Some of the best money-saving ideas are the most simple.

Never a month goes by when the members of www.simplesavings.com don’t come up with another ingenious way to save money and this month we feature one of the most simple of all.

It comes from member Sonya Gibson who simply leaves her purse behind when she leaves her workplace to go out for breaks.

She writes: “During my work breaks I would go out to the shops at least a few times a week and I found myself buying the odd magazine, getting a few groceries or just buying stuff.

“I would always take my lunch from home so it wasn’t lunch purchases; this was more like the ‘clog up your life with stuff’ stuff.

“One day I decided not to carry my purse with me to the shops, that way I could not spend what I didn’t have. Now I just look around instead of shopping around. And it works – I find I spend so much less!

“I get back to work and have second thoughts about buying those things that, just minutes before, I had felt were so important to buy.

“Even when meeting a friend for the odd coffee, I now take just enough money from my purse and put it in my pocket; again purse-free and I can’t spend what I don’t have. Guaranteed to work every time!”

Another great tip comes from Trenna Malcolm who writes that several streets in her neighbourhood have joined together to create a Sustainable Streets Group. They meet monthly to exchange produce, homemade food and household items, as well as swap useful hints and ideas.

They have gotten to know just about everyone in their immediate area, and life for adults and kids alike has been greatly enriched.

“This great social event costs nothing and swapping your excess produce for something you don’t have saves everybody loads of money,” she said.