advice and advise
If a financial advisor advises you well, you may follow the advice. Memory jog: unwanted advice is a vice.
affect and effect
The weather affects the town and the effect (result) is disastrous. Memory jog: a for action.
dependant and dependent
A child is a dependant. She relies on others for her keep.
The man is dependent on his computer. He needs it even when he's on the bus.
deserts or desserts?
If you receive an appropriate punishment, do you get your just deserts or just desserts?
Answer: just deserts
This word is not related to deserts of sand and cactus or desserts that are puddings. This deserts comes from the same word as deserve.
it's and its
It's a wise dog that scratches its own fleas. (Strunk & White)
It's is short for it is and its is possessive. The fleas belong to the dog.
