HE might not be the first person you would turn to for some sound financial advice, but the world's most famous rogue trader had a few wise words for credit crunchers.

Nick Leeson, whose actions led to the collapse of the Barings bank back in 1995, was in Wakefield this week as a guest speaker at the Yorkshire and Humber Anti- Fraud Forum. He told Beat the Crunch! that riding out the storm might be the best way for consumers to protect themselves from the credit crunch,

"I don't think there is any one way for anyone to totally avoid the effects of the credit crunch and everyone is going to feel it in some way. People have got themselves into debt over the last few years and the most important thing for them is to keep those debts at a manageable level, pay off the interest until the economy starts to recover."

Mr Leeson's rogue trading famously led to the collapse of Barings, the Queen's own bankers, when his dealings lost the bank more than £800m. He was subsequently jailed and survived colon cancer. Leeson was played by Ewan McGregor in a film about his life.


FREEBIES

Gardeners can pick up left-over coffee grindings for free from Headingley's Cafe Lento on North Lane. Roses love the brown-black dust that can be scattered straight onto flower beds.

If you spend a large proportion of your day stuck in front of a computer screen it might be time to rethink your monthly mobile phone tariff as you could be sending texts for free. There are many websites offering this service, but for unlimited texts try www.cbfsms.com.

We take it for granted, but maybe this freebie will tempt you into looking after your vision? We found Dolland & Aitchinson is currently offering free eye tests to customers who book in online at www.danda.co.uk and print off the relevant voucher that must then be taken to your appointment.

Cheer a mate up and treat them to a night out at the flicks for free with Orange Wednesdays. The best bit is that you can avoid the hassles of signing up to a contract. Orange are currently selling £1 pay-as-you-go sim cards that for the price of one text message (35p) gives you access to this excellent deal without the monthly bills. For more information on Orange Wednesdays go to www.orange.com.

Win £500 to spend on designer clothes such as All Saints and G-Star at the grand opening of the new Clarence Dock shopping destination, which takes place tomorrow from 12 noon. Register at www.clarencedock.com to enter. The day out also promises great free entertainment with catwalk shows and celebrity host Gok Wan.


GOING OUT

Light Night will illuminate whole swathes of Leeds tonight as part of the annual celebrations of architecture, art, culture and community.

From fire walking, ghost stories and balcony chamber music at Leeds University to rare avant-garde film at Hyde Park Picture House and youth dance at the City Museum, there is plenty of late night entertainment to keep you going from dusk until dawn.

And the best part of the entire evening is that the majority of the events are free for the public to explore.

The dozens of activities take place across 40 extraordinary venues that would not normally be open late into the evening, if at all, such as libraries, places of worship, public squares, shops, barges, graveyards and prison cells.

The showcase of creative activity which is set to take over the city tonight is backed by West Yorkshire Playhouse and Northern Ballet Theatre, as well as arts groups, students, and artists.

Outside of the venues, the events will create large scale, light based pieces of new art for one night only.

On a practical note it is near on impossible to comfortably walk around every venue as the circuit is about nine miles or three hours worth of hiking. It might be worth taking a sandwich box of snacks so you can keep on wandering, but there are some recommended bars and restaurants that can be found en route such as the Victorian Tiled Hall between the City Art Gallery, below left, and Central Library.

For a full list of events go to www.lightnightleeds.co.uk.


TRAVEL

IF you cannot beat it, flee the credit crunch with a year abroad and still save money.

Rather then struggling with an ever increasing cost of living, escape the economic doom and gloom and fly to Latin America for 12 months, suggests Gap Year for Adults.

The idea is that you would make great savings on household bills and other living costs, while also taking up the chance to take part in a once in a lifetime programme such as animal and environmental conservation and volunteering with children and communities.

The Houses to Homes Programme in Guatemala involves rebuilding or building from scratch homes for disadvantaged families.

Each house takes around six days to complete and it is estimated that you would help 12 families move into their own home during your time there.

The move would see the average man who usually resides in the UK save £105 every week during their stay when you take into consideration house, food, drink, transport, social and cultural costs in Latin America.

In fact a 12 week break, would save at least £1,383 – which would cover the cost of one of the programmes – based on the current inflation rate of 4.7 per cent.

Gap Year suggests that renting out your house could also help with the cash flow. Go to www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk or call 01892 701881 for more information.



FOOD

DINE in this weekend with a luxury supermarket takeaway for two for £10.

M&S is offering a luxury main course, side dish, dessert and bottle of plonk or juice for two at this snip of a price.

On the cut price menu are mouthwatering autumn warmers such as seabass fillets, roast chickens, vegetable moussaka and British beef casserole with dumplings as well as a selection of vegetables such as Chantennay carrots and roast potatoes.

Desserts to pick from include hot chocolate fudge, sticky toffee and rice puds as well as mango or berry jelly terrines or classic fruit salads.

Drinks are a selection of wines, red, white and sparkling, as well as a twin-pack of fresh orange juice.

For a full peek at the menu go to www.marksandspencer.com, or drop into your local store.



A LUXURY chocolate range has been launched to bring shoppers a comforting treat during the economic downturn.

Credit Crunch, a mix of Valrhona chocolate and chunks of honeycomb, hit the shelves at Selfridges this week. A 150g bag costs £3.99.

"Although people might be looking to spend a little less at the moment, they still want to treat themselves to the best in terms of quality and luxury," said

Selfridges' director of food and restaurants Ewan Venters.

"Quality chocolate is the ultimate solution, being relatively inexpensive, instantly satisfying and really helps lift your mood."

The retailer has seen a 20 per cent sale rise in premium chocolate in the past four weeks.

Selfridges launched the new chocolate to satisfy a growing demand as winter sets in and people seek relief from the economic gloom.

Last year £3.37 billion worth of chocolate was sold in the UK, according to research by Mintel.