HANDS up who needs to save money. We all waste money and cutting that waste can’t be a bad thing. One of the easiest things to do is to make things stretch that little bit further.

We’re creatures of habit but adding a little flexibility to forward planning can definitely boost the bank balance.

On annual spends, such as dental check ups, servicing the boiler or car, waiting an extra month will make very little difference and over time you save money.

On more regular bills, such as visits to the hairdresser, professional window cleaning and car cleaning, services can be stretched by a week or even a fortnight. Again any difference will be hard to spot and it’s amazing how much these small saves amount to.

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On the mundane stuff: laundry, cleaning and your general daily routine there are many ways to cut the cost.

1. Ditch the tumble drier and use the washing line.

2. Don’t overdose on laundry powder and fabric conditioner.

3. Don’t buy fragranced water for the iron, use the washing line for a nice fresh smell.

4. Using a cloth with cleaning solution squirted onto it is economical and better for the environment.

5. Add an extra day between hair washes.

6. Use a nylon scrunchy in the shower to make shower gel or soap last longer.

7. Use the slow cooker instead of the oven.

8. Eating raw food saves money on cooking and washing up.

9. Wash up by hand instead of using the machine.

10. Turn off all the standbys on your electronics.

All of the above may sound really penny pinching but even if you have plenty of money why waste it on washing powder when you could use it for something much more exciting!