With the dark clouds of the credit crunch looming in many headlines, it may not yet be too late to save for that rainy day.
With the credit crunch taking a bite out of household budgets, many experts are recommending that Britons improve, not move - but is there good financial forethought behind such suggestions?
What actions could the government take to tackle one or more of the affordability issues Britons are facing during the current economic crisis?
Everyone from the government to Tesco may seem to be compiling best buy tables these days - but are they all to be trusted?
Is switching supplier really the best way to save money on gas bills? Here are some alternative ways of cutting back on usage and costs.
Disruptions in economies around the world may have an impact on the UK financial markets - so what rates of inflation are being recorded elsewhere on the globe?
While inflation has been making headlines recently, the different ways in which it is calculated could have some consumers confused as to how far their money can stretch in the credit crunch.
UK current account holders could be interested to see the latest figures from the Office of Fair Trading in its research into bank charges.
Finances are likely to have an increasing impact on which educational institutions students choose to attend, it has been claimed.
The Bank of England has again opted to maintain the current base rate of interest at five per cent.
The high courts consideration of bank charges is now to turn to historic contracts, the BBC reports.
Prime minister Gordon Brown suggests reducing food wastage in the UK in order to keep the cost of essential items down.
While high interest rates may be good news for savers, Sainsburys Finance warns that some accounts may carry restrictions.
Savers with Nationwide may soon expect to receive different rates of interest depending on the amount they pay in, it has emerged.
A retirement overseas is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect as a cost-cutting measure, it has been claimed.
Sales of high-value goods are beginning to take a downturn as consumers look to reduce their spending, it has been revealed.
The Bank of England has blamed unpredictable events for much of the current inflation rate, which stands at 3.3 per cent.
The 2008 season of student account launches is underway, with NatWest among the latest financial services providers to show their hands.
For many backpackers the experience is not about holidaying on a tight budget, according to Lonely Planet.
The way we pay for things could be revolutionised by emerging technologies, according to Apacs.
An increase of 40 per cent could be seen in energy prices over the coming months, it has been claimed.
A debt consolidation loan is one of a number of ways of tackling an affordability crisis, it has been claimed.
The monetary policy committee has again fixed the Bank of Englands base rate of interest at five per cent.
The Law Society has dismissed the suggestion that a compensation culture exists in the UK.
Britons looking to escape the clutches of the credit crunch could do so by growing their own food, it has been suggested.
Financial services provider Bradford & Bingley has reported "disappointing" trading figures in a recent announcement.
The level of funds put aside in savings accounts by Britons in April 2008 was a new record, according to figures.
The Bank of England could ultimately lower the base rate of interest as far as four per cent, it has been predicted.
Organising finances could prove beneficial to Britons unable to achieve peace of mind during the credit crunch, it has been claimed.
The new Consumer Protection Regulations came into force on May 26th, offering greater security to Britons seeking certain products or services.
UK payments association Apacs has announced the launch of its Faster Payments Service across the country.
Traditional stashes of cash do not represent the most effective means of saving for the future, Britons have been told.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show a decrease in personal bankruptcies year-on-year.
The middle classes are not escaping the credit crunch, according to new research.
Credit cards are no long-term solution to tightened household finances, it has been suggested.
The credit crunch is having a narrowing effect on the traditional north-south economic divide, according to Experian.
Independent mortgage broker Charcol predicts a slower pattern of base rate cuts over the coming months.
Inflation has reached three per cent once again, according to new figures.
British Gas parent group Centrica has indicated that it may increase prices in order to maintain profitability into the second half of 2008.
Economists are divided as to how soon the Bank of Englands monetary policy committee is likely to change the base rate of interest.
The monetary policy committee has agreed to maintain the base rate of interest at its current level of five per cent for another month.
This weeks monetary policy committee decision could be spurred by the inflationary outlook in the immediate future, according to an economist.
Financial services provider to the over-50s Saga is aiming to deliver competitive account features, regardless of changes in the competition.
Many Britons are working so hard to pay their bills that they are left with no personal time, according to American Express Insurance Services.
The lowest rung on the housing ladder "has broken", according to John Charcol.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging employers to beat the mid-May deadline for filing their tax returns.
The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) has dismissed the suggestion that the UK could be heading for a recession.
Those hit by the removal of the 10p income tax rate should be compensated as soon as possible, according to Citizens Advice.
The High Court has confirmed that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) may pursue its assessment of the fairness of overdraft charges, it has been revealed.
