Tag Archives: Money

Not That Kind of Girl By Lena Dunham Book Review

Posted on by

9780008101268Where to start? I guess with the fact that this book is not what I thought it would be. It’s not bad, it’s just not what I expected. Let’s get the controversy out of the way: I don’t believe Lena molested her sister. The passage about ‘spreading open her vagina’ makes for very uncomfortable reading but, in my opinion, is very different from sexual abuse. Same gender curiosity in young children is different from sexual abuse, many have said that if this book was written by a male things would be different, but not if the male did what Lena did to his brother. Young children don’t even know what sex is. So, end of.

The thing is, I don’t relate to Lena Dunham. Or at least I thought I did until I read this book. I don’t get the drug use, I am very anti-drugs and always have been. I don’t even care if I come across as boring but mentioning casual drug use as if it is not a thing to me is irresponsible. Many people think drug use is ‘cool’ and ‘artistic’ but it’s not. Drugs ruin lives and society. Now go ahead and judge me for my controversial view: I don’t care. The book is full of sex: masturbation and sexual encounters. This also makes for uncomfortable reading. Not bad reading, just uncomfortable. Dunham seems to want to punish herself with jerks and bad sexual encounters. It’s a version of self-loathing and it made me want to pick her up and hug her. Then of course there is the fact that Dunham was raped. Rape is never fun to read about, but Dunham’s courage in telling her story is commendable. The book is full of brutal honesty.

I know that in many ways this review will seem like a bad review, it’s not. I still think Dunham is talented, amazing, brilliant: a trail blazer. We are similar in age and I also made a web series about young twenty-somethings struggling to find their way in life, though with less success than the juggernaut that is Girls. We are both writer/producers/actors/directors and I always thought that Dunham was so together. I think she is now and that is what is interesting about this book. After all of the self-loathing, punishing herself dating/having sex with men who treated her terribly and other self-destructive behaviour the book comes beautifully full circle: she no longer runs away from people and herself, she in many ways, becomes a grown up. She finally stops causing herself pain. While I related more to Amy Poehler and her awesome book, Yes Please, there is something here to learn. Dunham is unvarnished, naked, almost embarrassing in her honesty. Dunham has been called the voice of her generation many times. Truth is, she doesn’t speak for me or many people that I know. But the thing is: it doesn’t matter. She is still paving the way for women, still creating waves in the film and TV industry, still making progress in a brutal, sexist industry. It doesn’t matter that I don’t 100% relate to her: she is still awesome.  I may not write endlessly about my vagina the way Dunham does but then, maybe my vagina just isn’t that interesting. There is a lot of stories of bad sex in this book, and I hope that other women who read it don’t think this is par for the course. It shouldn’t be.

This book is certainly worth a read. It really made me think and feel. This is essentially a collection of autobiographical essays which Dunham was paid £2.3m for by Random House. It is not as good as it could have been, and Dunham could have done with more editing, but she is certainly a talented writer and I am sure there will be more to come. As Dunham says in the book: “There is nothing gutsier to me than a person announcing that their story is one that deserves to be told, especially if that person is a woman,”

Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned is available here.

 

 

 

 

Only 2% of Britons Know How Rich They Really Are

Posted on by

moneyWe are not sure if you saw Channel 4’s How Rich Are You Show last night but it was interesting. Take the quiz and find out how rich or poor you are below. The poll is also an eye-opener.

In a new poll commissioned by Channel 4, people in the UK were asked to guess how their income compared with the rest of the country’s, and then answer a series of questions to calculate the true result. Only 2% of the people surveyed guessed correctly.

The poll was commissioned to accompany How Rich Are You (1 x60) which airs at 8pm on the 10th November. Presented by Richard Bacon, this one-off special will show each of us where we stand in the great money map of Britain – and what that position means. With the help of leading experts, a studio audience and individual case studies, the show builds up a shocking and surprising portrait of the country that is now – officially – the most unequal in Europe.

Alongside the programme, the channel has launched a website app which will enable every viewer to take the ‘How Rich Are You’ test at home. Visitors to channel4.com/howrichareyou can answer a set of simple questions to determine if they are as rich or as poor as they think they are. The data for the app has been provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

As many as 67% of the people surveyed underestimated their income compared by more than 10%, indicating a serious lack of understanding as to the economic state of the nation. Only 7% of people overestimated their income compared to the UK – but nobody overestimated by more than 10%. Just 2% correctly estimated their level of income vs the UK population.

The survey reveals that despite the struggles of the current economic climate, 75% of adults say that they manage financially, with 16% stating they struggle to get by.

Despite this there is still a bleak picture of life in 2014, as 61% feel that life in Britain has worsened over the last 20 years. Just 13% feel that life has improved.

The survey shed light on our embarrassment at talking about money. It revealed that 31% of adults surveyed would not be happy to discuss how much money they earn with family and friends, while 19% are not sure how they feel about it.

Interestingly, it is younger people who are more willing to discuss finances, with 60% of those aged 16-24 happy to talk about how much money they make.

When asked about inequality across the UK, the majority of adults (84%) think that the wealthy should pay higher taxes.

Those that feel they have enough money in their household (rating themselves as ‘well off’) feel less strongly on this matter, but still display strong agreement at 73%.

The survey also asked people about average salaries of other professions including a nurse, MP, care worker and average CEO. The results were fascinating with 70% of people overestimating the salaries of a CEO and more than half overestimating the salaries of an MP.

  • An average Nurse in the UK earns just over £26,000. Half of the adults that we spoke to correctly chose this amount, a quarter over estimated how much they earn, while a further quarter under-estimated their wage. Interestingly, those who were struggling in their household underestimated a nurse’s wage the most, while those that were well off overestimated their wage the most.
  • Just 27% of adults correctly knew an MPs current wage of £66,400, while a further 31% thought that MPs were on their soon to be higher wage of £72,000. A further 26% thought that they were paid nearly £20,000 more than their current wage.
  • An average care worker in the UK earns just under £13,000, 42% of adults correctly chose their wage. 50% thought that their earnings were at least 30% higher.
  • An average CEO in the UK earns an annual income of just under £118,000. Just 13% of the adults we spoke to correctly picked this amount, the majority (70%) thought their wage was significantly higher.

