Some ways to get thrifty
Make a natural exfoliator that's effective, but doesn't cost the earth, by adding a little bit of sugar to your regular
cleanser.
Forget expensive hand creams - rubbing in sea salt and olive oil for five minutes is just as effective as any top-of-the-range
moisturiser I've ever used.
Cleanse your face and neck with a mixture of honey and gram flour. It's cheaper than cleanser and keeps my skin looking
clear and radiant, too.
Make expensive perfume last longer by popping a cotton wool ball, moistened with the fragrance, into your bra. There's
no need to reapply, it keeps you smelling lovely all day.
Invest in a good and hard-wearing clear nail varnish to use as a base and topcoat for your manicure. Then you can
use cheap and cheerful nail polish in between and still get a long-lasting effect. white shower curtains. The plastic rings
clip easily over the gazebo poles, too.
Make trainers go the distance by refreshing them and ridding them of odours. Simply wrap the trainers in a plastic bag
and put them in the bottom of the freezer overnight, then wash as normal.
Get the most out of your mascara by putting the tube in hot water. It'll make it just like new again.
After a dirty session in the garden, I soften and clean my hands with a scrub of sugar and olive oil - 1tsp of each does
the trick.
Enjoy the luxury of your own freshly made beauty products. Green tea with a drop of tea tree oil makes a great toner because
green tea has antioxidant qualities and tea tree is antiseptic. It keeps for about a week in the fridge.
Buy Tescos Value Shampoo at 26p and add your own essential oils such as tea tree to really help your hair.
Make your own kneeler to use when gardening. Just slip a piece of plastic foam into a used carrier bag. Use a bag with
a gusset and handles, as it can be easily carried and stored. It's also waterproof and costs nothing to replace when the bag's
dirty or worn.
You don't need to purchase expensive liners every year for your hanging baskets - just buy some fine green gardening netting
and secure it to the bars of the basket with a needle and thread. As the flowers bloom and grow, they cover the netting. When
the season ends, wash out the baskets with the netting still attached, ready for next year.
Get rid of irritating, greasy finger marks without having to buy a wood cleaner. Simply rub a duster dipped in vinegar
over wood surfaces.
Add 1tbsp each of vinegar and lemon juice to a new bottle of washing-up liquid. This will make it last longer and your
crockery will sparkle.
Unless your clothes are very dirty, try using half the recommended amount of washing powder in your machine. It works a
treat and your clothes don't smell of chemicals. It is also far better for the environment.
Take your kids to the Junior films on a Saturday morning which are normally much cheaper or visit on an Orange Wednesday
for a discount.
Children's birthday presents can be so expensive. If you know the parents in your children's circle of friends, ask them
if they would like to put an agreed amount towards one larger gift for the birthday child. It helps keep this ever-increasing
cost under control.
Extend the life of your children's clothes by using iron-on motifs. I bought Paddington Bear ones for just 75p and used
them to jazz up plain T-shirts and sweatshirts. They're great to personalise hand-me-downs and cover faded motifs.
Start knitting scarves now for Christmas
Save free samples of cosmetics from magazines for emergencies.
Petrol Busters is a great way to make sure you don't pay more than you should when you fill up your car. Just visit www.petrolbusters.co.uk - it's a free service from the AA. Just type in your postcode and it will list the cheapest petrol stations in your area.
Swap skills with friends and neighbours. Our neighbour is great at DIY, so we've made an arrangement where he does little
odd jobs around the house and I babysit his kids in return.
The herb-infused oil from a jar of sundried tomatoes or anchovies is lovely in place of olive oil when making pasta sauce.
Why not stay in YHA family-friendly hostels around the country. They offer family rooms with en-suite bathrooms and children-friendly
menus.
Keep your tyres full of air to cut down on petrol consumption.
Enjoy the luxury of matching perfume and body lotion without the expense. Just buy some unperfumed lotion, add a few drops
of your favourite fragrance to the bottle and give it a good shake.
Don't throw away used coffee grounds from your machine or cafetiere - massage them into dry hands.
If you have material or wedding shoes that you want to liven up, try using food dye rather than buying an expensive fabric
dye. It's much cheaper and just as effective.
Go second hand shopping. It is great fun and you can pick up some bargains.
Use baby wipes instead of facial wipes. They're great for removing make-up and cleansing your skin, and they're much cheaper,
too.
