Whenever I look at my bank account I think to myself that I should make more of an effort to spend less money by making things instead of buying them. There is so much opportunity for people to learn how to get crafty these days, there’s not really any excuse if you head to a shop and buy certain things instead – particularly if it ends up costing you a lot of money!

That’s why I’ve put together some tips on how you can boost your bank account – ideal if you have problems with debt - and reduce the things you buy by making them instead.

1)     Start baking

If you’re a natural in the kitchen, the most obvious thing you can start doing is baking instead of buying cakes. Should you get something from the shops every week for pudding, this will certainly help you cut costs, as ingredients can often be inexpensive and last a while, such as flour, sugar and eggs.

Food goodies are also a good idea if you want to save money on gifts to your loved ones. You might not have the finances to get them presents for their birthdays or Christmas, but you can give them some cakes, biscuits, chutneys or jams instead. I would make these in big batches if you can, as buying larger packets of ingredients is often more cost-effective, and, obviously, you can give more people your gifts.

2)     Make gifts

Not everyone is a dabhand in the kitchen, and you might prefer to make things out of material, scissors and glue. In this case, I would look up how to begin being crafty on the internet or take a book out from the library and follow their instructions. There are a number of things you could create, including cards and pretty presents like photo frames, candles and decorations for the house.

3)     Learn how to sew

This may sound like a daunting prospect, but just think of all the money you could save if you could sew. Every time one of your items of clothing had a hole in it, needed re-hemming or a button had to be replaced, you wouldn’t have to get it professionally done or even throw the piece away and get another. Instead, you could just get a needle and thread and fix it yourself.

If you get really good, you could even make lots of things yourself, such as sewing patterns on cushion covers, making curtains and bags. You could also improve your skills at crocheting or knitting if you really want to make lots more things you can wear or use to decorate the house.

4)     Redecorate your house

We can all think our home looks a bit tatty now and again, and it can be really tempting to want to renovate it entirely and get new furniture, put a fresh lick of paint on the walls and give it a new lease of life. But if you’re suffering from serious financial problems and are using all your money to pay back creditors through an individual voluntary arrangement or debt management plan, you won’t be able to do this.

Instead, if you pick up some craft skills, you could simply add some colour to your home by making things. I’d love to create my own duvet set, napkins, table cloth, candle decorations and wall hangings – and it’s a great way to add a personal touch to your abode.