Dr Fazia Shaheen, Economist and expert on How Rich Are You? commented: “These numbers serve as a reminder of how little we understand about each other’s lives. We are failing to see the bigger picture – too busy trying to get by on our own wages to notice the growing gap between the very rich and the rest of us.”

John Hay, Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 commented: ““I’m convinced that years from now we will look back on the growing gap between rich and poor as the most significant issue of our age, and I think there’s a real hunger to understand it better (as well as to find out how much our neighbours earn). Richard and the team at Electric Ray have a gift for making important television that doesn’t feel like homework, so I hope this will be both revelatory and addictive viewing.”

Take the quiz here.

 

The Wealthy Women: A Man Is Not a Financial Plan. Mary Waring Interview

Posted on by

The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan: A Woman's Guide to Achieving Financial SecurityWe interviewed The Wealthy Women: A Man Is Not a Financial Plan author Mary Waring. She had some great advice to give and has also written a great book that every women should read. In the meantime, pick up some tips in our interview with her.

 

What made you write the book?

I’ve come across so many very bright women who have an issue with maths and finance. My theory is that the way it is taught in schools is much more suited to a typical male brain rather than a female brain. (I obviously don’t have a typical female brain!)

So many bright women have a mental block about maths and dealing with their finances. I decided therefore I’m would write a very down to earth, no jargon guide to looking after your finances and improving your wealth.

Are women worse than men when it comes to finance?

As above, I think women tend to put it very far down the list of priorities. They look after the house, their partner, the children etc but very far down the list is looking after themselves. In addition only about 10% of advisers are female. The typical adviser is male, middle aged, grey hair, grey suit. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that but many women are looking for someone different and may be struggling to find a female adviser.

Do too many women still rely financially on men?

I think a lot do. The female often looks after the house and the children and all the general housekeeping issues. The male often looks after the finances. In any relationship it’s sensible for one person to look after the finances, and in my experience that is often the male. The woman does not play an active role in the finances and if worst thing happens and they get divorced the female is totally at a loss as to how to look after herself financially. A number of women also assume their husband’s pension will cover both of them in retirement. But this may not be the case.

What are women’s financial strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths- very good at following a set procedure once it’s explained to them. They’re not as competitive as men as a rule so do not need to “beat the market” with their investment return. They’re looking for a steady investment growth. They’re happy to take advice and happy to admit if there’s something they don’t understand.

Weaknesses- lack of confidence regarding finances and tendency to stick their head in the sand rather than deal with it.

What can women do to help themselves financially?

If their partner deals with the finances make sure they sit down on a regular basis and discuss the finances: how much money comes in each month, how much gets spent and what on. Discuss what savings, investments and pensions exist.

If they deal with the finances themselves, then start to look at what they are spending against what income is coming in. They must start to plan for the future and consider what income they will need/want in retirement.

What pitfalls should they look about for?

If something goes wrong (e.g. a large unexpected bill) don’t give up and think the plan isn’t working. Keep at it.

What is the best way to save?

The best way to save is to have a regular amount come out of your account each month by standing order or direct debit. Have that money come out of your account before you start spending. Frequently people wait until the end of the month and decide to save what’s left in their account. But all too often there’s nothing left. If the saving happens before spending it often won’t be noticed that there is less to spend.


Best way to get out of debt?

The best way to get out of debt is to do a strict budget so that you can pay off as much as possible of the debt as quickly as possible. Interest on debt increases at a huge amount so make an effort to get the debt paid down by always paying more than the minimum.

Best way to get wealthy?

The best way to get wealthy is to make that your priority and then each day take some small steps towards achieving that. Too often this looks like too big a challenge but it’s the small steps on a regular basis that can really help your wealth. Choosing to eat out at a much cheaper spot than you would normally use will not make any difference to your wealth if you do it just once. But if you do this on a regular basis so you can save more, then over time it will make a difference.

Top financial tip?

For a period of 3 months keep a very detailed record of what you are spending, including everything that you pay for in cash. Carry a notebook around in your handbag so you can note it down straight away. Look at this in detail and ask yourself “How can I reduce this cost?”. You’d be surprised how much we all overspend without being aware of it. Until you know what you’re spending your money on you are not in a position to do anything about it.

Thank you Mary.

The Wealthy Woman is available from Amazon and is reviewed here.

 

The Wealthy Women: A Man Is Not A Financial Plan Book Review

Posted on by

The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan: A Woman's Guide to Achieving Financial SecurityThe Wealthy Woman is a book that is sorely needed. I have lost count of the amount of women I have met who are terrible at finance, and that is saying nothing for the ones that really do think that a man is a financial plan. I mean, they’re really not.

Relying financially on a man causes a lot of problems: he could leave you, he could lose his job, he could treat you badly and you  feel you can’t leave because you would be too poor, he could think he has all of the power because he pays the bills…the list goes on. True freedom and happiness comes when a women is financially independent. Can this book help? Yes.

Some finance books can be scary but this one isn’t. In fact it is fun, concise, comprehensive and educational all at once. The author also takes two women, one savvy and one not-so-savvy, and follows them through the years and charts the consequences of their financial decisions. I found this particularly useful. I think a lot of women would read it and it will (hopefully) give them a wake-up call.

The book gives you financial advice for each decade of your life, and where you will end up. It let’s you know that only you can be responsible for your financial future and being an ostrich won’t help at all. It also helps you calculate your net worth, sort out your finances and get out of debt if you have it.

It also covers pensions, saving and investing. In fact, most things are covered in this excellent book. Buy it for yourself or/and the females in your life. It is packed with good advice and tips that could change your life for the better.

 

‘The Wealthy Woman – a man is not a financial plan’ by Mary Waring has worked with 100s of women helping them take control of their finances.

Far too many women find ‘dealing with the money’ a daunting task and leave it in the hands of their partners. However, this can leave them with little control over their own financial lives and sadly, if they then get divorced or are widowed, they are left floundering with little understanding of how much money they have, or don’t have, and what this means to their lifestyle.

By understanding your finances and taking control you can make your money work for you. That’s the message in Mary Waring’s new book ‘The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Achieving Financial Security’.

“Many women tell me that they simply don’t do maths – and this mental block seems to be an epidemic among women everywhere. However, these are often admirable women with high-level jobs. My message is simple – you are more than able to handle all of your finances,” says Mary Waring.

