UpMyStreet ©

With the credit crunch showing no sign of abating and the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) being the latest body warning the UK is heading for recession, money saving has never been so important.

There are nearly always ways to save money, ranging from the simple to the slightly unusual. We've put together 20 tips to help you save money.

Around the house

1. Switch your energy supplier to save up to £325 a year
2. Insulating your home with loft and cavity wall insulation could save up to £220 on your annual energy bills, and cut your carbon footprint (Energy Savings Trust)
3. Make sure your boiler is covered in the colder months; you could save yourself money in call out charges and parts. Compare online to find the best cover
4. The average person uses 160 litres of water a day - install a water meter to get accurate bills and use a 'Hippo' to reduce your water usage
   
5. Selling things you don't use can be a great way to make some extra cash. Try online, a card in your local Post Office or in a classified ad

Keeping entertained

1. Speak to loved ones, wherever they are in the world for only a few pence with a VoIP connection - find a cheap VoIP deal
   
2. Still got your old mobile phone lying in a cupboard? You could get up to £100 cash just for recycling it, with sites like Mopay 
3. Buying CDs and DVDs online can save a lot of money, and comparing their prices using a site like Shopzilla can ensure you get the best deal possible
4. Renting DVDs online is a cheap way of keeping entertained - with some schemes you pay less than £8 a month for 4 DVDs delivered to your door, with no late-return fees
5. Check your local council website for free events in your area - you don't need to pay £80 for a family theme park ticket to have fun

Your finances

1. If you car insurance is coming up for renewal, make sure you compare insurers to get the best deal
2. Make sure you're not missing out on unclaimed benefits - use this tool to find out what you're entitled to
   
3. Check your old bank accounts for spare cash - use the British Bankers Association and Buiilding Societies Association to track them down
4. Make sure your house is in the right council tax band - if not you could reclaim hundreds of pounds - check the Valuation Office Agency, or the Scottish Assessor's Association for more details
5. Check your credit report - if your credit report is incorrect you could be paying higher interest on your financial deals (e.g. mortgage)

Out and about

1. If you need a new hairstyle, and have time to spare, book into your local hairdressing school for a free cut 
2. Get out of the brand trap - own brands are often almost exactly the same as branded goods, they just cost less
3. Buy in bulk, making sure they're things you need that won't expire
4. Get a free meal, in exchange for a report on a restaurant in your area, by becoming a mystery diner with a company such as Service Scan
5. Try to always take a packed lunch to work. By spending £5 a day buying your lunch, this adds up to over £1000 a year - enough for a luxury holiday