Bargain Hunter: Get £5 credit during American Express' Shop Small promotion

The promotion is designed to support local, independent businesses

Shoppers who prefer fresh food locally produced could be on fertile ground with a discount on Farmdrop hampers

Use an American Express card in one of thousands of small shops across the country and you'll get a £5 statement credit every time you spend a tenner or more in one purchase.

The Shop Small promotion starts today and runs until Sunday 20 December. Participating companies also include small restaurants, bars and other retailers. There is no limit on how many times you can use the promotion, which is designed to support local, independent businesses.

To take part, you must register a card at amexshopsmall.co.uk.

Money off locally grown food

You can get 10 per cent off a hamper from Farmdrop, an online marketplace that lets people buy fresh food from local producers, by using the code 10HAMPER at bit.ly/1HIkqa5. It is valid until 18 December for the first purchase only.

Discounts on hotel rooms

A number of UK hotel chains are running deals at the moment. Novotel is offering up to 30 per cent off stays at its 33 hotels, with a further 10 per cent discount if you book direct at Novotel.com.

Travelodge says it has half a million rooms for £39. Book at Travelodge.co.uk.

Premier Inn is offering 50,000 rooms from £35. To get the offer book at Premierinn.com. The chain has just revamped its breakfast menu, adding 16 new products.

Tu clothes going cheap

There's 25 per cent off all Tu clothing at Sainsbury's until Monday 7 December, including – if you must! – Christmas jumpers.

Don't let your pipes burst

Is it time to lag or check your pipes? Do it now and you could avoid a painful bill later this month. December is the worst month of the year for burst pipes, with 27 December the blackest day, warns Aviva. The average cost of a burst-pipe claim is £5,000.

Got any deals or discounts to share with readers? Send details and deadlines to your money@independent.co.uk