So, do you want to be more confident about your finances? Do you want to be a wealthy woman?

“Wealthy” will mean different things to different women. It doesn’t necessarily mean “rolling in it” and having so much money that you’ll enter The Times ‘rich list’. It may simply mean you feel confident you will have enough money to do the things that you plan to do in the future, no matter how lavish or frugal a lifestyle you lead.

Mary’s book will guide you on your journey to become a wealthy woman by showing you how taking small steps on a regular basis can lead to a significant increase in your wealth.

If you currently have such a lack of control over your finances that you are too afraid to open your credit card statement at the end of the month, this book will show you how to take control.

“The Wealthy Woman” will encourage you to think about your attitude towards money and your relationship with it.

As Mary says; “It’s easy to be wealthy just as it’s easy to be poor. There’s very little difference in the way you can become either. You are in a position where you can improve your wealth. Whatever your dreams and aspirations around money there is nothing to stop you moving towards those dreams.”

Mary Waring is an independent financial adviser and the founder of Wealth For Women, specialising in financial advice to women going through divorce. She is both a Chartered Financial Planner and a Chartered Accountant, being one of only a handful of advisers in the whole of the UK with this high level of qualification.

Mary is passionate about changing the way women think about finance. Too many women stick their head in the sand and ignore it. Or…rely on a man to sort it for them.

‘The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Achieving Financial Security’ is available from Amazon and all good bookstores.

For more information see: www.mary-waring.co.uk

 

How Much Are Mum’s Worth?

Posted on by

Mum is Worth £100k Per YearmumInfograph thanks to prezzybox.com

The Rise of Female Bloggers

Posted on by

Frost magazineI am not actually a fan of things that pick out gender, race or class. A person should be solely judged on who they are and what they do, but we don’t live in an ideal world. Then I read Dr Duncan Green’s blog post on why there are so few female bloggers and I thought ‘what the hell is he talking about?’ Personally I have nothing against Dr Green. I am sure he is a lovely person, but, in this point, he is not accurate.

There are a wealth of female bloggers out there, writing about anything and everything you can think of. Personally I started blogging when I was 15. I had a livejournal and I would blog about other women I admired. Sofia Coppola and Angelina Jolie were my main points of conversation. I have a blog in which I cover my acting career, and now I also have a blog called Frost Magazine which I have run for four years. Frost is my baby, It has been more successful than I thought it could ever be and was picked up by Handpicked Future. But one women does not make a revolution. So I have found and interviewed the top female bloggers in Britain today. The criteria was the following: I had to read the blog and enjoy it and so did other people. Simple. I apologise if I left you out, there are thousands of other female bloggers out there and it is not possible to cover everyone. But do get in contact if you have a blog. I hope their blogs and answers inspire many more women to set up blogs and make their voice heard. (in the issue of clarity, I have also answered these questions. My answers are at the bottom).

Name Debbie Djordjevic Blog www.thelife-edit.blogspot.com

How long have you been blogging for?

About a year

Describe your blog

It’s a general lifestyle blog written by a woman in her late forties. We are under-represented in the blogosphere but just because you hit a new marketing demographic doesn’t mean you somehow ‘die’. I am as interested in fashion, beauty, food and popular culture as I was twenty years ago, I just have an older (but not necessarily wiser) take on things. I write for women like me and to show the younger generation that ageing is nothing to be scared of and can actually be enjoyed. I have late teenage daughters who keep me young but I don’t want to be them, we just learn from one another really. I like finding products that I think work and are relevant and I will pass those on. I hope I inform and inspire and also entertain, but I write it for me as an aide memoir as much as anything – I have been known to visit my own blog for a recipe I’ve loved rather than search for it again through my numerous cookbooks.

How did you get started?

Well working at Handpicked Media with so many blogs I felt I needed to really understand a bloggers perspective and the only way to do that was to start one myself.  I am a journalist by trade and this is a very different kettle of fish.

Highest point?

Seeing my traffic grow considerably once I came out of the Google search sandbox and everyone could find me. Having people respond to posts – though I must admit this tends to happen on my Facebook page or on Twitter rather than on my blog.

Lowest Point?

Clearing off all the spam comments which are written to try to fool me – I’ve been around too long to be fooled!

Favourite blog?

Now I am not going to get into trouble with all my brilliant blogger mates out there, but I can tell you the first blog I read was www.lileks.com which is an American journalist’s blog which makes me laugh out loud and gives me insight into American life. I started reading him as far back as 2002 so I have been aware of blogging for a long time. Inspiration? The many, many blogs I come across in my day job. I admire their passion, tenacity and the fact that they have gained audiences by tapping in to what people want to read.

Top tips for other bloggers?

Keep going and don’t do it for the money. It’s a brilliant way of getting exposure, proving that you have opinions worth sharing, making friends, and gaining experience, just don’t expect to necessarily be able to give up the day job. Some can, but the vast majority should do it for fun and to share a voice.

Do you make a living blogging?

No and I wouldn’t want to. I have spent 20 years making a living from either writing or editing and this is a blessed release. The freedom to blog about a wide range of topics and to give my own opinion is worth more. If I was younger I may think differently and I’m in awe of those who manage to make a living, don’t get me wrong – and lots of them keep their credibility and unique voice while doing so – it’s just not the reason I blog.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

It’s not just women don’t forget, men add a lot too! But women specifically have had decades of being told by the likes of me what to wear, what to buy and how to live. We all need a little assurance that we are making the right choices (we can’t all be trend setters, how appalling would that be) but it is cool to get opinions from women ‘just like me’ rather than the media. I have experienced through the different communities I have been involved with over the years the most incredible and powerful support that women give one another over the internet. Women who may never meet, who come from different backgrounds and experiences are able, via online communities and social media tools to work together, give encouragement, support and encourage and sometimes (though thankfully not too often) support in a very basic way when others are grieving. It is a shame that the publicity that is given online is always to the minority of bullies and ‘trolls’ who enjoy creating miser,y other than the thousands out there who daily give support and encouragement and are never talked about. Women are not stupid, they know what they like and they naturally like to share their experiences with others – the internet has given them a voice which is relevant and often extremely knowledgeable.

