Saving the planet by being stingy

Don't use air-freshener - open the window, say FoE

The environmental campaigning group Friends of the Earth reckons that it could save us all at least £200 a year, if we followed its ecologically-friendly tips.

A new handbook urges us all to do our bit for the planet and save ourselves money on heating and shopping bills at the same time.

This morning, Breakfast asked for your money saving tips. And we talked to Nicola Baird, who co-wrote the Friends of the Earth book

Some of the FoE's tips are large projects: installing loft insulation, for instance, should save you around £80 a year on your heating bill - but if you're no DIY-er, you could find it difficult to manage on your own.

Others are much easier: turning off equipment like TVs, rather than leaving them on stand-by, should save you £10 a year.

Switching to energy-saving light-bulbs can save you another £20 a year; and lagging your hot water tank with insulation should save around £15 a year.

But Friends of the Earth has other household tips: don't flush the loo every time you use it. And: don't bother with air-fresheners when you could just open the window.

Friends of the Earth's book Save Cash and Save the Planet, is published by Collins at £12.99