Money News: When the bills kill

❚ Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani was faced with a 7 million rupee (£90,000) electricity bill for his mansion in Mumbai. But then, it was the most expensive house ever built.

❚ Malaysian Yahaya Wahab said he nearly fainted when he received his dead father’s phone bill for £137 trillion and was ordered to settle within 10 days. Ouch.

❚ Canadian Piotr Staniaszek erroneously thought he could use his new phone as a modem for his computer under his £6 browser plan, and the oversight cost him a jaw-dropping £41,000.

❚ Brit William Harrison wanted internet access while in Paris and racked up £7648 on his mobile internet broadband in a month for the privilege.

Save Money: Best Deals in London

GET ON TRACK CHEAPLY
Fancy a staycation? Southeastern trains is offering 20 per cent off off-peak tickets bought online to Kent and East Sussex. You’ll have to hurry though, the offer ends November 6. southeasternrailway.co.uk

TWITTER DISHES DEAL
Not just a useful way to while away hours, Twitter is heaving with bargains if you just follow the right people. Find @Bragitup, which flags up the best discount deals floating through the web; and @PennyGolightly, alerts you to bargains around London, such as free coffee and sales at Topman.

A CRIMBO FRIEND
If you are organised enough to get your Christmas shopping done early, the website, camelcamelcamel.com can be your friend for a bargain buy. Find an item you like on Amazon, copy and paste the item’s URL into the website and it will alert you when the price drops. Be ready to pounce.

How You Spend It!

Kelsey Clark, 20
Job Intern
From California
Lives South Kensington

How do you budget?
I frequently look at my bank statements. With no income at the moment, seeing my accounts dwindling is enough to keep me wary
of my spending.

Any money-saving tips?
Always make a list before going grocery shopping. After a long day in the office or in class, if I don’t have the items I need written out beforehand, I’ll buy up the entire supermarket!

Last big blow-out?
I just got back from a trip to Barcelona. Between the paella, the fruity cocktails, museum tickets and club covers I spent half a
month’s allowance.

What non-essential items do you spend money on?
Pillows. There always seems to be enough room on my tiny twin size bed for more decorative, arty pillows.