Life gets busy, and finding time to cook a healthy meal every evening isn’t always easy. Whether you’re working long hours, juggling family life or simply don’t enjoy cooking every day, having homemade meals waiting in the freezer can be a real lifesaver. Meal prepping frozen chicken meals allows you to cook once and enjoy several meals later. Spending a few hours batch cooking means you’ll have delicious homemade meals ready whenever you need them, saving both time and money…
Hi, I thought I’d do something a little different from my usual money-saving and self-improvement posts. Instead, I’m going to share some bits about my life. For all of my working life, I’ve worked in administration and retail. However, I always wanted to start my own blog. I put it off for years with excuses about time, money, no experience, etc. But after being made redundant in 2025, I decided to stop making excuses and give it a go. It…
Things You Can Change to Refresh Your Life Have you ever reached a point where life feels… the same every day? Nothing is necessarily wrong, but everything feels a little repetitive. You wake up, follow the same routine, and before you know it, another week has gone by. I remember listening to Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark”, and one line really stood out to me: “I ain’t nothing but tired… Man, I’m just tired and bored with myself.” It…
Growing Up in the 90s UK: My Favourite Music, TV Programmes and Games Hi, I’m Vanessa, and I live in the UK. I thought I’d do something a little different from my usual money-saving and self-improvement posts. Instead, I’m taking a trip back to the 1990s and early 2000s—a time filled with great music, unforgettable TV programmes, and some brilliant computer games. The 1990s were a big decade for me. I started high school, went to college, and then began…
Hi, I’m Vanessa, and I live in the UK. I thought I’d do something a little different from my usual money-saving and self-improvement posts. Today, I’m taking a trip back to the 1980s. I am sharing some of the books, toys, music, and TV programmes that I had growing up in the 80s. If you grew up during the 80s too, I hope this brings back some happy memories. And if you didn’t, perhaps it’ll give you a glimpse into…
Whether you have an unexpected free afternoon, a quiet weekend, or you’re simply feeling bored, there are plenty of enjoyable ways to spend your time without spending much money. Free time is an opportunity to relax, learn something new, be creative, or get organised. From creative hobbies and outdoor adventures to free learning resources and entertainment, these affordable activities can help you make the most of every spare moment. Be Creative Start a journal and write down thoughts, goals, or…
Self-sufficiency is all about using your own skills, knowledge, and judgment to take care of your needs, tackle problems, and make decisions with confidence. It doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself; it means becoming less dependent on outside systems while knowing when it’s sensible to seek help or work with others. Working on self-sufficiency helps you build resilience and gives you more control over your life. Whether it’s picking up practical skills, managing your finances better, or…
Job searching can often feel overwhelming. There are so many websites, apps, and advice that flood the web. You might freeze up from choice overload! Whether you’re starting from scratch, changing careers, or re-entering the job market after some time off, having the right resources makes a big difference. In this post, we will look at some great websites, tools, and strategies to help you discover job opportunities, improve your applications, help with interviews and keep your spirits up through…
What Type of People is it Suited For? Working from home is great for people who are self-motivated, organised, and can manage their own time. It can fit many different lifestyles, but there are some traits and situations that make it a good fit. Self-Disciplined Individuals – People who can stay focused without direct supervision. Those who can set goals, keep track of their schedules, and meet deadlines on their own. Good Communicators – Remote work often relies on communication through email, chat,…
Starting a blog can feel overwhelming when you’re faced with domains, hosting, WordPress, SEO and social media. The great thing is, you don’t have to learn everything all at once. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to create Thrive & Save, from choosing a niche to publishing your first post. When I started Thrive and Save, I spent weeks comparing blogging platforms and worrying about getting everything perfect. Looking back, I wish I’d focused…