Cheaper, Better, Faster (15 page)

Medicines—numb your kids' taste buds

You may be able to make unpleasant-tasting medicine a bit more palatable for your children. Have them suck on a small piece of ice until their tongues are numb (this will probably occur once the ice melts), then give the medicine. Follow with more ice. The cold dulls the taste buds just long enough to render the medication tasteless.

Medicines—prescription and over-
the-counter equivalents

Ask for generic prescriptions, which cost less yet by law must have the same chemical makeup and potency as brand-name drugs. Also, buy generic nonprescription pain medication. You can purchase ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil) for less than half
the cost of name brand. The same goes for Tylenol. It is acetaminophen. Consult your pharmacist when in doubt.

Medicines—split those tablets

If your doctor prescribes, for example, 50 milligram (mg) tablets, ask about changing that to the 100 mg version so you can break the tablets in half to accomplish the 50 mg dosage. If this is possible, you will save a lot of money, because the difference in price between 100 mg and 50 mg will usually be negligible. You can purchase a tablet splitter for just a few dollars at any pharmacy. Caution: Some pills' delivery systems may be affected by splitting them in half. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Midday pick-me-up

Use a cosmetic sponge to soak up some of your favorite after-bath splash. Put the sponge in a small, resealable plastic bag, and toss it into your purse or briefcase. Now you can freshen up before an important meeting or at the end of a long, tiring day.

Nails—broken

Tea bag paper can mend a broken nail instantly and easily. Cut the paper to fit the nail, then coat with clear nail polish.

Nails—
buffing

Buff your fingernails rather than polish them, because it's quicker and cheaper. Apply a bit of petroleum jelly as a buffing compound, which will also soften cuticles.

Nails—
polish bottle trick

Keep the top of a nail polish bottle from sticking shut by putting cooking spray on a cotton swab and wiping it around the neck of the bottle before closing it.

Nails—polish fix

Smudge your polish while giving yourself a manicure? Not a
problem. Do what the professionals do. Put a drop of polish remover on the pad of your thumb, and rub it lightly over the smudge until the spot is smooth. Reapply polish.

Nails—
polish prep

Scrub your fingernails with white vinegar, rinse, and dry. Now apply your nail polish. It will adhere better and last longer.

Nails—polish rolling

Don't shake nail polish before using. Shaking whips bubbles into the product, which will cause chipping later. Instead, turn the bottle upside down and gently roll it between your palms.

Perfume—overdose fix

When you overdo it with your perfume, saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe it where you put the perfume. The alcohol will cut the scent without altering it.

Perfume and cologne—refrigerate

Refrigerate your cologne, and it can last for as long as 2 years. If a fragrance is exposed to heat, air, or sunlight, it immediately begins to change.

Remedies—bee sting pain

To soothe bee stings, immediately wet the spot and cover with salt.

Remedies—
chicken pox itching

If your children get chicken pox, and an oatmeal bath is in order, save a lot of money by making your own oatmeal bath product that is similar to Aveeno. Take old-fashioned rolled oats and a clean, old knee-high nylon. Place a handful of the oats into the stocking, tie a knot in the end, and let it sit in the bathwater. Squish the bag of oatmeal to activate it more quickly.

Remedies—hiccups

Eating a teaspoonful of sugar gets rid of hiccups in a flash.

Remedies—insect bite itching

Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub it on insect bites to relieve the itch.

Remedies—splinter removal, sunburn relief spray

To reduce pain while you are trying to remove a splinter, spray the area with a dab of sunburn relief spray. The topical anesthetic will numb the area and reduce the pain.

Remedies—splinter removal, teething gel or ice cube

Before removing a splinter from your child's finger, apply some teething gel to the area around the splinter and wait a few seconds for the skin to get numb. Gently remove the splinter with tweezers. If you don't have teething gel available, put an ice cube on the splinter. It will briefly numb the area and allow the splinter to be removed. Follow with a first-aid antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin.

Skin—astringent

Instead of purchasing an expensive brand-name astringent to add to your skin-care regimen, use witch hazel, an old standby recommended by skin professionals for decades. It's available over the counter at drugstores and performs as well as any brand of astringent, no matter how expensive.

Skin—baby oil before sunless tanning lotion

Smooth baby oil onto your skin, and allow it to penetrate before applying sunless tanning lotion to achieve a more even, lighter tanning effect, especially on elbows and feet.

