Get polyballs, beads etc from art and crafts shops - much cheaper than tackle shops...
Corks make great bait poppers, fraction of the cost of Fox ones...
Use kids' hair bands as rod bands to keep sections together if you carry rods made up...
Cover landing net handle with pipe insulation so it floats if you drop it in the river...
Make drifter vanes out of old ice cream containers...
Make your own pencil floats for deadbaiting - 20p a time, as opposed to ?3.25 for Fox floats...
Get NiCad batteries for aerators, torches, bite alarms etc - save a fortune in the long run...
Get a carborundum stone from your local DIY shop for a cheap hook sharpener...