Name Carrie Barclay (aka Queenie) Blogs DIGITAL bungalow — www.digitalbungalow.co.uk Kitchen Bitching — www.kitchenbitching.co.uk

How long have you been blogging for? DIGITAL bungalow launched in June 2011 and Kitchen Bitching launched in November 2011.

Describe your blogs

DIGITAL bungalow is a conglomerate of creative minds. Technically a lifestyle blog, Db features everything from art to restaurant reviews; wedding inspiration to fashion photography … and many other subjects in between. We want DIGITAL bungalow to be a source of inspiration so if it inspires you in some way, we’ll feature it! Kitchen Bitching is a cookery site like no other; aimed at enthusiastic amateur cooks with some knowledge but in need of a friendly, helping hand from fellow enthusiasts. All amateur cooks know the pain of a recipe that just won’t do as it’s told. Like a disobedient puppy it sulks, sticks, slides or sinks at that crucial moment just as your mother-in-law is rap-rapping on the door. Kitchen Bitching is here to provide an open forum for amateur cooks to bitch about their culinary woes, rave about their kitchen triumphs and get hints and tips from the very best source – other cooks!

How did you get started?

I write for a living, and my partner is a photographer. DIGITAL bungalow was simply an opportunity to write about anything and everything that inspired myself and my partner. Very quickly we caught the bug and we were, for a time, posting at least once a day. When Kitchen Bitching was born we reduced our posts on Db to allow us to focus on KB, and now DIGITAL bungalow and Kitchen Bitching run harmoniously alongside each other. The idea for Kitchen Bitching came about during a bitching session in our kitchen about a cake recipe that wasn’t playing ball! Within days the site was designed and live, and we haven’t looked back! We appointed an Editor about a month after launch and we’ve now got 12 regular contributors and an ever-growing number of loyal, enthusiastic readers.

Highest point?

The highest point to date has to be when DIGITAL bungalow was incorporated as a Limited Company. What started as a little pastime has now become a bona fide business and we’re thrilled to be in talks with people about running events for bloggers, and I’ve recently been headhunted as a consultant for KAPOW Consulting to help new bloggers and small businesses enter into the blogosphere.

Lowest point?

When we were trying to keep up momentum of posting every single day and I felt that Db was losing its focus it was a difficult time. I all but gave up on the project, until my wonderful partner (in business and in life) sat me down and told me where I was going wrong. In blogging there’s sometimes no one to rein you in or monitor what you’re doing, so it’s fantastic to work alongside someone who you trust to get the best out of you and not let you wander too far off-track.

Favourite blog?

Other than my own (of course!) my absolute favourite blog in the world is A Beautiful Mess (http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/). The design, the subject matter, the photography and the aspirational nature of this blog means I can lose myself for hours in its folds and crevices. Elsie Larson really knows her stuff and her approach is friendly warm and inviting – A Beautiful Mess is a lovely place to spend time.

Inspiration?

Db is inspired by everything we come into contact with that gets us excited! On a personal level as a blogger I do really admire Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess and Sian Meades of Domestic Sluttery (for whom I was a columnist until recently); both ladies are such established, professional bloggers flying the flag for female bloggers and businesswomen everywhere. Kitchen Bitching is inspired by every man, woman and child out there who wants to be able to cook up a storm in the kitchen but invariably ends up sitting under a table with a tea towel over their heads having a little weep (or is that just me?!). Again, on a personal level I have to say that Holly Bell (of Great British Bake Off fame) is a truly inspirational woman. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Holly on a number of features on Kitchen Bitching – she’s such a down-to-earth, realistic person and, my word, can she cook!

Top tips for other bloggers.

Be nice! Bloggers have a bit of a reputation in certain industries for having a rather inflated sense of self-importance. The world doesn’t owe you a living, and PRs aren’t there just to give you free stuff. If you got into blogging for the freebies then may I politely suggest you get out now! Blogging is about personal opinion, self-expression and having a creative outlet. Sure, sometimes people will want to offer you nice things, often for free, but remember that these are a privilege, not a right. Find clarity. Your blog is like your baby. You won’t be able to see its sticking-out ears or unfortunately shaped nose. To you your blog is perfect, but make sure you have some people around that you trust to let you know if you’re moving down the wrong path or wandering off on a tangent. A blog is an ever-evolving entity, but if you’re simply revolving with no real purpose then you’ll struggle to engage your audience. Remember the photos! Images are SO important in a blog – we all spend so much of our time on computers for work and pleasure that a break from big chunks of text in the form of clear, well-composed, engaging pictures is a sure-fire way of getting readers coming back for more! Do you make a living blogging? How do you make a living from blogging? DIGITAL bungalow is now a Limited Company so we now do make money from what we do – although not purely from the sites on their own – we make money through using our reputation as bloggers to help new bloggers and small businesses set up social media platforms, through organising events and we also offer sponsorship deals and partnerships to a very select number of companies that we admire and respect.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

Women add to the blogosphere exactly what men add. The world of blogging is a micro version of the real world. There are wonderful caring people, horrible bullies, friends-in-the-making and people you’d cross over the street to avoid. Women are as much of a necessity in the blogosphere as they are in reality. In order to have a successful, thriving blogging community you need representatives from all walks of life – men, women, children and even the odd pet included.

Name Shimelle Laine Blog pretty paper. true stories. www.shimelle.com 

How long have you been blogging for?

I started blogging informally via livejournal in 2002, and transitioned to a more professional blog in 2006.  That blog soon started to present itself as something that needed more time than I could devote as just a side project, so in 2007 I took a year out from my job (as Head of English in a secondary school) to try the blog business full time, and I’ve yet to go back.

Describe your blog

I write a very niche blog in the crafting world, with a focus on scrapbooking.  My blog itself includes a range of articles to cover new craft products, how-to videos and discussions on the merits of documenting everyday life through photos and writing.  I also offer premium content in the form of online workshops through paid subscription.

How did you get started?

I got into scrapbooking as a hobby while at university, and not long later picked up some freelance work for specialist magazines, which was always just a bit if work now and then, but it grew year on year and gave me the opportunity to lead workshops at weekend retreats for crafty women.  I found that keeping a personal blog, mostly read by close friends, made me want to update my website often but it was such a hassle in the format of a traditional site, so I added a blog format to make it easier to share finished projects, really.  As soon as I added that element, I got requests to teach my workshops in more places than were viable and I felt horrible that I kept having to say I couldn’t make it to every town requested, which made teaching online a logical next step.

