Everyday Cheapskate

Saving a load of money on health and beauty products might be as simple as taking a quick trip to your own pantry. For example, as today's first reader discovered, two common pantry items together make the equivalent of a pricey natural moisturizing exfoliant. In fact, I will go so far as to say the quality of this homemade version exceeds that of the high-end commercial product.

HOMEMADE FACIAL. I use this homemade concoction as a moisturizing facial scrub with great results: Pour approximately 1 teaspoon of olive oil into the palm of your hand, and add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use your fingertips to gently rub it into the skin on your face. Leave it on for 1 minute. Rinse it off with warm water, and then wash your face as usual. — Susan M., Iowa

BAR BASICS. I've read all sorts of fancy ways to use up slivers of bar soap that accumulate when the soap is no longer usable, but the easiest way is this: When your bar is down to a sliver, get a new bar of soap. Wet them both, and put the sliver flat onto the new bar. Use them held together this way, and allow them to dry together. Eventually, the sliver will be incorporated into the new bar. — Cyndi A., e-mail

CORNMEAL CREATION. When I take a shower, I use cornmeal for a face scrub. I dab a bit of it on a washcloth and scrub lightly all over my face. Then I just rinse it off. I don't have to worry about getting any harsh chemicals in my eyes, and my face is so smooth and clean afterward.

LOTION FLOW. If you are having a hard time getting lotion out of a nearly empty bottle, put it in the microwave for a few seconds. Then the liquid will come out more easily. — Granada, Nebraska

HAIR STRAIGHTENER. I have a lot of hair appliances that I find difficult to store. After trying several options — from dedicating a vanity drawer to them to piling them up on a closet shelf — I found the perfect solution. My hair dryer has a hole in it so it can be hung on a hook. I just put a hook under the shelves in the bathroom closet for easy access. For the appliances that are not designed to hang from hooks, I tie the cords into loose knots near the appliances and drape them over the hooks. Now I don't spend time trying to untangle them. — Mary Beth G., North Carolina

LAST DROP. I was away on vacation, and my facial moisturizer was down to the last drop. It comes in the same type of tube that toothpaste comes in. Using scissors, I cut the tube open. I hardly could believe how much lotion was left! It lasted the entire time I was away. Now I do the same to all my other tubes, including my tubes of toothpaste. It's almost like a game to see how long I can make it last! — Judith, e-mail

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Include your first and last name and state. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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