Household expenditure growth is likely to "cool" over the coming months, according to Alliance Trust Research Centre.
Disruptions in the finance sector have "heavily impaired" the operations of many practitioners, the Bank of England observes.
Debt is weighing heavily on the minds of the nations young people, according to Abbey.
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has lowered its interest rates in line with the Bank of Englands base rate decrease.
Up to 80 per cent of UK firms could be putting their customers data at risk by not encrypting hard drive contents, it has emerged.
European holidays may be worse value than long-haul trips, according to research from Post Office.
There are ways in which life insurance providers can be certain if a customer is a non-smoker, it has been claimed.
The Bank of England has lowered the base rate of interest by 25 basis points to five per cent.
The latest disc of customer details to be lost has been announced by HSBC, it has emerged.
Consumers have been warned to ensure they obtain tax advice from a qualified professional.
The Bank of England could opt to cut the base rate this month, according to an economist.
Northern Rock is aiming to repay its debts by the end of 2010, according to a new business plan announced by the financial services provider.
March 31st sees the official introduction of the 2008 edition of the Banking Code.
An atypical cut in the base rate of interest may be needed despite improving growth expectations, according to John Charcol.
With Easter weekend upon the nation, Saga is warning British homeowners not to attempt DIY without adequate home insurance.
Mortgage holders who are likely to need to remortgage in the coming months could be advised to switch early, it has been suggested.
Turbulence in the financial markets has been led by decreased share prices for financial institutions, the Bank of England notes.
HM Treasury suggests allowing homeowners to insure their properties against a fall in valuations.
The Chartered Institute of Taxation has praised Alistair Darling for unveiling a cautious Budget this year.
Following this weeks 2008 Budget announcement, consumers could find their finances affected in a number of different ways.
Many of the UKs most vulnerable residents are missing out on council tax rebates, it has been claimed.
Changes to UK legislation on depositor protection could be seen as a hurried response to the Northern Rock crisis, according to the British Bankers Association (BBA).
There are a number of factors to consider when determining which is the most appropriate bank account, it has been claimed.
The Bank of England will not change the interest rate in March, according to a number of economists.
The monetary policy committee (MPC) may have to lower the base rate further in the long term than if it were to take more rapid action, it has been claimed.
Pre-Christmas expenditure could be having a knock-on effect on some households monthly finances, it has been claimed.
Mortgage customers of Northern Rock should not be unduly worried by the nationalisation of the financial services provider, it has been claimed.
Pensions could become more costly for Britons in light of revised mortality expectations, it is warned.
Consumers who switch energy supplier could still find their bills reduced in spite of the widespread price increases, it has been claimed.
Consumers may have to wait a little longer to receive any refunds on their bank charges, it has emerged.
The typical consumer takes ten hours to report their credit card lost or stolen, according to security group CPP.
The 2007 festive shopping season did not show as much growth as in recent years, it has been revealed.
The Bank of Englands decision to cut the base rate by 0.25 per cent is a result of the rising cost of utility bills, it has been claimed.
Romance is on the agenda for many Britons, it has been revealed - but comes with good and bad news for their personal finances.
A reduction in the base rate in this months monetary policy committee meeting could come as welcome news to homeowners, it has been claimed.
The changing tax environment since 1997 has hit average earners the hardest, according to the Centre for Policy Studies.
Britons who were unable to file their tax return online yesterday have until midnight to avoid a penalty, it is revealed.
The Bank of England will lower the base rate next week, according to financial industry insiders.
HM Treasury has announced a five-point plan to help secure the UKs economic outlook for the future.
Bank of England governor Mervyn King has been reappointed to serve a further five-year term in the role, it has emerged.
The cost to Britons of tax avoidance among the super-rich totals £13 billion each year, it has emerged.
It is imperative that utility providers assist customers left facing energy poverty due to rising fuel prices, according to an industry watchdog.
The current economic upheavals in the UK represent a "fundamental adjustment", Deloitte claims.
Fraudulent behaviour by an employee has resulted in a "significant loss" being incurred by Parisian bank Societe Generale, it has emerged.
A personal finance expert urges Britons to "get smart, get savvy" and address their monetary problems.
Britons impulse-buying habits are adding to the amount owed on credit card bills, it has emerged.
The fallout from Christmas expenditure sees a drop in saving for children in February, it has emerged.
The impending publication of the Bank of Englands quarterly inflation report was a key influencing factor in the decision not to change the base rate of interest, it has emerged.
So-called Blue Monday went worse than expected for UK investors, with £77 billion wiped off the FTSE 100.