Skin—
calloused feet

Crush 6 aspirin tablets and mix them with a tablespoon each of water and lemon juice; work into a paste. Apply the paste to calloused spots or dry skin on your feet. Put each foot in a plastic bag and wrap with a warm towel. Sit for 10 minutes with your wrapped
feet elevated. Caution: If you are diabetic or have circulatory problems, special care of your feet is essential. Get a doctor's guidance for all questions regarding foot health.

Skin—deodorant alternative

Rubbing alcohol is an effective deodorant for both underarms and feet, because it kills odor-causing bacteria, dries quickly, and becomes odorless. Apply in a fine mist from a spray bottle or with a cotton ball. Spritz your feet and the insides of your shoes with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to refresh and eliminate foot odors.

Skin—elbows

Elbows get lots of wear and tear, and they really show it. Here's the perfect way to give them the attention they deserve: Cut a lemon in half and rest an elbow in each part for at least 10 minutes. (Sure, you'll look ridiculous and that's why you're not going to do this in the middle of an important meeting or while sitting in church.) The lemon juice will remove the stains that make elbows look dirty. Jump in the shower, do the regular stuff, and then use those lemon halves for a final body scrub. Towel dry, follow with lotion, and you'll think you've just visited an expensive spa.

Skin—exfoliate

Mix
½
to
2
⁄
3
cup granulated sugar with the juice of one lemon to form a paste. While showering, invigorate your skin with the paste. Rub heels and elbows with the inside of the lemon.

Skin—
facial mask

Use milk of magnesia for a soothing facial mask. Spread it on your face, being careful to stay away from your eye area. Leave on for 30 minutes, rinse with warm water, then pat dry.

Skin—facial scrub

Baking soda mixed with a tiny bit of water makes an excellent facial scrub.

Skin—herbal bath

There's nothing like a relaxing, naturally scented bath to revive a tired mind and body. Fill a piece of cheesecloth with fresh rosemary, tie it up with string, hang the bag from the faucet, and run the water over it into the tub.

Skin—inexpensive care products

A reader asked a doctor friend what he learned during his dermatology rotation concerning expensive skin- and facial-cleansing products. He informed her that the best products are not the most expensive. Dermatologists recommend Dove or Lever 2000 for cleansing and Lubriderm lotion for moisturizing. Both products are sold over the counter at drugstores and most grocery stores.

Skin—instant face-lift

Here's how to give yourself an instant “face-lift” and beauty treatment: Mix 1 teaspoon each of baking soda and olive oil to form a paste. Gently massage it into your skin, rinse well, then pat dry.

Skin—itching, acne medication

One of the most soothing topical treatments for bug bites, poison ivy, rashes, and the like is your teen's over-the-counter acne medication. It will dry the infected area and reduce itching.

Skin—itching, baking soda bath

Dissolve
½
cup baking soda in bathwater to soothe skin irritations from sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, hives, chicken pox, and itchy rashes.

Skin—moisturize hands while you work

Keep a pump dispenser of hand cream in the kitchen. When you're washing dishes, apply the cream before putting on rubber gloves, and you'll get a quick hand-softening treatment as you work.

Skin—moisturize with petroleum jelly

Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to your skin nightly. It's a natural moisturizer and is especially effective on extra-dry areas, such as elbows, heels, and knees.

Skin—on tired
feet

Freshen tired feet and soften skin easily and quickly: Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water. Pour into a large container, and soak your feet for 10 minutes.

Skin—scrubber

Put leftover pieces of soap into a mesh produce bag to make an effective scrubber for feet, elbows, and hands. If the bag is fairly large, fold or cut it down to a delicate, dignified size.

Skin—sunscreen roll on

Sunscreen won't spill and will be much easier to apply if it's transferred to a roll-on deodorant bottle. Squeeze the neck of an empty bottle with pliers so the ball pops out. (Watch out because it can really fly.) Clean the bottle, pour in the sunscreen, and pop the ball back in.

Teeth—baking soda for toothpaste

An inexpensive toothpaste substitute that dentists endorse is plain old baking soda. Wet the brush and dab it in the powder. The cost is a fraction of what you'll pay for toothpaste, and if you can handle the taste, or lack thereof, you'll save a lot of money. Check with your dentist.

Teeth—dental schools

College and university dental hygiene programs are excellent places to get your teeth cleaned. Do an internet search to determine if your local university or community college has a dental school facility.

