If you happen to have a lump sum to invest, you can actually put your money into harder work then standard investments, and make it remain perfectly safe by using the new 'Regular Savings accounts' which have poped up throughout the UK.

Regular savings accounts, such as that offered by Alliance Leicester, have a rate of 12% AER. Don't be fooled however, as you're deposits are limited to £250 per month for a peroid of a year - Hense the words 'Regular Savings'.

This means if you have £3,000 to invest, you can only pay in £250 a month for the year, and will therefore only earn interest on a small portion of your money.

In reflection to this, not all your money is being invested here at one time, meaning you can open a standard savings account and place the remaining £2750 there. Every month, remove the £250 maximum deposit required for your regular savings account.

By doing this, you will earn around £194.50 from a 12% regular savings account, and possibly £71.25 based on a standard 4.75% savings account, totaling £265.75. Compare this to £142.50 if left all your money in a standard savings account.

Please note, figures are before savings tax, and are estimates.

Be sure to check and understand the terms and conditions of each account. Some allow no withdrawals, or forfits all interest on missed payments.