Dry Skin? Don't Pay to Relieve It

Frugal ways to cope with dry skin are often more natural and better for you than expensive chemical solutions. The fact is that no lotion or cream has any "secret ingredient" that is good for your skin. Oil or fat, plus water, plus stabilizers, plus fragrance is about all it takes, whether it costs you a dollar or a hundred dollars. Or a dime.

Aluminum Foil

First, don't use much of it. When it goes to the landfill, it's a "nonrenewable resource." (How easy is it to find all those crumpled sheets in a landfill and reuse them?)

If you do use it, use it for all its worth. After the original use, wash it of course. But wash it again if it's still in good enough shape. Grease and baked on stuff will come off with hot water and a good soak.

When it's too far gone to use again for covering things, wad it up and use it as a scouring pad. You'll be surprised how well it works.

Happy Thanksgiving

...and save all that food! I'm thankful that the biggest problem I have with Thanksgiving is how to use up or store all the leftovers. Yes, I feel guilty about it when I stop to think. There are people who will be glad to have anything at all to eat and there are those who won't have even that.

Click to donate to the hungry.

Free (Almost) Holiday Chain

You know all those brightly colored Christmas catalogs that you look through and then never order from? Put them to use. Cut strips 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide from the brightest colors. Fold a third of each edge in on each strip. This will help make the chain sturdier, but if you have lots of heavier paper you can just cut the strips a half inch wide instead. Make a chain from these strips by making circles of each one and inserting... you know how to do that. Fasten with tacky glue or staples.

Tip: Cut the strips from pages that have the best colors, but don't worry so much what the pictures are of. You won't notice that once the chain is made.

You can adjust the size to suit yourself and your tree, windows or other decorations.

Knitted stocking stuffers for babies

Just a few ideas: Soft ball (There are patterns for this on the internet.) Pair of socks (Lots of free patterns for baby socks on the internet) Pair of mittens (Simple shape with no thumbs. Cast on enough stitches to go around baby's wrist, rib for an inch or so, then work even until you're within a half inch of the length of the hand. Decrease 4 stitches evenly over the next few rows, then draw the yarn through remaining stitches and fasten securely. Hat (Again, lots of free patterns for this.) Small sock monkey or other small toy (There are lots of free patterns on the 'net.) Bib (Basically a square with strings on two corners). Blocks (knit 6 blocks the same size and sew them together, stuffing them as you go.

Walking

It's frugal in a lot of ways. First, it doesn't cost much to walk. Certainly a lot less than buying gas, insurance, maintenance and tags for a car. Secondly, it lowers your doctor bills. Walking is healthy for anyone who can walk. It will lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, increase muscle strength and lung capacity and help digestion, to mention a few things. Most of us live in places where we can walk to something. To stores or to work or to the park. Even if you can't walk there, walk around a few blocks. You'll be money and health ahead.