Teeth—orthodontic rubber bands

Anyone wearing orthodontic appliances with replaceable
rubber bands should get a fresh supply of bands often, especially following an illness. When reaching into the bag of bands, the wearer will contaminate the supply, which could mean recurrences of the illness.

Teeth—prevent dental problems

Finish meals and snacks by rinsing your mouth with water. It's fast, it's easy, it washes out substantial quantities of bacteria and food, and it's free.

Teeth—tea for fluoride

If your water lacks fluoride, drink teas. Black tea delivers more fluoride than fluorinated water.

Teeth—toothbrushes, hold pencil-style

Brandish your toothbrush with a pencil-style grip rather than a racket-style grip. Foreign research shows that the pencil grip gets teeth as clean but causes less gum damage. Apparently this grip promotes a vibrating motion more than a stroking one.

Teeth—
toothbrushes, replace or disinfect

When family members have been ill with colds, flu, and other illnesses, make sure you replace toothbrushes often, or thoroughly disinfect them. Toothbrush germs can be destroyed by storing the brush, bristles down, in a glass of antiseptic mouthwash. Replace the mouthwash every few days.

Toiletries
and grooming—beauty schools

Take advantage of the inexpensive beauty services available at a local cosmetology school. Students are carefully supervised, conscientious, and eager to please. Be nice but firm about your expectations and desires. If you're a bit nervous, try a low-risk procedure, such as a wash-and-style or a manicure. The students who will be graduating soon are very qualified. The savings are fantastic.
Basically you'll pay only for the materials, not labor.

Toiletries
and grooming—buy unscented in men's department

Buy men's toiletries if possible when it comes to such things as unscented deodorant, shaving foam, and hair coloring. Products specifically for men are significantly cheaper ounce for ounce. Go figure.

Toiletries and grooming—keep wipes moist

Keep towelettes and baby wipes moist by storing the container upside down.

Toiletries and
grooming—pain-free eyebrow plucking

Put some over-the-counter oral anesthetic solution on your eyebrows 5 minutes before you pluck them. This will prevent the pain.

Toiletries and grooming—
razor sharp

If you carefully dry your razor after each use, it will stay sharp much longer than if you simply rinse and leave it.

Walker caddy

Tie the handles of a plastic grocery bag to the arms of a walker. The bag will remain open and can be used to carry everything from eyeglasses to tissues to medication.

Baby shower—food gifts

Here's an idea for a unique way to welcome the baby and help the new parents in a big way. Instead of the usual baby gifts, invite the guests to bring a prepared dish, casserole, dessert, and so on, completely prepared and frozen for the guest of honor's freezer. Request that each dish have the recipe attached to it, which can be put into a small photo album during the shower. You'll be able to present the expectant parents with a unique cookbook along with a freezer full of food. It's fun and inexpensive and will give your friends precious time to spend with the new baby instead of in the kitchen.

Birthdays
—cake candleholders

Use creamy mint patties as birthday cake candleholders. Just make a hole in the center of each patty and fit the candles in. Place candles and patty on top of the cake.

Birthdays—cake writing like a pro

Use a toothpick to sketch letters onto a frosted cake before you try to write “Happy Birthday” or another message with icing. If you make a mistake, smooth the top and start again. When you're happy with your lettering, simply pipe icing along the sketched lines.

Birthdays—child's dress
-up party

Collect dress-up clothes, old shoes, sweaters, and jewelry from friends, relatives, thrift shops, and garage sales. Launder and disinfect everything. Let the girls get all gussied up as they play dress-up at the birthday party. Follow with a fashion show just before refreshments. Allow the little guests to take their outfits home as party favors.

Birthdays—party favor
photos

Take a picture of your birthday party child with each guest, holding the gift that guest brought. Have double prints made, one for your child and one to include with a thank-you note. This way, you have a record of who gave what, and each guest has a memento of the party.

Birthdays—party snack shack

Set up a snack stand with hot dogs, popcorn, soda, peanuts, and candy. Give each guest play money to buy treats.

Birthdays—teen girl pampering

For a teenage girl's birthday, make up a fancy coupon redeemable by her and her best friend for an afternoon of pampering at the local beauty school. The coupon can include a haircut or trim, braiding, hot-oil treatment for hands, pedicure, manicure, and so on. Total cost for an afternoon of pampering will be very affordable and should be paid for ahead of time.

