consider others and never clear the shelves like some do. I am going to pop down each week to see was on the clearance section and start a cupboard for stock piling such bargains I am happy to spend like this as such big savings in the long run.

I too started my life over agai  in my ea

It's lovely to be sharing this thread with you, we can keep each other going... inspire and encourage. And any other fantastic Frugalistas  that want to join in of course.

That is an excellent price 75p for a large tube. I don't think I can remember that far back as to when a large tube was that cheap. They should definitely keep you going for a while. Well spotted you. 
That sounds intriguing... a clearance area in Boots! Let's hope it stays.

I too started over with very little as I turned 40... escaping an abusive relationship. I had a small rented flat and a young baby... it was so hard at times, but I wouldn't have swapped that peace of mind and freedom for anything.

Keep dreaming of your new lovely little house with a garden... yes,  you will definitely do it. ❤️

Thankyou for your kind words and well done you on being strong in your journey.
I will follow this thread with much interest, it is good to support and encourage each other as it will get hard at times. I have just started this thread : 

Stock piling and bargains and freebies to help with the cost of living crisis

Just to document my bargains and will help keep me focused.

I shall bookmark your thread and be on there frequently... I have been stockpiling in one way or another since the threat of the 'millennium bug.' 
 Now there is a blast from the past.