Highest point?

Going full time in 2007, then being able to be the household earner from 2010, allowing us take on some seriously big travel then letting my husband work on a project that wouldn’t have a regular income.

Lowest Point?

Although my posts are less about the details of my own life than many female bloggers, it is very personal in that I blog things I have made for myself.  Because of that, it is often hard to separate criticism and I have had a few times when I took something so personally that I felt I couldn’t continue.  I’m thankful I’ve not lost my love of craft along the way, as it is very common for people in creative industries to stop enjoying it when they transition from fun to work.

Favourite blog?

I really don’t have a single favourite, and maybe that is odd.  I love to discover a new blog then read it all up, like when you can’t go to sleep because you’ve just started a really fabulous novel.  But because I like to read that way, I often get a little overkill and I don’t go back for a few weeks.  I like to save up the posts and have a bit more depth to read at once so it feels like an extended conversation with the blogger.  I also find these days I read more via links passed around on social media than just from my personal favourites, and I love how that has introduced me to new content in fields I probably wouldn’t have found on my own.  One day I followed a single link from a friend of a friend and ended up reading case studies in an entirely different field that inspired a pitch that became a big part of the work I do now – and it was all because I read a really rambling blog post by a friend of a friend of a friend.  

Inspiration?

I work with a mix of regular features that repeat on certain days, topics assigned by companies I work with and things that I just get the urge to try or share in some way.  That balance works really well for me – it gives me half routine, half flexibility.  If I rely entirely on being spontaneous, I never get anything done and if I rely entirely on routine, it feels too monotonous to be worthwhile.  I like that I approach things in a slightly different way to a lot of bloggers in my niche.  Many are very much about the visual because it’s craft, but I love the written word.  I love the discussion that comes with a community of readers.  So I am often inspired by how on one hand, this topic is quite literally just glue and pretty paper but on the other, there is quite a lot of philosophical goodness to be found, if one wants to consider it.

Top tips for other bloggers

Let the passion come first and the profit come later.  Whenever I work with or meet groups of beginner bloggers, there are always so many who have decided they know they want to make a living blogging but they don’t know what they want to blog about yet.  That sounds like such a recipe for burn out to me.  If you’re only picking a certain topic to make money, how much can you really say about that topic?  And at this point in the game, there is a blog on every topic out there, and the most profitable topics have a flooded market anyway.  What makes this my perfect job is how I get to think and write and share about something I love doing even when I’m not paid for it, and it’s something I would frankly love to write about even if I was pondering whether to pay for craft supplies or food.  Whatever your passion is, then that is the topic for you.  I think that’s why fashion bloggers have such intriguing blogs: they loved putting together outfits and showing them to the world way before they started blogging about it.  By blogging they just have a new, highly filtered and specific audience.  So my biggest tip is always go into blogging for the passion.  And also: punctuation is your friend.

Do you make a living blogging?

Yes! It’s my full time job and I’m currently the sole earner in our household.

How do you make a living blogging?

Unlike most blogs in my niche, I don’t sell traditional sidebar or banner advertising.  I’m not entirely advert-free in that I do earn from affiliate links when I recommend my favourite products.  My main earning comes from teaching online workshops (with a subscription fee) and I also earn by contributing content to a few related sites (stores and manufacturers of craft products), which I also post on my blog.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

Several years ago a real-life friend who is also a blogger and I discussed how there was a gender divide in the blog world and men’s blogs seemed to be in love with technology and so future-oriented, while women’s blogs were filled with dress making and baking and home decor, like a post-war housewife equipped with the latest gadgets from the Apple store.  There is certainly still a bit of that about but I think there is far better representation now.  There are definitely women writing in technology, in games, in comics, in music criticism.  There are more women writing in those fields than there are men writing in my incredibly female niche.  Much like girlfriends in real life, the female blogging world benefits when women work together and it suffers when we cut each other down.  Both things happen.  But of all the things I’ve come to appreciate in all these years of blogging, there really is an audience that accepts intelligent female voices.  As both a student and a teacher I witnessed years of smart girls being teased, tormented or ignored in that entire ‘clever isn’t cool’ attitude that goes on.  On the internet, clever is ridiculously cool.  The blogs I read time and time again? I don’t care what subject they are on: I can tell from their writing that those are smart girls. Of all the comments I’ve received over the years, those who say they read my blog or take my classes because I make them think… those are my absolute favourite.  If the internet can make it fabulous to be confident in one’s intelligence, it makes me very excited for the next generation of smart girls. Name : Simone Antoniazzi Blog : The Bottom of the Ironing Basket  http://thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.co.uk

How long have you been blogging for?

rs

Describe your blog :

My blog is a mixture of things that inspire me, lifestyle and style images, my own thoughts on life, travel, style, London and family. It’s a collection of anything & everything that I love and find interesting.

How did you get started?

I was inspired by an American friend who had started her own blog.

Highest point?

Probably right now, my readership is at its highest. Through my blog I have been invited to London Fashion Week, to go to Morocco and I am just starting work with a personal trainer! Discovering ability that I didn’t know I had and finding out more about myself.

Lowest Point?

I’ve don’t have one.

Favourite blog? A Cup of Jo http://joannagoddard.blogspot.co.uk/

Inspiration?

Magazines, other blogs, travel, life in general.

Top tips for other bloggers : Blog about what you really genuinely love and find interesting, that way you will develop a style and your “voice” will really come through. Don’t feel you have to be confined to one topic, I blog about whatever appeals to me and is going on with me right now. Being yourself and honesty is the key to longevity.

Do you make a living blogging?

I earn money from it, not enough to give up the day job yet though!

How do you make a living blogging?

I carry advertising and advertorials on my blog.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

Creativity, style, focus. Also, I’ve never had a negative comment on my blog in 3 years, I think readers and other bloggers are supportive and empathetic.

Name: Camilla Tillson Blog: asensibleheart.blogspot.com

How long have you been blogging for?

For about 2 years now

Describe your blog?

Its definitely fashion based with lashings of baking and d.i.y projects and my own photography.

