Want more on less budget ? Take a look at the clever savings you can make in your bathroom while still enriching your life.

Save on plumbing... and trade up to a newer model car

If it ain't broke don't fix it... so do as Belinda Geel of Reece suggests and "use existing plumbing fixtures whenever possible, as changing the position of plumbing can add unnecessary costs". This is because you have to pay for additional labour (at a rate of about $60/hour, and it could take anywhere from two days to a whole week), plus parts. Then, after changing the existing plumbing you need to replace the floor, which often involves pricey re-tiling. So next time you decide to move the bath 'just because', think about the extra costs involved.

Save on fixtures... and splash out on the little luxuries

If your cash flow is fading, choose simple, no-fuss fixtures in white or neutral tones, then add a few well-coordinated accessories. Soft, fluffy towels, flickering candles and freshly picked flowers will make any bathroom feel like a pleasure zone.

Save on dodgy work... and invest in good tradespeople

Top of the list of budget blowouts is having the same job done twice because of shoddy workmanship. So spend a little extra on tradespeople you can trust to have the job finished correctly the first time round. The bonus? Tradespeople have access to cheaper deals and know where the bargains are, so it pays to offer them that second cup of tea.

Save on installation... and buy yourself a plasma screen

The current trend for mosaic tiles has your local tiler shooting to the top of 'Australia's most rich and powerful' list. Because mosaics are so small, they require a great deal of precision and are time-consuming to install. It's that same story for mega-huge tiles, which can be just as difficult to install because they are hard to lay around corners and drains. Our budget-savvy tips? Go for medium-sized tiles (200x300mm), which cost as little as $25/square metre. Or bypass the tiler altogether and opt for a mirror wall. Mirror is cheaper than tiles and a cinch to install... definitely something to reflect on.

Save on water... and take a friend to coffee each month

Save water, save money, save the world... just some of the benefits of investing in water-friendly showers, taps and toilets. One AAA showerhead alone will save about 16 litres of water a minute, while a water-smart toilet, such as Caroma's SmartFlush, will save up to 35,000 litres per year (the size of an average swimming pool).

Save on re-tiling... and update your winter wardrobe

Put down that sledgehammer... Bring old tiles up to date with a coat of tile paint in a neutral colour. White Knight Paints' Tub 'N' Tile paint, from $58/500ml, will do the job. Want to take it further? Tiling over out-of-date tiles will save about $250 on ripping them up. But be warned: this smart trick is for wall tiles only; tiling over floor tiles can alter drainage and block doors from opening.

Save on natural stone... and go on a romantic weekend away

Dreaming of natural stone all over? Opt for textured porcelain. At about $40/square metre, porcelain tiles are a quarter of the price of natural stone and easier to maintain. Want a tip? Tiling all the way up to the ceiling looks better than just going threequarters of the way and costs about the same because you don't have to cough up for border tiles. To up the luxe, add a touch of natural stone as an accent tile above the basin or as a vertical panel.

Save on a total overhaul... and landscape your garden

Just because your bathroom is old doesn't mean it's a job for the extreme makeover team. Sometimes a simple re-grouting will bring your bathroom back to life. Companies such as Total Tile Care will re-grout and reseal tiles. Expect to pay an average of $539 for a shower or $990 for the whole bathroom.

Save on replacing your bath... and spend a week on the Great Barrier Reef

Don't rip out your old bath. Companies such as Bathroom Werx will re-enamel a standard bath for about $550 (about one-third of the cost of replacing it). And it doesn't stop there - you can neutralise ugly tiles, refresh your shower base and revamp your basin with a coat of double-baked enamel all for about $2200.

Save on excess tiles... and take the family to Thailand

Tiles can cost anywhere from $30 to $400/square metre, which is between $1440 and a whopping $19,200 for four average-sized (12 square metre) walls, and that's before they're even installed... ouch! The smart answer is to tile only where necessary. And that brings us to wet rooms. Turning your shower into a room in itself is a hot trend right now. To get the look (and the trip!), tile just the shower area and paint the rest of the bathroom with mould-resistant paint, such as White Knight Paints' Kitchen and Bathroom Paint, $55/four litres.

Save on a new shower screen... and take those Jimmy Choo shoes off lay-by

We love the look of frameless shower screens but, costing between $1000 and $2000, they are a little pricey. So, if your budget just won't stretch, bathroom expert Simona Castagna of Minosa Design suggests opting for a semi-frameless screen that looks almost as good for half the price. Pick one up from Regency, with prices ranging from $500 to $1000.