Do you go skiing but struggle to pay for lunch? Do you gargle vodkas but miss the rent? If so, read on. Many young go-getters' jet-setting lifestyles belie the fact that they have no money. Here are some helpful hints to enable you to do the same.

Transport

Ideally, you would start the working day speeding into town in a racing-green MG, but bearing in mind the prohibitive cost of parking, let alone of a sports car, it is clear this dream will remain unfulfilled.

A scooter is an affordable alternative. You can cut a dash, Italian-style, weaving in and out of the traffic jams on a bright red Vespa.

An alternative is the metal push-scooter. With no petrol costs, you can push your way around the city and arrive at work with a becoming glow.

But errant flies may land in your meticulously applied touche Θclat make-up and the becoming glow may be mistaken for a clammy, lobster-like complexion. Also, this is, in fact, a child's toy.

You may have to consider taking the bus - not generally considered a glamorous option, but you can convince people otherwise. Tell them it is an ingenious stress-reliever, like yoga. Say you need the deafening hum of an engine in your ear, condensation-soaked windows and claustrophobic air first thing in the morning to calm yourself for the hectic day ahead.

Socialising

It is hard being the belle of the ball when you can't afford a ticket. Hone those bouncer-friendly skills - this is the price to pay for being broke.

Go to student places that have £1-a-drink nights. If an evening of indie music, watered-down drinks and bad haircuts does not appeal, wangle your way onto a PR girl's list and you, too, might be invited to celebrate the openings of nail studios or shoe shops.

Throwing a party? Invite everyone over for a themed "winos' party". Tell your guests only to bring cheap booze, in keeping with the theme - your bottle of dodgy white will mix right in.

Grooming

If people are to believe you lead a charmed and affluent life, you must look the part. Many of the best hair salons have schools where trainees learn the trade. Cuts start at £10, and the procedure may take three hours, with a singed scalp thrown in for free, but the result can be worth the discomfort.

Just make sure the students are not practising Mohicans or multicoloured dying that day.

While under the hairdryer, scour the magazines for coupons. Try to be inconspicuous, as irate hairdressers may cut a dodgy fringe if they see you pilfering the freebie moisturisers and perfume strips.

Don't be tempted by cheap chainstore clothes or you will never stand out as a master of the universe. Be inspired by the Oscar-winners who wear vintage gowns. Profess your love of all things old. You will save money and ensure that nobody from accounts turns up in the same outfit as you.

Holidays

You would love to go trekking in India, but your budget lends itself more to a weekend in Brittas Bay. Don't panic. Check the Internet for last-minute holidays. A week in the Canaries can cost as little as £100.

If you are planning to go skiing, rent - don't buy - the gear and get a cheap holiday near the end of the season.

Browse Buy And Sell, where people flog their unwanted prizes and impulse-bought weekends. If you are really skint, consider a working holiday. What about crewing for a yacht, destination Cannes? First check out www.nixers.com.

Fitness

No self-respecting beautiful person could do without regular gym sessions, but the cost can be prohibitive. Seek out special offers or find an alternative way to keep fit.

A dance or aerobics class costs from £3. Team sports are sociable and easy to join. There are local football, rugby and hockey teams all over the country; they cost about £50-£100 a year. And mud is so good for the complexion.

If you don't relish the thought of exercising en masse, then start jogging. The off-putting factors are damage to your joints from running on concrete and the fact that your neighbours might see you wheezing past the village shop. Go incognito in baseball cap and shades.

If none of this appeals to you, take the advice of Liz Hurley, who advocates a few sit-ups every day as the quickest way to flatten your stomach. Tuck your feet under a radiator and start crunching.