Save money every month of the year

May

Exercise your green fingers

With two Bank Holidays this month, you may be inspired to spruce up your garden. There are plenty of ways to get professional results in the garden at a fraction of the cost.

Send off for catalogues from companies such as Unwins, Fothergills and Suttons, and look for annual plants that can be sown directly into the ground, as they'll be considerably cheaper than buying a fully grown plant. DIY chains such as B&Q offer good value on garden furniture, and local salvage and reclamation yards often sell old garden furniture, particularly ironwork, for hundreds less than you'd pay for new.

Potential annual saving: £200

Good time to buy: Paint and wallpaper. The bank holidays mean plenty of special offers at home and DIY outlets.