In the continued period of financial strain, it is necessary for consumers to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on their pockets and purses.

It is claimed by the Post Office as a result of recently released a survey that consumers are missing out on billions of pounds by placing money into ineffective savings schemes. And during a time of high food prices and inflation, on top of reduced access to credit, it was claimed that it is more vital than ever to select attractive deals. Findings from the company identified that by placing cash into accounts which offer interest rates lower than the Bank of England’s base rate, savers may well be missing out on about 8 billion pounds every year.

Overall, thirty per cent of people are clearly unaware as to the interest rate their savings account attracts, with a further 39 per cent reporting to be unaware if their supplier has changed interest rates on such financial products over recent months. However, people living in the north-east were shown as having the least comprehension about the rate of interest they receive on their account. Here, some 37 per cent claimed were clueless as to what the amount of interest gained on their saving schemes was. On the other hand, just over a fifth (22 per cent) of people from the east Midlands were indicated as being unsure of the interest provided by their savings account provider.

Following on from saving money inefficiently, it is quite probable that consumers discover that their financial position in later life is not as strong as they once believed. This could well mean they struggle to meet spending demands such as loan repayments, the cost of house repairs or bills more expensive than previously thought they would be when they are older.

Richard Norman, director of savings at the Post Office, claimed: “It’s time savers started to take care of their savings by choosing a home for them wisely - especially in the current economic downturn. There are hundreds of poor-paying accounts, so people need to avoid them. If you don’t know what interest you are currently earning, contact your provider. If it is paying a low rate and you want it to earn more then move it. Although it might be tough to put money away at the moment, it is more important than ever to make sure your existing savings work as hard as they can for you.”

He also said that those people who are looking to open up a new account should take the time to check how much interest they will earn on their savings and if they will be able to access their money without penalty.

For those people who appear to be concerned about their capacity to put money away for the future, making use of debt consolidation loan may be recommended. By selecting this kind of loan it is possible that borrowers will be able to merge numerous constraints on their spending into one low cost monthly repayment. In turn this could leave them with an increase in disposable income, cash which could then be invested into a savings scheme.

In May a report by Birmingham Midshires shown that 77 per cent of People saved some money over the previous three months. The average amount invested was shown to stand at 938 pounds, a rise from the 910 pounds that was noted in May 2007.