How to save it...

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Fancy being a Valentine's Day cheapskate? One option is Asda's 7p "smart price" greetings card.

But if that's more likely to turn your lover into an ex, check out CardTown.com. Sign up at the site between now and Valentine's Day to receive £5 free credit to put towards any purchase, which will cover the cost of a small personalised card plus postage. Just sign up for an account at the site, click "add prepay credit", and type the code LOVEFIVE into the "redeem a prepay voucher" box before selecting "redeem". The money can be used to buy any card on the site, not just heart-filled romantic ones.

AMEX CASHBACK LIFT
Deal alert: American Express has raised the cashback it pays out on its Platinum credit card to 5% for the first three months of purchase.

These cards trigger a generous payout to big spenders or those looking to make a major purchase such as a car, kitchen or new computer in a year's time. The new Amex deal and Capital One World Mastercard both pay out on up to £2000 worth of spending in the first three months, which works out at £100 cashback. After three months, the Amex pays a flat rate of 1.25% cashback while the Capital One card pays out up to 1.25%, depending on the level of spending. But American Express charges cardholders a £25 annual fee, so do your sums before signing up to either deal. And only use either card if you repay in full every month - otherwise, the interest charges
are steep.

COST-CUTS IN THE AIR
Next time you book a flight, visit the Civil Aviation Authority's website first. It's not just for plane-spotters: the CAA has published a detailed list of the "optional" charges slapped on passengers by all the major airlines operating in the UK. Included among the detail are the fees for taking luggage on board and the cost of an in-flight meal and seat reservation, plus all the other imaginative money-making ideas carriers have come up with. The Government has set out plans to ban excessive surcharges on credit and debit cards but, until the law comes in, fliers will face high fees from some airlines. Visiting www.caa.co.uk/docs/2200/Comparing_airline_charges_1st_Feb_2012_.pdf will help you work out which ones really are cheapest for your needs.

TAP INTO CHEAPER WATER
Water bills are going to rise by about £20 per household from April, the industry regulator Ofwat has just announced. That will take the average bill next year to £376. But do a quick water audit and you could cut your own bill by more than £20 a year. The most common way householders make savings is to install a water meter. Paying only for what you use will almost always work out cheaper if your home has more bedrooms than people living in it. The Consumer Council for Water has a calculator on its website that will show you whether you could save money with a meter: www.ccwater.org.uk. If the answer is yes, ask your provider to install a meter for free. Anyone using a lot of water because of a medical condition, or a large family that is also on benefits, may be able to pay a lower water bill via the WaterSure scheme - the CCW can advise. Also, replace washers on leaky taps, install a water-saving shower head and keep showers brief, and place a "save-a-flush" or "hippo" gadget in toilet cisterns.