Frugal Friday Link Up--4 Uses for Cayenne Pepper

Happy Friday! My husband's been on vacation this week. Have we been frugal? Yes, and no. We have been doing our usual things--making due for lunch, making sure lights are off in rooms we aren't in etc. We rec'd our state tax refund check in the mail and did some grocery shopping. We didn't look at what was on sale though and just picked things up. We didn't do bad or anything and spent a total of about $60 between the grocery store and the day old bread store.
We also picked up a pre-paid card for my daughters spending money on her trip to England next year.

We are planning on being out of town all day today visiting my daughter and her family. We had intended on getting a motel for the night to visit longer, but there just wasn't enough money left to do that. Maybe next time :) We are already working on a savings plan for his next vacation week in August.

For this week I am sharing 4 uses for cayenne pepper from the 99 Cent Solutions book.

1. Relieve arthritis in your hands. 1 tablespoon neutral oil (almond or olive oil) mixed with 2 drops of lavender essential oil and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or 2 drops pepper essential oil) mixed together and rubbed gently on your joints makes a warming massage oil that will loosen up those joints in the morning. (admittedly this is probably great but I would really have to check the price of all the ingredients compared to buying Icy Hot, Ben Gay, or the like on sale and with a coupon)

2. Fight off a migraine. If you feel a migraine coming on, mix 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper into half a glass of tepid water. Mix it and drink it down. Lie down to rest. If you still feel the pain, repeat again in 30 minutes. (hhmmm not sure I would want to try this either!)

3. Break the grip of a cold. Heat some chicken stock to boiling and lace it with a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Less, depending on how much you can bear. Drink it from a mug and be sure to sniff the vapors while you sip. Cayenne breaks up congestion swiftly.

4. Deter deer and groundhogs. Mix 1/4 cup cayenne with warm water in a spray bottle and mist it over the plants that the deer seem to be zeroing in on. If you find the hold in your yard where that pesky groundhog hides in between eating your flowers, pour a liberal amount of cayenne down the hole. There is usually a second hole too, that you should find and anoint. Groundhogs should make haste to find other habitation plans. (OMG! I wish I read this before now--the gophers are tearing up our entire yard, and my flower beds. I MUST give this a try!)

Until next week--keep on saving! Please link up below. Also don't forget my Homemade 2012 linky page as well. Thanks!