How did you get started?

I saw a really lovely blog online which inspired me to start my own, its so great because that’s exactly what they are there for!

Highest point?

The first time I was featured on a bloggers social networking site as one of their top fashion blogs, its great when your blog gets noticed! and going to Bristol Fashion week for free with my blog! Its really nice to do something active for your blog and meet other bloggers similar to you.

Lowest Point?

I’m not sure if I have had one yet, my blog is all on my own terms, so if I don’t fancy blogging I wont force it.

Favourite blog?

I have to say one of the first blogs I ever read unabellavitablog.com and ‘a beautiful mess’ everything on there is so inspiring!

Inspiration?

A lot of things, the people around me, the the city I live in and I’m inspired every day by my blog feed!

Top tips for other bloggers?

Your blog is your own space, do you own thing and let it develop in its own time. Don’t ruin the space with ads before you have enough traffic, enjoy it while you can. Its not all about stats and followers, mine started off as a online live journal and if people are interested in reading what I post that’s great!

Do you make a living blogging?

Not currently, I wouldn’t ever say no to sponsored posts if I felt it could benefit my blog and my readers. I know its a touchy subject for people, but why not earn a little off doing something you enjoy, as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons.

How do you make a living blogging?

Id probably say via advertising and sponsored posts, and I guess you can save money

if you’re sent clothes and other bits. I’m not too hot on this topic! What do women add to the blogosphere?

So much! It’s great to see woman who have started their own business via their blog. I also think there are a lot of fashionable bloggers who are also tech whizzes, it really changes your views on the graphic/web design world which many people would be male dominated,  there are so many woman bloggers who post about nail art and HTML codes, for example “Girl Does Geek” (http://girldoesgeek.com) and “Flower Girl Blog”

Name Becca Day-Preston Blog www.bdpworld.blogspot.com BDP World

How long have you been blogging for? Only since October: I’m a baby!

Describe your blog

It’s a place for me to put all my thoughts about makeup and fashion and nails, without boring my friends. I was shaky at first, not discussing ‘important’ stuff, and just putting up pics of my nails, but recently I’ve written about confidence, airbrushing, period shame (that’s a thing, apparently) and abstinence education in the UK, as well as keeping up the nails and lipstick posts.

How did you get started?

With bad quality pictures and a lack of serious know-how…!

Highest point?

Sali Hughes from The Guardian endorsing my angry rant about National No Makeup Day

Lowest Point?

Getting an email from a follower asking why I don’t “just lose a bit of weight” UGH!

Favourite blog? Feministing

Inspiration? Veronica Sawyer

Top tips for other bloggers.

Do what you love! Don’t chase followers or try to score freebies: just have fun with it.

Do you make a living blogging?

No, and I think I never will!

What do women add to the blogosphere?

 That’s actually a really hard question to answer. I feel like there’s a sense of community innate in women’s blogging that isn’t necessarily there with male bloggers. There’s a more inclusive feel, and a drive towards honesty that I find very refreshing. As a feminist, the amount of incredibly erudite and witty women out there, contributing to the bigger picture. I don’t feel like I’m even a part of that yet, but maybe one day…!

Name Emma Iannarilli Blog fashion-mommy.com

How long have you been blogging for?

Since August 2010

Describe your blog

A fashion/shopping/beauty/lifestyle blog from a full time mom

How did you get started?

I was Deputy head at a Primary school when severe post natel depression forced me to quit my job. After six months in counselling I felt better, but was bored just being a wife and mother. I read an article in a magazine about blogging and decided this could give me a creative outlet. Hence Fashion-Mommy was born!

Highest point?

So many. Meeting heroes like Markus Lupfer and Stella McCartney. Being named on of 2012’s hottest blogs by Spreading Jam. Being named as Blogger of the month for Next, blogger of the week for M&Co and publisher of the month for Boden. Being invited to Evans photoshot  for their Autumn/Winter 2011 catalogue – just so many!

Lowest Point?

I tend to blog at night so I get very little sleep. Juggling the blog as a full-time job, with a demanding child not yet in school can be exhausting,

Favourite blog?

Big Fashionista is hilarious, and I love all the Brummie  Bloggers.

Inspiration?

Liberty London Girl, she was the first blogger I really noticed.

Top tips for other bloggers

Work at building  your audience,  use Twitter and facebook to aid this, reply to comments to engage debate and discussion. Be original  – let your personality shine through your work.

Do you make a living blogging?

I’ve just  started too –  it’s take a year and half to get to this point.

How do you make a living blogging?

Adverts, sponsored posts,  text links, skimlinks  and affiliate links – but it’s not a fortune!

What do women add to the blogosphere?

The female perspective on all subjects – we have a voice, it needs to be heard.

Name Anne-Marie – Ree for short Blog  http://www.reallyree.com/ 

How long have you been blogging for?

It will be 2 years in June.

Describe your blog

A personal lifestyle blog about the things I love across fashion and beauty. Face of the day, Outfit of the Day and lots of Product Review fun!

How did you get started?

I started it as a hobby – and wrote a lengthy post about the differences of opinion between men and women on the subject of shoes! Highest point? Working with BaByliss to make How To hair tutorials.

Lowest Point?

There are always low days when it is hard to stay motivated but they never last.

Favourite blog?

I love BritishBeautyBlogger.com to make sure I am up to date with all things beauty, and have a giggle!

Inspiration?

Everything I see and try inspires me. I have started to actually think in blog posts!

Top tips for other bloggers

Stay connected, build your network and always talk to people.

Do you make a living blogging? Yes

How do you make a living blogging?

By working with brands on a project basis.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

I think that women add fun and beauty and glamour to blogging. Blogging should be fun and engaging and there are tonnes of female personalties shining through!

Name: Aisling Blog: fash-ling  http://www.fash-ling.com

How long have you been blogging for?

A year

Describe your blog: It’s mainly my style, what I wear and what influences my fashion choices but I also include some beauty bits

How did you get started?

I read a lot of the international blogs for years and when a friend started hers I was introduced to the UK blogging scene

Highest point?

Pretty much any time someone new decides to follow me!

Lowest Point? Well trying to deal with HTML, I am useless and I find it so frustrating!

