1. CARPOOL

Save money on petrol and wear and tear on your car by sharing the drive with friends, work colleagues or neighbours.

2. GO GENERIC

Go through your shopping list and highlight the items which you would be happy to replace with generic brands - for example, dog food.

3. TURN OFF THE TAP

Don't use hot water to rinse your dirty dishes - cold water will get most scraps off. If you have to wait for the hot water, place a bucket in your sink to catch the excess.

4. BUY IN BULK

Get together with friends or family and buy your meat in bulk, which you can then pack and freeze in suitable portions.

5. TOSS THE TAKEAWAY

Too many takeaway meals will burn a hole in your budget and generally isn't good for the waistline. Make it a special treat once a month or once a fortnight.

6. COLD POWER

Only use cold water in your washing machine. You're instantly saving on energy bills and the clothes wash just as well. Don't forget to then hang your clothes outside and avoid the dryer.

7. TIME'S UP

Put a timer in your shower and when the time's up, the water's off. You can buy an old style egg-timer for the shower, which kids especially love.

8. CHEAP FUN

A family outing to the local park or beach is cheap and fun. Pack some sandwiches, drinks and a ball for a few hours of family fun.

9. BOOZE BUYS

Save money on alcohol by buying when it's on special. Keep in mind that many bottle shops will match competitors' prices if you show them the ad.

10. UNIT BY UNIT

When grocery shopping, make sure you check out the unit price of items and work out if you are in fact saving money by buying larger packages of the product.