Birthdays
—teen party

Take the birthday party group to the mall, armed with a
camera. The assignment: The group sticks together, and each party guest “shops” until they find the gift they'd buy for the birthday girl or boy if money were no problem. But instead of purchasing it, the group snaps a photo of the gift, the “giver,” and the guest of honor. When every gift has been properly photographed, continue the party with pizza, soda, ice cream, and other planned events. Download the photos to your computer and assemble a photo album on one of the many photo websites.

Christmas—adopt a needy family

Adopt a needy family for the holidays. Make a special shopping trip or have a gift-making session when each member of your family buys or creates a present for the person in the adopted family who is closest in age.

Christmas—after, catch
the sales for every holiday

Be sure to take advantage of post-Christmas sales. While you're picking up deeply discounted wrapping paper and other items, look for red candies and paper goods that will work for Valentine's Day, green items to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and red, white, and blue items for Independence Day.

Christmas—after
, donate living tree

Buy a living tree to use for the holidays, and then donate it to a local park or forest once the Christmas season is over. First call your state or local parks and forestry commission to find out where the tree could be planted after the holidays. Other organizations that might enjoy a new tree to add to their landscape are libraries, churches, and schools.

Christmas—after
, make list of holiday supplies

After the holidays, make a list of the items you won't need to buy next year, such as bows, wrapping paper, ornament hooks, greeting cards, and the like. Attach it to your
Christmas card list. The reminder is then easy to find once the holiday season rolls around.

Christmas—after, make pine needle pillow

After the tree is undecorated and ready to be thrown out, strip off the needles while wearing gloves. Then put the needles into a pillow slip and cover it with a pretty pillow cover. The scent will last all year and will keep the spirit and anticipation of Christmas alive.

Christmas—after, make plans for next year

Get the family together during the week after Christmas. Review your holiday plan and the goals you met. Ask everyone what they liked best and least about the holidays and what they would like to do differently next year. Take notes.

Christmas—after
, postpone party for a week later

Rather than overschedule, host a party the week after Christmas when the house still looks great and you don't feel as rushed.

Christmas
—after, recycle bows and make like new

Don't throw away those wrinkled gift bows. You can reuse them by placing the bows in the dryer along with a damp washcloth. Set the machine on “fluff” cycle for 2 minutes. The bows will come out looking like new.

Christmas—after
, recycle cards for charity

Once the season is over, don't throw out the cards you received. If you don't plan to use them yourself to make postcards or gift tags, send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a residence for abused children. The kids at St. Jude's make new cards out of your old ones and sell the cards to support the ranch. For more information or to place an order for cards, call 877-977-7572. Send your cards to St. Jude's Ranch for Children,
Recycled Card Program, 100 St. Jude's Street, Boulder City, Nevada 89005.

Christmas—after, recycle packaging for packing

As you unwrap gifts this year, save discarded paper, ribbon, and packing material to use as packing material next year.

Christmas—after
, save piece of tree for Yule log

Save a piece of the Christmas tree trunk to burn as next year's Yule log. Tell the family the legend behind the Yule log. Long ago, people brought home the largest log they could find, usually ash in England and birch in Scotland. They decorated it with a sprig of holly, placed it in the fireplace, and lit it with a piece of the log saved from the previous year. It was hoped that it would burn throughout the 12 days of Christmas. In many households, the lady of the house kept the kindling piece under her pillow. It was thought this provided year-round protection against fire. If you don't have a fireplace, bring home a festive cake called a Buche de Noel that's in the shape of a Yule log. Share the cake on Christmas Eve with the whole family—or take on a challenge and make a Buche de Noel yourself!

Christmas—after, Twelfth Night celebration

Give your family a post-Christmas treat by celebrating Twelfth Night on January 6. Also known as the Feast of Epiphany, this Victorian tradition celebrates the day when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem with their gifts for the Christ child. Children are given three gifts from the Magi before a gala dinner. Afterward, a Twelfth Night cake decorated with figures of kings is served. The child who receives the piece containing the silver coin baked into the cake becomes “king” or “queen” of the family for the whole year!

Christmas—attend a church recital

Go to a recital at a local church. Many choirs perform Handel's
Messiah
and other seasonal favorites.

Christmas—attend a parade

Take the family to see a small-town Christmas parade.

Christmas—attend a
school pageant

Attend a Christmas pageant at your local elementary school, even if you do not have children in the school.

Christmas—caroling

Caroling spreads cheer throughout your neighborhood. Take a thermos of hot cocoa to keep everyone warm.

