Get paid £200 for your old TV: How to turn waste into wealth

Victoria Bischoff explains five simple ways you can make some extra money - and help save the world while you're at it.

Recycling things we no longer want, or need, can be as friendly to your wallet as it is to the environment.

Check out my five top tips and you could save £100s in no time at all!

1. Exchange electronics for cash

If you have old or broken electrical items buried in the back of your cupboards, stop hoarding them and make some money!

Whether it's an old mobile phone, a broken toaster or a washing machine that's had it, rather than leaving them to gather dust, dig them out and see what you can get for them.

Some stores offer discounts on new purchases when you trade in old appliances.

For example, Comet is currently offering up to £200 off the new Sony Bravia LCD TV in exchange for your old television.

There are also a whole host of websites dedicated to recycling electrical items past their prime.

Not long ago I exchanged two ancient mobile phones for cash with the website Simplydrop.

It took no time at all to register and send my phones on their way in the freepost envelope provided. And in return for my efforts, I received a charming cheque through the post.

Why not check out websites such as Envirofone, Fonebank, Love2recycle or Mazuma Mobile and find out which will give you the best price for your handset. The amount you will receive depends on the condition and make of mobile.

On the other hand, if you're a frequent flyer you could trade in your mobile in exchange for up to 750 Airmiles.

Remember, many electrical items have toxic components which can be harmful to the environment.

So even if you only get a couple of quid for a few bits and pieces, think of the good you're doing for the planet!

2. Sell your old stuff

If you've got boxes of old books, baby clothes and other odds and ends hidden away in the loft somewhere, why not flog what you no longer want on Ebay and Amazon.

It's the perfect way to de-clutter your home and fill up your wallet at the same time.

After all, 'one man's junk is another man's treasure'.

With Ebay, once you've registered online and written a brief description of what you're selling, you can choose to auction your item over a period of one to 10 days and/or offer buyers the option to 'Buy it Now'.

Whereas with Amazon, you simply decide on a set asking price and then sit back to see if there are any takers.

If you have something for sale, it's also worth checking out the website Gumtree as you can post an add for free.

On the other hand, a good old fashioned car boot sale can be a fun way to get rid of any items that aren't worth very much. However, be prepared to barter for your asking price and make sure you get up early to bag a good spot for your boot.

3. Get something for nothing

Sometimes the best things in life are free! And right now, at a time when every penny counts, I couldn't agree more.

Check out the clever website Freecycle. It works as a free mailing list, where anyone can leave details of the things they want to get rid of.

If you sign up to your local group and spot something you like, you can collect it free of charge.

The idea is to reuse items that are still in tip top condition and keep them out of landfills. This is how I found the beautiful, blue sofa that now lives in my lounge.

Or if you are an avid follower of the latest fashion trends, but your wallet can't quite keep up with your style, why not swap the clothes you don't wear anymore for ones you will.

Websites such as BigWardrobe and What'sMineIsYours allow you to buy and swap clothes with fellow fashion fiends.

Alternatively, why not organise a swapping party with friends and raid each other's wardrobes over a glass of wine.

4. Waste not want not

Finally, according to the website LoveFoodHateWaste, around 6.7 million tonnes of food is thrown away by households in the UK every year.

This is a terrible waste of energy and contributes to the greenhouse gases which are damaging our atmosphere - not to mention the negative impact this has on our wallet.

Here are four top tips to help you waste less food in the future:

· Plan your meals in advance. This should stop you from buying food you won't have time to eat.

· Go through your fridge and check the dates on everything. Make sure you use your perishable goods first.

· Ask yourself if your eyes bigger than your stomach. Check your portion sizes and if you tend to cook too much, use the leftovers for the lunch the next day.

· Be a smart cookie and before you fall for the three for two deals, ask yourself if you really need three of something.

5. Conserve energy

Saving energy is an excellent way to both beat down your gas and electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Here are six top tips from our friends at Energy Saving Trust.

• Turn down the temperature. Lowering your thermostat by just 1 degree could shave 10% off your energy bills and save you an extra £55 a year.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• Switch appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.
• Fill up the washing machine. Running one full load in the washing machine and dishwasher uses less energy than two half loads.
• Turn off the taps properly and fix any leaks. In one week, a dripping hot water tap wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath.
• Use energy saving lightbulbs. They last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs and using just one could save you around £40 over the lifetime of the bulb.

Happy saving!

**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**