Credit and debt have become two words more often used together than not - and if you've become all too familiar with one preceeding the other, now is the time to start dealing with your debt problems and getting your finances back under control.

Following simple tips and pointers when using credit cards - such as making sure you have the right card and knowing what those pesky terms and conditions mean - can really save you money, if not see you start making some back!

Other than those lucky enough to have a stash of cash put away somewhere, most of us are reliant on some form of finance to help us get the things we want in life, whether it is a new home or a new car or whether we want to treat ourselves to a luxury holiday.

These days you can get some great deals on wedding loans, which are designed to help those that are planning a wedding to raise the finances for their special day.

Each year many homeowners raise money against their homes, some by arrange a remortgage and borrowing extra on top of the balance of the old mortgage, and others by simply taking out a secured loan, which is taken out independently from the initial mortgage and is secured against the available equity in the home.

There are all sorts of insurance policies available to protect various aspects of our lives these days, such as travel insurance, car insurance, medical insurance, critical illness insurance, and life insurance amongst others.

Many first time buyers are now looking at shared ownership properties, which are offered by housing associations in the UK. Basically, a shared ownership property is where you take out a mortgage loan for a certain percentage of the property and pay rent on the remainder.

Over recent years many stores have started offering their own form of credit cards, known as store cards. Store cards are a kind of ‘credit’ card with a few key differences.