WANT to save yourself £150? Then it's time to make the switch. The prices of gas and electricity have soared in recent years. But you don't have to give up long hot baths or wear five jumpers on chilly days to save money. Instead, you can just change suppliers.

Switching suppliers of gas and electricity seems tricky. In fact, it will take you about five minutes. And as that works out at a profit of £30 a minute, it's got to be worth a go.

And it's as easy as changing the type of baked beans you buy. You don't even have to do any of the working out yourself. There are a number of companies with phone lines and websites that do all the calculations for you - and most of the paperwork.

The price comparison services are all approved by Energywatch - the gas and electricity watchdog. They are impartial, and they are free.

So what are you waiting for?

HOW TO DO IT

* Find a few old bills. Failing that, work out if you are a low user (less than £20 a month on one fuel), medium user (£20-£29 a month on one fuel) or high user (more than £30 a month).

l Contact a price comparison service. Tell them where you live and let them tell you the prices.

l You can choose your favourite by price alone, by their standard of service - not much good in paying peanuts for your bill if you get monkeys on the phone when something goes wrong - or by their green credentials.

l Decide if you want both fuels from the same supplier.

* Decide how you're going to pay. The cheapest way is by direct debit; the most expensive is by a prepayment meter. That alone can make a big difference to your bills.

l Let the price comparison service get on with it. They will do all the work of telling your new supplier and telling the old. The most you'll have to do is read a meter on the day of switchover. And work out how to spend the money you've saved. Easy, isn't it?

HELP

For free independent advice on gas and electricity problems, contact Energywatch, the gas and electricity consumers' council. Tel: 0845 906 0708, www.energywatch.org.uk

FREE PRICING COMPARISON SERVICES (including free phone call)

www.uswitch.com. Tel: 0800 093 0607

www.energyhelpline.com. Tel: 0800 279 4546

www.energylinx.co.uk. Tel: 0800 849 7077

www.ukpower.co.uk. Tel: 0800 093 2447

FREE PRICING COMPARISON SERVICES (you pay for the phone call)

www.saveonyourbills.co.uk. Tel: 0845 123 5278

www.TheEnergyShop.com. Tel: 0845 330 7247

www.unravelit.com. Tel: 0845 120 2056

TRIED AND TESTED

STAIN RESISTANT SHIRTS

A few weeks ago, we looked at cheap and cheerful shirts. This week, we've gone upmarket to test the new generation of shirts. Rocola Shirt Tec cost £50 but they're 100 per cent cotton, soft yarn, non iron and stain resistant. They don't actually put themselves in the washing machine, but seem to do everything else. Could this be a godsend for messy eaters? They certainly feel like good, very soft cotton. They come out of the wash looking slightly creased, but once they're worn, body warmth gets rid of any creases almost immediately. Also, like most non iron shirts, they stay looking good all day.

As for stain resistance, our tester having been very neat and tidy when he wore it, we had to test it ourselves by carefully pouring dollops of a nice oily, tomatoey Bolognese sauce on it, and a good glug of red wine.

And they rolled off.

We wiped it with a cloth and couldn't see where the goo had been. Very impressive. We then rubbed some of the sauce in, to make sure it soaked in, and left it for a while. After a couple of hours, we wiped up what we could. There was a faint stain - but even that came off beautifully in only a 30 degree wash. So yes, the material works, repels stains instantly and prevents them lasting.

As most people have a clean shirt at least once a day, they're probably not worth the extra. But they could do wonders for the really messy and accident prone. And spaghetti lovers.

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