Desperate times call for desperate measures: Here are some unusual, weird and sometimes not-so-great ways to save cash.

But if you’ve blown your budget and the bank of mum and dad is closed, you may have no choice…

Pinch all the freebies you can

Whether it’s condiments at a fast food joint or yet another free pen at Fresher’s Day, if it’s free grab it!

Fill up when someone else is paying

If someone offers to pay for you, take advantage of it! Just bear in mind that they may not offer again, or even be your friend for very much longer…

Flush the toilet less often

If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down, as they say.

Wash less

Avoid washing your hair often and use a washcloth over a sink to freshen up your face to save time in the shower and money on water.

Take cold showers

When do you take a shower, keep it short and cold for maximum money saving results.

Cut your own hair

Try and cut your own hair if you dare. Alternatively you can see if you’ve a friend who will offer or see if there are any beauty schools or colleges who will provide free cuts form trainees.

Cling film your windows

Covering your windows in clingfilm can make for a super cheap and trivial way to make your home or flat more energy efficient.

Waste less water on the toilet

Add a water bottle or even a BRICK to your toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water used when flushing.

Get free food

Grab free food by foraging for seeds, nuts, berries and fruit in the wild.

READ MORE: > 6 ways to free food: How and where to get totally free grub

Save pennies on fresh veg

Get really frugal by discarding extra weight such as stems and skins before buying loose fruit and veg.

Don’t waste cold water

If it takes time for hot water to come out of your taps, don’t waste the cold water that pours out first. Keep a jug near the sink and fill it up, using the cold water to drink, for tea or coffee, etc.

Don’t buy toilet paper

REALLY desperate? Recycle old paper, newspapers, magazines etc into toilet paper.

What are some of your desperate money saving tips? Share if you dare…