Ways to be thrifty and nifty

This week Evening Standard heralded thrift as the new Ab Fab - here we show you more ways to save in style...

Interiors

This season's fashionable Art Deco furniture at Argos prices. Their latest catalogue has brilliant bevelled mirrors for as little as £14.99. Other bargains include funky daisy-print dinner services for just £23 for 16 pieces, and a gorgeous retro tub chair in any of four colours for £89.99 (0870 600 2020; www.argos.co.uk).

Bathing beauty

Don't rip out that old bath - simply have it renovated for a fraction of the price. For as little as £150, Inter-Bath Restoration services now create a whole new look in a huge choice of colours on any cast iron, pressed steel or acrylic bath (0800 026 0070).

Kitchen doctor

Revamping a kitchen can cost up to £25,000 - instead replace the unit doors and handles with the latest glossy, flat designs from £45 a door. The Kitchen Doctor can replace or repair practically any element of any modern kitchen - doors, drawers, hinges, appliances and all fitted kitchen components, anywhere in the South East (0500 855 555;www. thekitchendoctor. com).

On the move

When moving house, avoid extortionate estate agents' fees with a new company called We're Moving. It charges a flat fee of £1,500 plus VAT for selling a home - regardless of the property's value. The only difference from a normal estate agent service is that you have to show prospective buyers around (020 7924 1566; www.weremoving.co.uk).

Surplus stock

Savvy interior designers now visit You're Furnished near Stansted, where leftover stock from major high street stores (M&S, Laura Ashley) is discounted by up to 70 per cent. There is 40,000sq ft of warehouse stuffed with near-perfect dining tables, sofas, chairs, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and conservatory furniture (01279

The £18 Matalan version of this season's coveted £800 Givenchy grey pinafore dress. Matalan's Looks for Less range also boasts a fabulous £40 leopard-print coat that's a dead ringer for the hugely expensive and sought-after Ungaro version. For your nearest Matalan call 01695 552793.

Fashion

Designer outlets

London's smartest girls buy their designer gear from outlets, not Bond Street. Check out Burberry at 29-53 Chatham Place, E9, pick up Nicole Farhi at 50 per cent less at 75-83 Fairfield Road, SW18, Paul Smith at 23 Avery Row, W1 or a few-seasons-old Joseph for next to nothing at 53 King's Road, SW3.

Clearance sales

No longer the preserve of Peter Jones, check listings magazines for these monthly events with up to 80 per cent off. This Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 10am-4pm, The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1 will be selling women's and menswear by designers Diane von Furstenberg, Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Martin Margiela, Dolce & Gabbana, Chloe, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu and MaxMara.

Market gains

Notting Hill's Portobello Market under the Westway on a Friday is where you can rub shoulders with designers Phoebe Philo (Chloe), Donna Karan and Stella McCartney, who flock around the huge array of inspirational stalls.

DIY accessories

Oversized brooches are de rigueur this autumn, with Chloe's £400 safety pin with three gemstones dangling off a coveted must-have. Recreate the look at Ells and Farrier, 20 Beak Street, W1, where pins and gemstones start at under £1 each (020 7629 9964; www.creativebeadcraft.co.uk).

For Men

Must-have

Bicycles are the only thing to be seen on this autumn (Boris Johnson and Guy Ritchie are big fans). They are free, fast, convenient and low maintenance. You can park anywhere, enjoy a couple of drinks without breaking the law and it keeps you reasonably fit, saving a fortune on gym membership fees.

Gap year

The cult of Hennes is well-known among metrosexual men (T-shirts £3!) but not everyone has cottoned on to Gap's rolling reduction system. Every time new stock comes in, make a mental selection ... then wait. Four to six weeks later, the price on garments can drop by half. For designer clobber, try the House of Hanover in Hanover Street, W1 (020 7629 1103). The prices (for deadstock Helmut Lang and end-of-line Etro) are unbeatable.

Lads' mags

Luxury magazines cost a fortune these days. Instead of buying them, visit your local library where there is always a good selection available for your perusal. Get there early enough in the month and you'll find that most of the fragrance strips and moisturising samples will be there to keep you smelling sweet.

Cheap seats

UGC cinemas sells its Unlimited card for as little as £9.99 a month. For this paltry sum, you get to watch as many films as you can possibly squeeze in each month, across the UK and Ireland (www.ugccinemas.co.uk).

Cheat's grooming

Nicky Haslam, who is a major toff, and therefore a thrift expert, tells me he always waters down his shampoo so it lasts twice as long, and he flagrantly ignores the manufacturer's advice to "repeat" the washing process. As for more personal hygiene, dispense with underwear garments and go "commando".

FOR KIDS

Must-do

Mini-tennis. Played on small courts with special rackets and bigger balls, it helps build up a child's confidence - and it's cheap. Instead of £15-£20 per hour for private tennis tuition, four- to 10-year-olds can be tutored from £4 per session. For your nearest venue, log onto www.minitennis.com

Bargain uniforms

Check out your local British Heart Foundation charity shop for a good second-hand uniform. (The BHF has just launched an appeal for unwanted school uniform - details at www.bhf.org.uk.) For new kit, the clever mother now goes to School Uniform 247 (020 7207 7867 or www.schooluniform247.co.uk), which offers blazers from £19.99, and to Additions Direct (www.additionsdirect.co.uk), which has boys' trousers from £5.

Eco-club

The Wildlife For All eco-club was launched last year and is the brainchild of the Royal Parks and the RSPB. It meets once a month in one of central London's parks, providing arts and craft activities. Next meeting - Nocturnal Rustlings - at Greenwich Park next week (13-17 September) from 11am-3pm every day in the Flower Gardens. Free (020 7935 7430; www.royalparks.gov.uk).

Culture club

For just £7.50 a year for family membership, sign your children up for some culture at the Barbican. Gets you into Saturday morning movies for just £2.50 per person, plus free craft activities before each film (www.barbican.org.uk/familyfilmclub).

Cheap eats

Free children's food at awardwinning Belgo restaurants and Bierodrome. Just order a main adult course from the à la carte menu and two children under 12 can eat from the children's two-course menu (normally costs £4.95). The offer runs all day (www.belgo-restaurants.com).