Christmas
—Christmas Eve

Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, turn out all the lights and light lots of candles. Read Luke 2 from the Bible to your family, then join hands and sing “Silent Night.”

Christmas—decorate a senior's
home

Brighten an elderly neighbor's day by helping her decorate her home for the upcoming holiday.

Christmas—decorate children
's rooms

Instead of decorating the outside of your home, decorate each child's room and get them excited about the holidays. Help your children make red and green paper chains from construction paper to hang all over the room. Not only is this activity less time-consuming than attempting a big exterior display, it may also establish a special tradition your children won't forget. Plus you won't have to say “time for bed!” twice when your child can nestle among the enchanting lights of her very own bedside boughs.

Christmas—decorating, apples and evergreens

Pile red apples on a bed of evergreens, and tuck in some tiny Christmas balls.

Christmas—decorating, banister

Wind strands of tiny white Christmas lights and greens around and up the banister. Add large plaid bows.

Christmas—decorating, bedroom doors

Wrap your child's bedroom door with gift paper to transform it into a giant package.

Christmas—decorating, candles

Using candles is a simple and natural way to decorate for Christmas. If all you have are pine-tree greenery and candles, you have all you need. Use candles lavishly, and light them as often as possible. Nothing will turn your home into a softer, more beautiful place faster than candles. Just make sure you never leave candles lit while unattended!

Christmas—decorating, candy

Fill a glass container with holiday candy and top with a lid or a circle of gift wrapping or foil. Tie with a ribbon and set on a table.

Christmas
—decorating, car

Attach a wreath and big red bow to the front grill of the family car. Hang a fun ornament from the rearview mirror.

Christmas—decorating, card display
on window

Display all your holiday cards so they add to your home's decor. Cut a piece of string just a bit longer than the length of a front window and attach the string to each side at the top of the window. Hang the cards from the string by folding them over the string so the front of the cards face out. Once full, the string will drape ever so slightly to give a beautiful valance effect across the top of the window.

Christmas—decorating, card display with
ribbon streamers

Tape, tie, or staple Christmas cards to ribbon streamers to hang for display.

Christmas—decorating, centerpiece with ivy

Create a simple centerpiece. Trail greens or ivy down the center of the table, then add fresh fruit or holly for color and craft-store pearls for sparkle.

Christmas—decorating
, centerpiece with ornaments

For an instant table dress-up, heap shiny Christmas balls of all sizes in an elegant glass bowl. Place near candles and allow the light to bounce off all the shiny surfaces of the centerpiece.

Christmas—decorating
, centerpieces with filled bowls

Use crystal or cut-glass bowls of different sizes to make a holiday arrangement. Fill one bowl with Christmas balls—either place them upside down to hide the hangers, or tie a small bow on each. (This is a great way to use damaged ornaments.) In another bowl, combine fresh fruit with evergreens. In a third bowl, add holiday-scented handmade or purchased potpourri. Place votive candles in the smaller bowls.

Christmas—decorating, cranberry balls

Cover small Styrofoam balls with white glue and attach fresh cranberries. Allow to dry, attach a ribbon, and hang the balls on the tree.

Christmas—decorating, cranberry garlands

String garlands of cranberries on thin wire or heavy nylon thread or fishing line, because the berries can become quite heavy.

Christmas—decorating
, doghouse

Put Christmas lights and a small wreath on the doghouse.

Christmas—decorating, doormats

Paint a bright red “bow” on a doormat. Add a painted tag with your family's name.

Christmas—decorating, doors

Decorate doors with Christmas trees cut from white foam-core board. Pin, tape, or glue on bright ornaments and garlands of beads.

Christmas—decorating, doorway

Drape a long rope of greens (tied together with narrow-gauge wire) over the front door. Attach a red velvet or satin bow in the middle and weave matching ribbon through the garland like a streamer. As a finishing touch, place a poinsettia plant on each side of the doorway.

Christmas
—decorating, gift tree

Create a gift tree. You'll need 30 to 50 (depending on the size of your tree) small boxes of all sizes and shapes (empty Jell-O boxes are perfect), wrapping paper, and coordinating curling ribbon. Wrap each box with paper and curling ribbon. Tie the “gifts” to the tree, starting with the small ones at the top and ending with the larger ones toward the bottom. You can use different patterns of wrapping paper or wrap every gift in the same paper and ribbon. This is especially dramatic with gold or silver foil packages and small white lights.