The Bank of England has revealed plans to help Northern Rock over the coming years, with nationalisation one proposed option.
It is essential that businesses meet the January 31st self-assessment deadline for tax returns, HM Revenue & Customs has asserted.
A mis-selling case between Equitable Life and 407 of its annuity holders has been settled, it has emerged.
A new customer charter has been released to help govern the industry, the Department for International Development (DFID) reveals.
A test case examining the legality of bank charges for unauthorised overdrafts begins in the high court this week, the Office of Fair Trading reveals.
The laws relating to data protection must be tightened to prevent further high-profile leaks, a government committee warns.
The Bank of England has opted to maintain the current base rate of 5.5 per cent in its January meeting.
Consumers need not necessarily be hit by energy cost increases, it has been suggested.
With the self-assessment tax deadline looming, UK businesses have now been told that HM Revenue & Customs staff could be going on strike.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has expressed concern over the availability of gas from continental Europe in a letter to energy watchdog Ofgem.
The monetary policy committees decision to lower the base rate was unanimous, the Bank of England has revealed.
Britons could be facing a brighter Christmas financially thanks to seasonal sales, it has been claimed.
The Bank of England faces a year of difficult interest rate decisions, according to the Confederation of British Industry.
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined Norwich Union for compromising the security of its life insurance customers.
Payment protection insurance (PPI) is generally not available to seasonal workers such as Santa, an expert warns.
A number of major lenders have responded to the Bank of Englands decision to lower interest rates by passing the saving on to their customers.
Consumers are less willing to save for expenses such as Christmas, it has been claimed.
Britons in debt could be breathing a collective sigh of relief following the Bank of Englands move to reduce the base rate to 5.5 per cent, it has been claimed.
The Bank of England has lowered the base rate of interest to 5.5 per cent - as economists predict a year of such cuts.
A tenth of all personal loan products were withdrawn by lenders over the course of November, it has emerged.
A number of participants in the mortgage market are calling for a reduction in the base rate at this Thursdays meeting of the monetary policy committee.
The Bank of England appears unlikely to lower interest rates, in spite of a number of recent economic crises, it has been claimed.
Northern Rock reveals it considers the proposed buyout deal from Virgin Money to be the best solution to its current liquidity crisis.
The UK banking industry has revealed plans to object if it is held accountable for refunding any money lost by child benefit recipients due to the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) data breach.
Attempts to bring Britons out of fuel poverty are undermined by high charges from utility providers, a consumer watchdog claims.
Britons moving house this festive season are likely to retain a firm grip on their finances, it has emerged.
Britons with dormant bank accounts are to receive assistance from the British Bankers Association (BBA) to reclaim their funds, it has emerged.
Young Britons are looking to their savings accounts as they plan for the future, it has been claimed.
The Bank of Englands monetary policy committee has voted to maintain the base rate of interest.
Many consumers are looking to reduce their expenditure in the run-up to Christmas, it has been claimed.
The total level of funds held in individual savings accounts (Isas) has reached record levels, reports the BBC.
Up to 15,000 Standard Life customers may be at increased risk of identity fraud, it has been revealed.
Chancellor Alistair Darling warns Britons to keep the credit crunch "in perspective" as Charles Prince steps down as chief executive officer (CEO) of US financial services provider Citigroup.
Many credit card holders are unaware of the order in which their borrowing is repaid, according to Nationwide.
Contactless cards are capable of completing transactions in one hundredth of the time taken by using cash, Visa claims.
The worlds stock markets could still be at risk from the effects of the global credit crunch, it has been warned.
A number of banks have formalised their defence against accusations of levying unfair current account charges, it has emerged.
The London Stock Exchange was bracing itself for a potential Black Monday rerun this week, it has emerged.
Customers are to have their tax-free Isa allowance reinstated if they emptied savings from accounts with Northern Rock, it has emerged.
Financial services group HBOS is to appear in court to explain why it has not repaid 11 customers bank charges, reports the BBC.
Customers on low incomes are being ripped off by their energy suppliers, according to an industry body.
The base rate of interest could fall as early as November, it has been claimed.
The Bank of England has voted to maintain the current base rate of interest at 5.75 per cent.
Britons could expect to see an interest rate cut in the run-up to Christmas, it has been suggested.
A claims management firm could bring legal action against Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), it has emerged.
Chancellor Alistair Darling is considering raising the maximum level of protection for consumers savings to £100,000, reports the Financial Times.
