Another great way to stop impulse purchases causing debt is to freeze your credit cards – Seal them carefully in a freezer bag, and then put this bag into some water to freeze. Your cards will still be there when you need them – but the time taken for them to thaw out gives you thinking time about whether you really need to use them.

If you can afford it put a small amount of money away each week or each month. No matter how small, eventually this will mount up to a nice little pot to help cover any rainy day emergencies. Make sure that this money is put in a high interest savings account – and put the first £3000 in a cash ISA to avoid paying tax on your savings.