What not to buy

We show you how to spend smarter on seven popular purchases.

If I'd been given a pound every time someone told me there's no such thing as a free lunch, I'd be dining at the Ritz every night.

But there are ways of getting something for nothing, and tricks to help you get the things you want for less. Here, I show you how to stop spending more than you need on seven popular products.

1. Landlines

While most households in the UK still have a landline, it increasingly makes sense to ask whether you really need one.

Many of us may find we now get far more use out of mobile phones than landlines. If this applies to you, it might make sense to go completely wireless - ditching your landline could save you at least £126 a year in line rental charges.

You might also consider using the web to make calls. Systems like Skype and VOIP can be installed on your computer for free, and allow you to chat with friends and family at far lower rates.

You need a broadband connection for these to work - but even this doesn't have to be dependent on a fixed phone line. A dongle could save you over £200 a year by eliminating both landline and broadband charges.

2. Books

As an English graduate, I'm all in favour of reading and seeing a full bookcase fills my heart with joy.

Having said that, no one has unlimited shelf space - and there's no need to buy a book in order to read it.

Local libraries are a great resource for readers. Many have wide ranges of books, and most allow you to order a book from elsewhere if they don't have it. Many local authorities now have online facilities so good that you can even renew and request books without leaving the house.

Swapping is also a brilliant way to get your next novel for free. List any books you're fed up with on a free website such as Bookmooch, and you can exchange them for ones that you want.

3. Films

Building up a DVD collection can be costly - and, in my opinion, there's a good argument for not bothering. Few of us watch all the films we own regularly enough to justify their price.

But sign up with an online DVD rental site such as Lovefilm.com, and you could borrow an unlimited number of films (one after another) for £9.99 per month - less than the price of a single new movie release.

Even better, DVD rental sites generally offer a free trial for new users - so you can check out how the system works before committing to a whole year.

4. Music

Some recording artists (such as Prince and Radiohead) have already cottoned on to the fact that people are fed up of paying through the nose for music.

Until everyone follows suit, however, there are other legal ways you can get hold of music for free.

Many libraries have sizeable CD collections, and some get hold of new releases quickly. Checking out the shelves at your local branch is one way to hear a band's latest tracks before shelling out for the album.

Alternatively, you could consider Spotify. Spotify is a program which you install onto your computer and lets you stream the songs you want to hear, whenever you want to hear them. There are currently three packages available to new Spotify users - starting from the Open package which is absolutely free and allows users to stream up to 20 hours of music a month. Find out more in The cheapest way to buy music online.

5. Magazines

Are you a magazine lover, prone to picking up your favourite titles from a local newsagent? If so, stop!

With some glossies now costing as much as £5, buying them on the hop can mean you end up spending hundreds more than you need to over a year.

Identify the magazines you simply can't live without, and look into getting subscriptions online. Websites such as iSubscribe offer discounted deals that even beat those offered direct from publishers.

Typically, you can shave at least 40% off what it would cost you to grab each new issue of a magazine from the local shop. Plus, you may find that you'll be sent a free gift for subscribing!

6. Beauty products

With the amount of pressure we're all under to look perfect these days, no wonder lots of us spend more than we should on lotions and potions.

I'm definitely guilty of being sucked in by slick advertising and swanky packaging - and the cost of regular cosmetics purchases soon adds up.

If you're a lover of designer brands, make sure you try before you buy. Most retailers will give you trial-size products to experiment with at home before asking you to fork out.

Websites such as Free In Uk also regularly post details of health and beauty samples you can order online. Sign up to Freebielist, meanwhile, and you'll get emailed details of the best freebies and samples available each week.

If you do want to buy a product, there's still no need to head for the high street. Strawberrynet have the world's largest range of cut-price skincare, cosmetics and perfumes - and while the size of discounts varies between products, some are as large as 50%.

7. Competitions

Finally, it's now easier than ever to enter competitions. Sign up to win4now.co.uk and you'll receive a weekly email listing all the ways you can win for free.

After all, you could win a whole array of things and you never know, you might be lucky enough to win cold hard cash!

This is a classic article that has recently been updated.

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