 My Favourite Finds for May will help you shop smarter. Why am I going on about shopping in the middle of a global financial meltdown – just to rub it in that the halcyon days of careless (and carefree) retail therapy are finito? 
No. Even though you may not be putting the plastic through its paces as in days of yore, I guarantee you're still buying something, at least food (unless your allotment's significantly bigger than the one we've been on the waiting list for these past two years).
Step 1: Don't drive to the shops for a big weekly shop. Which leads to Step 2: Only buy as much as you can carry. When you're on foot you're keenly aware of your limits (even if you do want to build up those biceps).
Speaking of biceps, smarter shopping also comes in handy if you've had to sacrifice your gym membership. Combine low-impact fitness and low-impact shopping by walking to your local independent shops.
Keep wrists happy with these colourful Flip & Tumble bags. Cute as a button (and only slightly larger) they're perfectly transportable and definitely unforgettable (unlike those other reusable bags gathering dust in your cupboard). You can easily fit several in your bag to be whipped out at the till.
UK ecomaniacs love a trusty trolley, so don't miss the colourful selection of green (in some cases, literally) ones from Funky Shopping Trolleys.
Steps 1 and 2 lead to Step 3: Buying smaller amounts really cuts back on your food waste. For inevitable (and inedible) peelings and those just-can't-face-those-leftovers-again moments, try composting. Get top tips from this week's Website of the Week, Compost Awareness Week 2009.
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