Beat the credit crunch | Frugal living | Money saving tips

A selection of tips and money saving ideas to try and help the fight against the credit crunch! Some of the tips are easy to implement and some are a little more tricky but just need a bit of time and effort. A number of the tips are things that I do myself, other tips have come from friends and family who use them to save money and live more frugally and all of them will help to cut down on spending without compromising on quality of living.

Click on any of the red links to find out more. If there are any tips that you would like to share, you can add your money saving tips to the local bargains blog All the best ones will be added to these money saving pages.

Banking with a credit union. ISA's loans and trust funds are usually very competitive, and there is probably a Credit Union near you. Private ATM cash machines very often add a charge when you withdraw money. Use the ATM locator to find ATM's for your bank, so you can avoid being charged...

If at all possible, consolidate your debts into one payment. Not only will it ease the hassle of all the different paperwork, you can often negotiate a better interest rate...

Buying stuff on the Internet is usually cheaper than buying from the Highstreet. Use this to your advantage to pick up some great bargains. Choosing a car is a major decision, weigh up the pro's and cons before deciding which car to buy...

Did you know that you can get most software for your computer for free? I don't mean dodgy downloads! For example Microsoft Office is an expensive application, but Open Office, which is virtually the same, is free. You don't even need windows - free operating systems are freely available and just as good - in some cases even better! Find out more about free software...

Instead of forking out a load of money, what about making gifts and presents yourself? They may not be brilliant, but it's the thought that counts!..

Grow your own vegetables - you don't need a huge garden, a window box will do. Not only are fresh vegetables delicious, they're packed full of goodness and they're much cheaper than buying from a shop...

Try haggling! We're embarrassed to do it in this country - but I bet you give it a go when you go abroad! Very often you can negotiate a better deal in a high street store, you just need the nerve to ask!..

Although it's not for everybody, you can save a lot of money by learning to repair things yourself. Most information that you will need can be found for free on the Internet...

Try planning trips away to places where you know people. Take advantage of their hospitality and have cheap holidays!..

As every smoker knows, quitting isn't easy, but apart from the obvious health benefits of giving up smoking, you'll also save a lot of cash...

Coupon clipping can save you loads of money, especially if you find coupons with money off items you usually buy. You don't even have to buy the publications that they're in. Get family and friends to save magazines and newspapers for you, you can even go through magazines at the Doctors or Dentists!..

If you're living in a place that is too large for you, consider renting out a room. Even a small box room where you "store" your unwanted items may be exactly what someone else is looking for. The rent will easily help towards paying your bills...

Stay up to date with all the latest news. If you're aware of what's happening, you'll be helping yourself to stay ahead of the game...

Keep control of your finances by using cash wherever possible. Just drawing out what you need is easier than keeping track of credit or debit cards...

Yearly insurance premiums are often cheaper than making monthly payments...