8 ways to get extra cash in your pocket every month

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Here's eight money saving tactics that should leave you with some extra cash in your wallet every month.

Never let gift cards expire

Got a gift card? Make sure you use it before it expires, usually a year or two after it was purchased. If you can't find anything you want to use it for, buy something and return it the next day and you should get a new gift card or credit note with a longer expiration date. Huzzah!

Claim compensation for delayed trains and flights

You can get hundreds of pounds for delays to trains and flights.

You're title to compensation if you train is delayed by more than 30 minutes or flight, within the EU only, by more three hours.

To claim, contact the operator.

Ditch cable and stick with Netflix

Ditch expensive cable and sign up to an on demand service like Netflix for a much cheaper price.

You could also try Amazon's Instant video which also comes with all the prime benefits such as next day delivery.

Both Netflix and Amazon work out at around the same monthly cost and you can split the services between multiple people/devices.

Try to sell stuff before binning it

Don't throw away anything! Try selling it first via somewhere like eBay or a local online selling group on Facebook. You could get a shock like this £10 beanie that's worth £62,000.

No luck? Give it to charity or freecycle rather than binning.

Avoid fines

Avoid getting into trouble with the law by making sure things like insurance, tax and MOTs are up to date on your vehicles.

You can't plead ignorance to these document offences, if you don't have the correct cover then you're guilty.

Find the cheapest petrol

Use website PetrolPrices.com to see where the cheapest petrol is in your local area. Plan ahead to avoid running on empty and having to fill up at an expensive service station forecourt.

Keep your car efficient

Make sure you car is regularly serviced, keeping fluids like oil and water topped up and tyres at the right pressure, it can save lots of money on fuel costs in the long run.

Avoiding carrying extra weight that you don't need, so keep your stuff in your house or flat rather than your car.

Regularly read your meters

The more regularly you read your gas, electricity and (if applicable) water meters the more accurate your bills will be. You'll almost certainly be paying too much!

About the author: Thomas Brella

Thomas Brella is the founder of Student Hacks, starting the website in 2013 while studying at the University of Brighton to share tips and tricks on life as a cash-strapped student. He's now spent over 10 years scoping out the best ways to live on a budget

More on: Money
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