My first cold in five years has morphed into a rough cough, leaving me barely able to breathe. Rather than send DH to a drugstore or supermarket, I made this:

First, the cough remedy, not to be administered to children under the age of two:
¼ teaspoon Cayenne
¼ teaspoon Ginger
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
2 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)

Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough.
Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. My eyes pop open with each sip. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.

Second, I experimented with Bean-Bacon Chowder, from the Tightwad Gazette Compendium. 6 slices bacon diced; 1 chopped onion (I use 1/3 of a jumbo onion); 2 tbsp flour; two peeled, diced potatoes; 3 cups milk; 1 tsp thyme; salt; pepper; 22 oz baked beans.

Saute bacon and onion until bacon is just brown; stir in flour to coat; then add potatoes, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper. Boil until bubbly, then lower heat to simmer for 12-15 minutes. Stir in baked beans until thoroughly heated.

I served this chowder with homemade brioche from a James Beard recipe. The brioche is probably not very frugal, but it is wonderful to have on winter days. It's not always filet mignon or veal saltimbocca at our house.

More from Suddenly Frugal: I have these rags and old towels but I don't think to cut them up and use them for rage. I have a bad paper towel habit. I'll cut up and bring up rags to the kitchen for use. Also with the insurance, Ms. Ingram writes that we should think of a ten-to-one ratio of vehicle value-to-annual insurance premium. We have a twenty-to-one ratio. We pay once every six months: a $3 monthly surcharge applies to every monthly payment. I am conditioned to save the insurance in the money market fund.