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From stashing a rainy-day fund in your wallet "just in case" to always taking a jacket even if it looks sunny, Brits reveal the top pearls of wisdom shared by their mums.

A poll of 2,000 adults asked about the advice passed down that has helped them navigate life, such as deep cleaning the house before jetting off on holiday to come home to a tidy house, and keeping a list of important numbers written down, not just on their phone. Mums also say to always keep a warm coat in the boot of the car, a loaf of bread in the freezer, and a birthday card in the drawer, "for emergencies".

A big area that mums have been able to shed light on was to do with saving energy and other resources, as 58% confirmed they have been taught invaluable lessons in this area, with this increasing to 78% for Gen Zs specifically.

Common wisdom included air drying clothes instead of using a tumble dryer (24%) and batch cooking meals for the week to save on money, time, and energy (14%). Mums also advise to put a jumper on instead of the heating (23%), switch sockets off at the wall when not in use (23%), and turn the lights off even if leaving a room for five minutes (26%).

A spokesperson for Utilita, which commissioned the research as part of its award-winning High5 campaign, which includes how batch cooking where possible could save households up to £52, said: "This Mother's Day we want to celebrate mums and all their wisdom, especially when it comes to helping their kids stay both financially savvy and environmentally conscious.

"We all know mums are never-ending fountains of wisdom for a range of life advice - from relationships to money. But they are perhaps less often acknowledged for the valuable lessons they teach about energy and other resources."

The strength of mum's advice is clear from the fact 70% still strictly follow the energy-saving tips bestowed on them, and even more (77%) agreed that doing so has helped them save money on their energy bills, with 89% saying their mum's attitude in this area has also helped them to be more energy-conscious themselves.

Fifty one per cent agreed the maternal figures in their life are the wisest people they know. Over seven in ten (71%) have passed down advice they've received to the younger generation, according to the OnePoll.com figures. But with or without kids, 23% find themselves repeating their mum's words of wisdom to those around them on at least a weekly basis.

Maternal advice is also trusted by 79% of Brits, beating dads (68%), siblings (64%), and even best friends (77%), which may be because 52% realised their mum was right about everything, just like she said she was, as they grew up.

When asked what piece of advice stayed with them the most, the winner was the evergreen guidance of 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'. These were also the words most often passed down to the next generation, beating other slogans such as 'if you don't ask, you don't get', 'if you're not sure about something, sleep on it', and the timeless and always appropriate, 'if in doubt, make a cup of tea'.

Utilita's spokesperson added: "There is so much to thank our mums for every single day, but especially on Mother's Day.

"A big thank you from us to every mum for always considering the little things that can end up making a huge difference."

1. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all

2. If you don't ask, you don't get

3. Put money aside on payday before you start spending

4. Keep spare cash in your wallet, "just in case"

5. If you're not sure about something, sleep on it

6. Don't go to bed angry

7. Keep a spare set of house keys with someone you trust

8. Don't go to someone's house empty-handed

9. Never borrow money from your friends

10. Lay your clothes out the night before so you're not rushing to get ready in the morning

11. Always take a jacket even if it looks sunny

12. Keep a list of important numbers written down, not just on your phone

13. Keep a basic first aid kit in the bathroom cupboard

14. Put your keys in the same place every day so you don't lose them

15. Deep clean the house before you go on holiday, to make coming home easier

16. Always have a birthday card in the drawer "for emergencies"

17. Never do the food shop when you're hungry

18. Always have emergency snacks on a long journey

19. Always have your phone fully charged before you go out

20. Always carry a bottle of water with you

21. Pack a snack in your bag so you're not "spending silly money"

22. Never send a text when angry

23. Always have a loaf of bread in the freezer

24. Fill up with petrol before the light comes on

25. If in doubt, make a cup of tea

26. Always keep a warm coat in the boot in case the car breaks down

27. Always print paper tickets in case your phone runs out of battery

28. Never make big life decisions on an empty stomach

29. Never leave the house without an umbrella, even if it's sunny

30. Return a borrowed car with a tank full of petrol