Get a grant to green your home

published 15 May 2009

Energy companies are sitting on unclaimed grants and benefits arising from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (Cert), which was launched in April last year. Under Cert, energy firms must offer grants to enable householders to make their homes more energy efficient, says The Guardian. Many of these are open to anyone and can be taken up even if the firm offering the deal isn't your energy provider.

Insulate your home cheaply

If you live in London you should qualify for Boris Johnson's insulation scheme, run by British Gas. This gives Londoners £50 cash back on £99 DIY insulation kits. You get insulation rolls, pipe lagging, protective gloves, goggles and instructions. You could also have cavity-wall insulation professionally fitted from £250, or loft insulation from £274, both with £100 cashback. Call 0845-070 5059.

Pick up a cheap compost bin

These bins retail for around £40, but many councils offer subsidised bins for as little as £12. Check whether your local council is part of the scheme at Recyclenow.com.

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Get a council-tax rebate

You can get up to £125 knocked off your council tax bill by having your home insulated by British Gas. There are 64 local councils taking part. See if yours is one of them at Britishgas.co.uk, or call 0845-971 7731.

Enjoy 'Baby Season' at Asda

Until Sunday (17 May) the store is holding a sale on all its baby products. So Cow & Gate baby food seven-month jars are ten for £5 and you can get 124 Huggies economy value nappies for £10.

Bag a discounted hotel room

Hotels.com is having a summer sale, with up to 40% off thousands of hotel rooms around the world, reports Jasmine Birtles in the Daily Express. The sale lasts until 15 June on bookings for stays before 30 September.

Marks &Spencer bra sale now on

After the furore around its £2 surcharge on bras above a DD size, Marks & Spencer is offering 25% off all its bras until 25 May. The £2 surcharge has also been scrapped.

Shop for less

Every weekday next week, The Sun will be giving away £5 Morrisons vouchers, which is valid when you spend over £30, reports Martin Lewis on MoneySavingExpert.com.

Nab a railcard now

If you are eligible cards cover 16 to 24-year-olds and 'Seniors', plus Friends and Family then buy one soon, because on Sunday the price rises from £24 to £26.

Eat for less

Meal deals include a burger and fries for £5.95 from GBK. The deal is valid until Sunday 24 May with a voucher at Cravegbk.com. Or get 2-for-1 on main meals at Dim T on Sunday to Thursdays until Sunday 31 May see Dimt.co.uk.

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.