10 ways to feel fabulous frugally

We all know that making and mending is good for the bank balance and good for the soul. But if you want to take that feel-good factor to the next level here’s 10 things to do that will make you feel not just good but fantastic!

Every one of our feel fantastic tips is based on Make it and Mend it principles, extending the life of things that might otherwise find their way into the bin or finding fresh uses for simple household items. For example, before you consign that ‘past its best’ fruit and veg to the compost heap, consider the beauty implications…

Cucumber face mask

Cucumber that’s no longer crisp enough for a salad makes a great face mask: puree it in a blender, drain off the excess fluid and mix with a little natural yoghurt.

A couple of cucumber slices can be applied to the eyes to reduce dark circles.

TIP: If the mask is runny, lie down before you apply it.

Banana hair treatment

Puree your banana and then add a tablespoon of mayonnaise. Work the mixture deep into your hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water and then gently shampoo.

If you have greasy hair, reduce or leave out the mayonnaise.

TIP: Wrapping your hair in an old plastic bag intensifies the treatment.

Clean leather shoes with banana skins

Banana skins are great for cleaning leather shoes. Rub the inside of the peel around the shoes and then buff with a clean cloth.

Fruit not over-ripe yet? No matter, you can still find happiness in the fruit bowl…

Orange peeling meditation

Few of us ever feel we have enough time to devote to calming techniques or meditation classes but here’s a wonderful short meditation, structured around peeling a large orange. The key is to really concentrate on peeling the orange and don’t let your attention wander. If you find yourself thinking about other things bring yourself back to the orange.

What’s the texture of the skin like under your fingers?

Close you eyes and inhale deeply – the smell of orange can be very calming.

In Feng Shui orange is a useful colour for creating energy, so feel yourself absorbing energy as you peel. Take the trouble to slowly peel away as much of the white pith and inner skin as possible. Notice how shiny the flesh appears and how the juice begins to seep from the flesh.

Sit down and really enjoy your orange segment by segment. As you eat a segment try and leave the remaining segments arranged in a pleasing way.

Love that caffeine buzz?

Treat your cellulite to a latte… (And if you take sugar in your latte we’ve got an alternative use for that too.) Some of the most expensive anti-cellulite creams contain caffeine. Grounds used to make cafetiere coffee work well, but espresso blends are finer.

Drain excess moisture from the grounds, mix with a little olive oil and a small amount of shower gel or shampoo to make a loose paste. Massage the mixture into your cellulite areas using firm (but not harsh) circular motions, then shower off.

Sugar and olive oil hand scrub

Caster sugar is best. Put half a teaspoon of caster sugar in the palm of one hand, add a few drops of olive oil and work the mixture gently into your hands, paying particularly attention to any areas of rough skin. Rinse with warm water and a mild soap. This is great for feet too.

Lavender eye bags

Have you got a lavender bush in the garden? Make yourself an eye bag…

You need enough fabric to make a small bag approximately 2 inches wide by five inches long. Soft, silky material scraps are best. Fill the bag with a handful of dried lavender and two handfuls of red lentils. Then sew it shut.

The gentle weight of the eye bag and the smell of lavender are deeply relaxing. Place the bag across your eyes for short power naps or as you drift off to sleep at night.

And while you’re in the garden…

Sit outside for at least 10 minutes every day

Okay, this one’s easier to do when the weather’s sunny, but we all benefit from sitting outside in natural light, even if it’s just for 10 minutes or so. Natural light is calming, elevates our mood and helps top up the body’s immune system.

Charity begins… anywhere you want it to…

Do a good turn but do it in secret

Doing something good for others makes us feel good, but this feeling can be all the more powerful if you tell no-one what you’ve done. It’s almost as if you’re body’s natural feel good chemicals compensate for the lack of public recognition. Don’t take our word for it – give it a go.

Help a local charity and get your hands on some free inspiration

Keep a lookout for local fetes, fairs and charity car boots sales, organised in aid of local good causes. Usually there are a plenty of helpers keen to set up the event but when it comes to clearing up afterwards it’s a different story.

Offer to help with the clearing up and running unwanted items to the tip for recycling,

Ask if you can select some of these unwanted items for your own projects.

If you feel you’ve done particularly well out of the deal you could always make a contribution to the good cause’s funds.

If you are using a beauty treatment for the first time we recommend a discreet patch test to check how your skin reacts. If you have sensitive skin or suffer from any form of skin condition seek expert advice.