HM Treasury has reasserted the terms of its guarantee for Northern Rock customers in order to be fair to other financial services providers.
The nine members of the Bank of Englands monetary policy committee (MPC) all voted to maintain the base rate at 5.75 per cent this month, it has emerged.
Northern Rock has reasserted itself as a "safe place" for mortgages and savings.
Hundreds of Northern Rock customers queued for hours to empty their savings accounts this weekend, it has emerged.
Many of the interest rates offered on banks primary services are aimed solely at achieving a favourable ranking in best buy tables, according to Nationwide.
Cash machines operated by HSBC are to warn the banks customers if they are nearing the limit of the overdraft agreed on their current account, it has emerged.
The Bank of England remains in "wait and see" mode as it gauges the impact of interest rate rises, an analyst has claimed.
HSBCs decision not to charge full interest on graduate overdrafts is "welcome", it has been claimed.
Barclays turned to the Bank of England for a £1.6 billion emergency loan following a "glitch" last week, it has emerged.
Britons should never disclose bank account details to telephone callers claiming to be from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the industry body advises.
Money earmarked for investments may be safer in savings accounts, Sainsburys Bank suggests.
Investments remain safe in the long-term, it has been advised.
UK payments association Apacs has announced the introduction of a faster transfer system is to be delayed until May 2008.
The Bank of England unanimously voted to maintain interest rates at its August meeting, it has been revealed.
Savings accounts are more profitable in periods of high base interest rates, it has been claimed.
Interest rates seem set to hit six per cent following the publication of the Bank of Englands quarterly inflation report.
Britons are failing to keep track of where their current accounts are held, it has been suggested.
The Treasury select committee has demanded that money held in dormant current accounts should go to charitable causes.
It is paramount that Britons continue to reclaim their current account charges, an expert suggests.
The Bank of England has voted to maintain the base rate of interest, it has emerged.
Consumers complaining about unauthorised current account usage charges could find their objection put on hold, it has emerged.
The Office of Fair Trading is taking legal action over unauthorised overdraft charges on current accounts, it has been revealed.
Internet bank first direct is "pleased" with the number of current account customers who have not moved to another provider following the introduction of a monthly charge, a spokesperson states.
Parents are draining their savings accounts to furnish nurseries for their newborns, it has emerged.
Banks could face legal action over their current account charges, rather than settling out of court, it has emerged.
Interest rate offers are frequently designed to attract customers to a current account which will not be of long-term benefit, it has been warned.
Consumers obtaining an online tariff for their utility bills could see their savings account boosted, it has been claimed.
A judge has criticised the tactics employed by banks when facing allegations of unfair current account overdraft charges.
A judgment is reportedly imminent in the current account charges case brought against NatWest by barrister Tom Brennan.
Lloyds TSB has won a landmark victory in a row over unauthorised current account overdraft charges.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is to charge £12 for holders of current accounts who do not inform it of any change of address.
An Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation is to focus on bank charges for current accounts.
First direct is encouraging its current account holders to go paperless by planting trees in their honour.
Halifax has announced the introduction of a number of new features and cosmetic upgrades to its online banking website.
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has revealed it is to expand its mobile banking service to give customers across Yorkshire access to their current accounts.
Nearly a third (31 per cent) of Britons would keep their own current account if entering into a new relationship, Alliance & Leicester has found.
Halifax is offering new customers a bonus of £100 to entice current account holders away from the "big four banks".
Lloyds TSB has noted that the number of current account transactions conducted online has tripled over the last 12 months.
People withdrawing funds from current accounts and instant access savings accounts at surcharging cash machines could face fees totalling £16.4 million, according to Sainsburys Bank.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has welcomed a government initiative aimed at the uptake of current accounts.
Customers of innovative bank first direct will soon be able to access their current account by video conferencing, the company has announced.
Experts are warning that students are facing more financial hardship than ever before.
Undergraduates are being advised to shop around for the best student account ahead of the new term.
Banks and building societies have increased the cost of their penalty charges by an average of 20 per cent over the last three years, according to a new study.
HSBC has added new features to its Bank Account Plus credit account that are expected to prove popular with customers.
The Nationwide Building society has announced that it is set to increase its rate of interest on all savings accounts.
Yorkshire Building Society has launched a new regular savings account.
Although it is now three weeks since the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to raise the base rate by 0.25, a number of mortgage and savings account providers have still to announce their changes.
Abbey has announced that it has increased the interest it pays on many current accounts.
Lloyds TSB has launched the UKs first Islamic student current account.