Favourite blog? Frassy

Inspiration? The catwalks, magazines, girls on the street and other blogs of course! Top tips for other bloggers: Just keep doing what you love, that’s all that matters

Do you make a living blogging? No, I do occasionally get sent items or invited to events which is truly an honour

How do you make a living blogging? n/a

What do women add to the blogosphere? I think each person, whether female or male adds a unique aspect to the blogosphere. The great thing about the online world is you can get such varied opinions, in anything you choose to find! Everyone has something to bring to the table and blogs allow for you to add your own personal touch.

Name – Lenka Silhanova Blog – Acting Abroad –  http://lenkasilhanova.blogspot.com

How long have you been blogging for?

Over a year.

Describe your blog

I’m sharing my experience of becoming an actress abroad, sharing tips and creating a community of people with the same goal. I think it’s important for us actors to stick together and help each other out, as I’ve learned a lot myself by reading other people’s blogs. This is a way for me to give back as well as to meet like-minded people and keep myself motivated and goal-oriented.

How did you get started?

I’ve been playing with the idea of starting a public blog for quite a while, since I’ve been keeping a private journal for several years, yet I was intimidated by the whole concept of opening my life and career out there in the world. The first few months were the worst as I was still figuring the whole blogging thing out and writing in English, my second language, wasn’t easy too. But I love the language so much it pushes me to constantly work on improving it. I found that I’ve learned so much by just by sitting down and writing, but also by reading A LOT of blogs, websites (that are edited) and of course books. After few months I’ve really gotten into blogging and I find it now, after a year of blogging, very fulfilling. I also find it to be a great marketing tool, till I’m ready to have my own website, this is a way to showcast my work both as an actor and blogger. Last but not least reason to blog is that it’s a form of storytelling, which is what I’ve chosen to dedicate my life to and this is a way of having it in my life without other people’s permission. It’s taking a part of my career I have the control of in my own hands and being proactive.

Favourite blog?

That’s a tough question, there are so many great blogs I don’t even know where to start. I love the Actors Voice by Bonnie Gillespie, this blog has taught me everything I needed to know about the show business. The Acting Blog by Mark Westbrook is a great no-BS blog on acting. I also love blogs like The Green Room blog, Backstage Unscripted, The Actors Enterprise, all written by actors for actors. A Younger Theatre is a great platform led by young people passionate about theatre, I learned a lot about UK’s theatre scene through this website and its blogs and I’m lucky enough to write for them too – my blog is called International View. Or actor blogs like Stars In The Eyes, The Great Acting Blog or B.A.B.E. to name just a few, are a great source of inspiration and advice too.

Inspiration?

Actors who get things done, who take their careers into their hands and always work on mastering their craft no matter the level their are on.

Top tips for other bloggers

I’d say just start blogging and learn as you go. Read a lot of blogs to learn about formatting and SEO. Choose the design for your blog so it resembles your personality and the theme of your blog, as well as is pleasant for people’s eyes and looks professional. Aim to improve, don’t settle for what you are doing now thinking it’s good enough. Always appreciate your readers and take the time to create relationships with them. You do it for them, after all, so be there for them. Find a targeted audience for your blog and write about what you know, don’t try to just come up with something, write what you care about and are passionate about with the targeted audience in mind. Put yourself in their skin and ask yourself if what you are writing is going to give them something.

Do you make a living blogging?

Not yet, but would love to as it would allow me to write more. Currently I’m looking into opportunities to do so.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

I think we are great in creating communities and friendships that perhaps begin online, but are taken on and maintained on personal level later on too.

Name Catherine Balavage Blog Frost Magazine

How long have you been blogging for?

Four years with Frost. Longer overall.

Describe your blog

Frost is a thinker’s lifestyle magazine, a magazine for smart people who love fun. I also have an acting blog.

How did you get started?

My love of reading lead to a love of writing

Highest point?

Frost launch party, being picked up by Handpicked Media, covering everything from London Fashion Week to the Raindance Film Festival. Interviewing Zac Goldsmith and Alain De Botton.

Lowest Point?

The hosting company suspending my account because we were getting too much traffic. I had to move the site from one server to another. I had no idea what I was doing. Also: someone hacked the site and I lost some content.

Favourite blog?

All of the above! And Hintmag and Feministing.

Inspiration?

Every writer who ever inspired me to write my own stuff. My parents who told me I could do anything I wanted.

Top tips for other bloggers

Do it because you love writing and have something to say. Don’t do it just because you could pick up lots of free stuff. Also, listen to your instincts.

Do you make a living blogging? No

How do you make a living blogging? Affiliates, advertising, not sure yet. I’m not there.

What do women add to the blogosphere? A balance.

Sneaky Wedding Costs You Need to Look Out For By Melissa Davis

Posted on by

Wedding First DanceAlthough your wedding day is supposed to be one of the best of your life, the large cost can often mar this otherwise happy occasion. In the early stages of planning a wedding, the smaller details often get forgotten and the cost can sneaks up on you, making the overall price of the wedding unexpected and often damaging. However, there are ways and means of reducing the overall cost of your wedding and making your special day affordable. Considering the hidden wedding costs you may incur is a positive start in ensuring your wedding remains within your personal budget.

Making a list and using online resources to research the smaller aspects, which you may not have initially considered, will show you where your money can go and how much of it can go there. This will allow you to then find cheaper alternatives to lighten the financial load further. For example, although brides often think of their wedding dress, they rarely remember that alterations often have to be made. Similarly, bridesmaids’ dress and the groom’s tuxedo may need amendments right before the big day. These minor adjustments may seem small, but will set you back money and add up to a considerable amount when added to the multitude of other wedding costs. To prevent costs such as these from sneaking up on you, simply research, estimate the price and factor this into your budget.

 

Keeping track of all the different costs involved in organising a wedding can be tricky, particularly when there are so many hidden expenses that can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

Creating a budget that includes all of the most commonly forgotten wedding costs can help you to avoid last minute problems and make big savings.

Start with a wedding budget

A thorough, realistic budget is the best tool for preventing forgotten, unexpected and unnecessary costs from sneaking up on you during your wedding planning.

Work out how much you can afford to spend in total, make a list of everything you need to sort then decide how you’ll divide your wedding budget.

