HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Do you ever ask a hotel, airline or restaurant if they offer discounts to senior citizens? You really should. You can also apply for an America the Beautiful Senior Pass. This particular card offers you access to federal recreation sites and covers entrance fees at national parks and wildlife refuges. It also covers standard amenities at national forests and grasslands. It’s $80 annually and also covers noncommercial vehicles with four adults. Children 15 and under usually enter free.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) also offers discount cards for prescription drugs. Many large and well-known pharmacies honor those discounts, but you must ask. Hotels and restaurants often provide discounts to customers ages 55-65. The age can vary from company to company, but most follow this age range. Again, you need to ask if they have senior discounts.

Companies offer these discounts to encourage senior citizens to do business with them. Retirees who are on a fixed income usually appreciate the money they’re able to save. So, go ahead and ask if they offer a discount and pocket those savings.

DEAR HELOISE: Need a few hints on how to keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated? Here are a few of my all-time favorites:

⏹ Take a slice of lime, lemon or orange and rub it all over your face for about 30 seconds. Wait about 3 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry.

⏹ Bring a pan of water to a boil with the steam rising. Then turn off the stove and move the pan somewhere safe. You can set it on a thick wooden cutting board if you wish. Next, place a towel over your head to form a closed tent. Let the steam open your pores for about 3-5 minutes. Afterward, wash your face in warm water with a final rinse in cold water.

⏹ Want to tighten your skin for smoother makeup application? In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon coconut oil and the white of one egg. (Save the yolk to use in your next shampooing.) Blend well and apply in a circular motion onto your face and neck. Leave on for about 2025 minutes.

⏹ Invest in one black T-shirt and one white T-shirt. You can always use it under a suit or a cardigan for a simple but classic look. A black or white T-shirt always looks good with jeans or slacks and maybe one or two necklaces, but never wear an excessive amount of jewelry. And never wear any top that has makeup around the neckline!