Our current top ten tips for Economical Ecology,

1. If they are not being used Switch off all your appliances, dont leave them on standby and ideally disconnect at the wall socket.

2. Likewise if you are by the kettle (the ultimate power bomb!) when it reaches the boil switch it off by hand - the automatic cut off will leave it boiling and burning up watts for longer. Instant coffee is better when made with water that is not quite boiling. Only boil the quantity of water you need. Should you be lucky enough to have a range oven that you can boil an old style kettle on - use it.

3. Solar powered battery chargers will make long term savings on replacement costs and reduces the need for recycling.

4. Tumble drying is very expensive - line drying is free. When outside drying is not possible consider whether you have radiators that could be used if on anyway - however this will increase the humidity in your house and may lead to damp in your attic if it’s not well ventilated.

5. Insulation is the most cost effective and environmentally sound step you can make. Check your loft for adequate depth of insulation, wear extra clothing instead of turning up the thermostat. Install reflective sheets behind outside wall radiators.

6. Forget being snobby about second hand shops - it is well worth looking around the ones in your area. You will soon work out where the better clothes are and can sometimes pick up new or nearly new items for a fraction of the normal price. This is win/win again lower cost and helps recycling cutting down on landfill.

7. Water: this may sound an odd personal care tip but it’s very effective. Water is the cheapest and healthiest thing you can drink especially from the tap,if the taste of spring water is what you want cosider filtered tap water instead. Drinking lots of water does amazing things for your skin, lessening the need for all those potions and lotions too!

8. You don’t have to take out an expensive gym membership to get in shape and stay toned. Yoga and Pilates are forms of exercise that you can do at home. Going for a walk is great exercise - running too if you are already quite fit. If you have a bike - get out on it! Even better get out in the garden and start growing your own, it saves on food costs and gets you fit.

9. To save water, an increasingly precious resource, take a shower instead of a bath. When cleaning your teeth dont leave the tap running

10 Transport pollution and cost can be cut dramatically by car sharing, there are posts about this on this blog.