Last week I wrote about where and how to get a free lunch and a free cup of coffee in Hillingdon. This week I'm going tog let you in on a little-known secret about how to get an almost-free facial.

I loved having facials and massages before I had children but now a beauty treatment is a rare treat on a special occasion if, for example, I've been lucky enough to be given a voucher for my birthday or Christmas.

I've always liked the Synergy Spa in Ruislip (visit www.thesynergyspa.co.uk for more information) as they run good-value promotions, and the Clarins Skin Spa in Debenhams, Uxbridge. I'm hoping to get the chance to try a newly opened salon in Northwood called Senses (www.sensesnorthwood.com) as it offers some really interesting treatments that I've read about but not tried, including cupping, Thai yoga massage and reiki.

Anyway, back to the 'free' facial.

India Knight, a Sunday Times columnist, is the author of The Thrift Book: Live Well and Spend Less published by Fig Tree, in which she waxes lyrical about a face mask she discovered.

Posh exfoliators and creams often contain something called beta hydroxy acid, which is the magic ingredient that means salon can charge anything from £40 upwards. However, this same acid is also found in aspirin!

You need six plain, uncoated aspirins; ask for non-branded aspirin at your local chemist as these are really cheap - mine cost 25p! Crush them with the back of a spoon, mix with a little water to make a paste and leave on your face for 10 minutes. Then while rinsing it off, massage it in to exfoliate at the same time. But remember, as India says: "For God's sake, keep your mouth and eyes shut!"

I've just tried it and it's really quick and easy, plus it made my skin look so much better.

With my newly glowing skin, I visited the new Toy Library at Deanesfield School, in South Ruislip, for a look around.

It is located in a lovely bright room in the sprawling school and it's a warm friendly place where children can browse the toys on offer while the grown-ups sit and have a coffee.

If you've never visited a toy library before it's well worth the trip. They are for children aged between three and seven and everything on offer is brand new. You simply sign up for £2 and then any toys or games you borrow cost 50p for two weeks.

As well as just ringing the changes with what's in the toybox at home, it also means you can try things out and avoid expensive mistakes. You know the kind of thing - you buy something your kids have been asking for ages, and then they spend more time playing with the box than what was inside it!