Banks and building societies will face curbs on dipping into your savings to clear debts, under proposals from industry regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Mortgage lenders have been banned from hitting borrowers behind on payments with punitive charges if they have already set up a payment plan to clear any arrears.
Cheap balance transfer credit cards are back in vogue but millions still don't know how to use one properly which has cost them hundreds of pounds a year.