Thinking outside the square can save you heaps of money, as these two clever members of simplesavings.com demonstrate.

In a recent post on the excellent simple savings website, member Maria Eaton described how she saved $42 on a new computer bag by thinking outside the square.

She wrote: “I needed to buy a computer bag for my husband to keep his Netbook safe while it was in his work van. My husband had two other requirements apart from protective qualities; the bag needed to be big enough to store the computer charger and have separate compartments for his paperwork.

“I set about finding the right bag, looking online and in the shops. All bags were in the $50 range, but none were big enough to comfortably fit the bulky charger.

“However, while I was browsing in the computer department of Target, I saw Playstation 2 travel bags, reduced in price. The travel bag looked very similar in size to the ideal Netbook bag. As a bonus, the bag had lots of storage room. Originally designed for game controllers and power packs that storage would be ideal for hubby's charger and paperwork.

“In the end, the Playstation bag turned out to be perfect for my husband's Netbook. The bag comfortably fits his charger, there is room for his paperwork, and it was cheap - at the special price of $8.00, it was some $42 cheaper than standard Netbook bags!”

Meanwhile, simple savings member Melissa Lee was able to get herself a Netbook case for just $5.95.

She wrote: “I recently bought a Netbook and needed to purchase a case as it wasn't included in the price. I found the prices for a simple Netbook case were very expensive, ranging from $20 to $80 depending on the brand.

“Instead, I decided to buy a large pencil case. For $5.95 I bought a case that was made out of the same wetsuit material most Netbook cases are made from, for extra protection. Better still, I can put the Netbook in the large compartment of the pencil case and save the smaller compartment for my charger, mouse and USB stick.

“I also had plenty of colourful prints to choose from instead of boring black! I saved at least $15 by buying a large pencil case instead of a proper Netbook case!”