11/1/24: Dollar Stretcher Tips

Hello Frugal Friend,

Can anyone help this reader?

Does anyone have any inexpensive way to cover dark, under-eye circles and the stretched skin there? I tried an OTC eye cream, but every time I used it, it got into my eyes and was uncomfortable.

Also, I use a name-brand henna to color my hair. However, though it's labeled "dark brown," it only stays that color for a few days or maybe a week. I'm hoping to find a natural way to dye my hair dark brown — one that lasts at least a little longer.

Last, any frugal ways to cover facial wrinkles?

Any help is appreciated.
Helen

Please send your responses to [email protected] or simply reply to this email. And thank you!

A Simple Ground Beef Trick

For reduced-fat ground beef, I boil it in water and then rinse and drain. I have done this for years when I need crumbled beef for chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. No one in my family has ever noticed that it's not fried. I sometimes add diced green pepper and diced onions to the meat before I boil it.

After removing the beef, I save the liquid in the refrigerator. After the fat forms on the top, I chip it off and use the liquid for soup stock or gravy. This liquid freezes well, too.
Joann

Related: Grind Beef at Home for Big Savings

An Affordable Gift Idea for Seniors

My mother has a 6-qt. slow cooker she used for years to prepare meals for our family of five. She's now in her 80s, and the last few times I was over to my parents' house for dinner, I noticed how much my mother struggled to lift that large crock. But she doesn't want to part with something that still works just fine. She uses it frequently since it is also difficult now for her to get things in and out of the oven. However, she also makes the same recipes she's made for years, which means large meals. My parents don't have a lot of freezer space to store leftovers and my mom often sends food over to the neighbors to avoid wasting any. But my parents are also on a fixed income and are beginning to have health issues, so I hate to see them spend so much on food they don't eat.

It finally occurred to me to get my mother a 2-qt. slow cooker and a slow cooker cookbook with recipes for two. My mom doesn't have a computer to look up recipes online and can't see them well on her phone. I got the Fix-It and Forget-It Cooking for Two: 150 Small-Batch Slow Cooker Recipes, but you can find a number of them on Amazon. My parents do not have any dietary restrictions at this point and can eat most any recipe.

Mom has no problem lifting the smaller crock to wash it and it is small enough she just keeps it on her countertop rather than trying to put it away in a cabinet. And she still has her 6-qt. crock when she wants to make larger meals.

Small kitchen appliances can make great gifts for seniors, whether a slow cooker, air fryer, or countertop oven, and will be on sale through the holidays. They may be greatly appreciated by older cooks who want to remain self-sufficient in the kitchen.
Rachel

Related: Convenient and Affordable Small Kitchen Cookers

A Quick and Easy Gumbo Recipe

I get two cans of Trappeys gumbo and a link of Polish or other sausage. I cut up into slices and brown the sausage and 1/2 to 1 cup diced onion in a skillet. (I usually use bacon grease in the skillet). Once the sausage is well-browned, I add the two cans of gumbo and 1/2 to one cup of corn (frozen), and heat well. I serve it over rice with plenty of hot sauce and some cornbread.
Debbie

Related: 8 Uses for Leftover Bacon Grease That May Save You Some Money

Maximizing Under-Cabinet Storage Space on the Cheap

The tip about using hanging clips is great. To maximize space, measure the inside of your cabinet(s) and buy a small curtain rod that will fit in one — under the kitchen or bathroom sink, say — and put the curtain rod there. You can then hang those hanging clips there, as well as bottles that have trigger grips. You'll still have room for storage under the rod.
JD in St. Louis

Related: Cheap Home Organization: 6 Repurposed Storage Ideas

Another Use for a Small Fan

The tip about using a small fan to ventilate a bathroom made me think of how I use my small fan.

I try not to use my clothes dryer much in my small condo during the hotter months. It's loud and heats up my space. And I prefer to save my clothing from the wear and tear of the dryer anyway. So, I have a few foldable drying racks, and in the summer, I use my little fan to help dry my clothes more quickly. It also helps keep me cooler since I position my racks near my chair, where I like to sit and read.
Trish

Controlling Spending with Reloadable Gift Cards

I like the idea of the reloadable gift card for spending money. I have done that with what I call my "clothing allowance." Being an avid clothing shopper, too much sometimes, I budget for the clothing I may want through whatever percentage works for me. I put that on the reloadable card. When the clothing allowance is gone, it's gone until next time. I may load for a season's worth or a year's worth. This way, I can get a garment any time. It goes on this budgeted gift card.

This works for me! And I don't feel like I've overspent. And I'm not guilty of bringing something new home without thinking about it first. It doesn't interrupt any other "needs" with "wants."
C

Related: Need To Trim a Tight Budget? Get Honest About Wants Vs. Needs