On Saturday I won a gold medal. Well actually, it wasn’t really a gold medal, it was actually more a moral victory than something you pin proudly on your lapel, but it was the type of personal triumph that makes you feel like you’re wearing a lump of glittering gold around your neck. What’s more, it’s something you might like to try yourself...

Now I don’t know what you’re like, but I’m the type of person who is pretty organised at work.

I’ve got one of those jobs where I juggle a dozen balls every day, and it’s rare that I drop them. However, when it comes to doing anything at home, such as paying bills, or remembering to buy groceries, I might as well be dressed in a clown outfit, standing in front of a cannon which is firing balls at me.

Or, to be more blunt, I am completely and utterly useless.

I’m that one person who only remembers to pay a fine the day after the discount period has expired. Which is why until recently, my two most favourite words in the world have been ‘direct debit’.

That one little innovation in banking has probably stopped me being hauled off to prison more times than I would care to guess.

But as good as DD is, recently I’ve realised it makes you fall into the trap of not searching for a better deal.

That in mind, on Saturday, I decided to investigate the renewal letter I’d received for my breakdown cover.

First stop the Internet, and a huge shock. No matter how hard I tried, there was absolutely no combination of cover available on said company’s website that came close to costing as much as the amount on the bottom of my ‘valued customer of nine years’ renewal form.

Moments later I was dialling their number and selecting magic button number three, or as it’s more commonly known, the ‘Are you thinking of leaving us?’ option.

Well, let me tell you, it was like I’d dialled the Bat Phone; not only was it answered within one-and-a-half rings, but at the other end was the nicest girl on the planet.

So, in my very best naïve sweet voice I inquired how it was that I, their valued customer, was unable to find cover on their website anywhere near as expensive as the figure on my renewal form.

Bless her, she stumbled her way through mentioning special offers for new customers, but after I played the ‘let’s stay silent and make her feel uncomfortable’ game, she let slip that she could beat any price on their website.

Subsequently, in the space of about three minutes, she was able to reduce my payment from just over £160 to about £80.

Now all I have to do is break down several times in the next year to get my money’s worth. It’s nice to have something to look forward to...