10 simple ways to save money

Never again will you throw cash down the drain in and around your house, home and garden. Use our 10 simple ideas to save as much money as possible.

1. No more emergency plumbing call outs

Find out where your stopcock is. This way if your home springs a leak you can at least turn off the water supply and call a plumber out the next day.

2. Buy stainless steel gardening tools

Don't buy cheap, inferior gardening tools. Buy stainless steel tools at all times. This way they'll last a life time.

3. Garden parties

Instead of buying plants and flowers from expensive garden centres either a. buy all plants and flowers from online retailers like www.crocus.co.uk or www.greenfingers.com or b. invite local gardeners round and swap cuttings with one another.

4. Buy insurance cheaper online

Companies like Churchill and Direct Line reward online buyers with up to 30% discounts on home, car, breakdown and pet insurance.

5. Turn down your central heating

Turning down your central heating thermostat by a single degree can save up to 10% on your yearly gas bill.

6. Beware 118

When calling directory companies like 118 118 beware or asking them to connect you. Ask for the number and write it down. This way you'll save yourself spending up to 40p per minute - even for local calls!

7. Shopping for big electrical appliances?

Shop around online. Even if you find an item in an off-line store, say Currys, Dixons, PC World etc, log on to their web site as the same item will usually come with an online purchaser discount.

8. Ignore extended warranties

The Sale of Goods Act covers any purchase for the first 12 months of purchase (as long as you keep the receipt). Instead, place the money you would have spent on the warrantee cover in a high interest account to cover any future repairs needed.

9. Stop incurring the wrath of the tradesmen's fine

As soon as a tradesman has completed their job write a postdated cheque and hand it to them. This way you'll generate a small amount of interest from the money - as it will still be sat in your bank account, and you won't incur a 30 day payment failure fine from your plumber, builder, handyman etc.

10. "Quote me happy!"

Before charging head on into a home maintenance job with a trades firm, ring around and get at least 3 quotes from a variety of companies. This way you'll get a feel for value for money and the quality of job you should expect.