Try to make your list as detailed as possible, and ensure that you set aside enough for each item. Recently married friends, wedding magazines and websites are all good sources of advice.

Suddenly realising that you forgot to budget separately for the bride’s shoes, veil or accessories after you’ve spent your money on an expensive dress is exactly the sort of stress you want to avoid as your big day approaches.

You should also look at prices or ask for quotes early on to ensure that the money you set aside for each cost is realistic.

Wedding costs everyone forgets

However carefully you plan your budget, there always seems to be something extra that needs to be organised and paid for before the big day arrives.

Here are some of the most frequently forgotten costs – make sure you remember to include them:

  1. Registration costs to make your marriage official.
  2. Stationary and postage costs for sending save the date cards, invitations and thank you cards.
  3. Accessories and alterations to suits and dresses for the wedding party.
  4. Including the bride and groom in the head count for the reception.
  5. Favours, thank you gifts and tips.
  6. Extra charges on your bill from venues and suppliers, including delivery fees, corkage, VAT, overtime and service or cleaning charges.
  7. Printing and framing photos, and buying wedding albums.

Deciding what to spend

Once you have a list of everything you need to pay for, you can start deciding how much you want to spend on each item. The way you do this should depend on your overall budget.

If money truly is no object, you can simply start arranging.

If, like most people, you have a set amount of money to spend on your wedding, perhaps from your savings or a parental contribution, you should start from this upper limit and divide it into portions for each of your expenses.

You can easily create a spreadsheet, or adapt a general expenses template, to monitor your spending. Keep track of any overspends, which you should try to make up for by spending less on other items, or underspends, which will give you more to spend elsewhere.

If you’re trying to keep costs to a minimum then prioritise your list into must-haves and maybes so that you can make sure you can afford the aspects that are most important to you before paying out for things that are ‘nice to have’ but not essential.

Avoiding unnecessary wedding extras

If you are working with a limited budget, it’s possible to make some cuts to the normal list of wedding necessities.

For example, if you can choose a venue where you can hold both the service and the reception, you might be able to get a better deal, and you can also cut down on transport costs.

Weddings held out of peak season or on any day other than a Saturday will usually be cheaper because there’s lower demand so this is worth investigating.

It can also be a good idea to look closer to home for your venues, since you can avoid high travel costs or needing to pay for overnight accommodation.

You might also be able to cut down costs by limiting the number of guests you invite – either in total or just to the wedding breakfast. Having a buffet and/or a pay-for-your-own-drinks bar can also help.

You can always give people the chance to celebrate with you at a distance with a live online broadcast of the event, no matter where the wedding takes place.

Another good way to cut down on your costs is to consider doing more of the work yourself or asking friends or family to gift their time as a wedding present.

Why pay for ready-made wedding favours when you can put together something more personal at half the cost? Why spend your wedding day in an anonymous hotel when you have a huge garden where you could put up a marquee and celebrate in a place that means something to you?

Minimising unexpected costs

To give yourself a little leeway make sure you set aside an amount to cover unexpected costs, ideally about 10% of your total budget.

If one of your suppliers lets you down, an unexpected guest turns up, something is broken or turns out to be unsuitable, or the weather forces you to change your plans, you need to have some emergency funds available to deal with it. Another option is to take out wedding insurance to cover some of your major expenses.

It might not be possible to avoid all unexpected costs, but at least you can be prepared for them, and if it turns out that you never need to use this money, it can give you something extra to spend on your honeymoon.

The wedding price hike

Another particularly sneaky cost that you might not expect when you set out your wedding budget is the sudden bump in prices that can occur as soon as you mention that you’re ordering for a wedding.

It doesn’t matter if you are ordering flowers, a cake, or transport, as soon as suppliers find out it’s for a wedding, they often assume you can easily be coerced into spending more to make your day perfect.

One of the best ways to avoid this sneaky extra cost is to tell some little white lies and order things for a “party” rather than a wedding.

It might not work if you want a traditional tiered wedding cake, but if you are looking for something less conventional, or ordering something non wedding specific, it could help you to get some lower prices.

Two-Thirds Of Brits Relying On Dream Cash Windfall To Clear Personal Debt

Posted on by

the compass of nowTwo-thirds of Britons are relying on a “dream” cash windfall to clear personal debt, new research shows.

One-in-three people believe they will land a major pay rise, win the lottery, make a fortune at the bookies, or inherit enough money to wipe the financial slate clean at some point in the future.

The majority freely admit that the likelihood of actually netting a large amount of cash unexpectedly is “improbable”.

But most continue to borrow or live beyond their means on the assumption that “the biggie”, when it comes in, will pay-off all outstanding loans, overdraft and credit card debt in one fell swoop.

Less than half of those in debt have sought professional advice about debt consolidation schemes or other repayment options, with the majority relying on non-qualified friends and family for guidance.

The poll of nearly 1,000 adults was conducted by the personal debt expert DDnard (corr), as part of an ongoing international study into borrowing behaviour.

DDnard, a Thai author whose self-help books on the subject have sold over 1.4million copies worldwide, describes those dreaming of a windfall as ‘flying ostriches’.

“It is clear that some borrowers either have their heads in the sand, or their heads in the clouds. Many do both,” she said.

“They either shy away from reality in the hope that it goes away, or they daydream about extraordinary ways in which it will be paid on their behalf.

“The sad fact is that, for most people at least, cash windfalls never materialise and those in debt must face the music and tackle the issue head-on. This is the only way to reduce personal debt and have a guaranteed debt-free future.”

Of the 921 adults questioned, 68 per cent said they were relying on an unexpected windfall. Of those, 19 per cent were hoping for a “major pay rise”, 13 per cent were counting on winning the lottery (13 per cent), and five percent were praying for a good streak at the races.

The majority were hoping for an inheritance (56 per cent), while seven per cent were reliant on the sale of their house of other valuable asset).

Less than a quarter (21 per cent) genuinely believed a windfall was probable, with 28 per cent and 51 per cent admitting it was either “possible” or “improbable” respectively.

Some 13 per cent said had not obtained professional advice because they were “unsure who to ask”, while the majority (48 per cent) seek financial advice from friends or family.

Only 39 per cent of those who were “struggling” with unsecured debt had sought professional advice from a bank or third party expert.

Food, school clothing, utility bills and other basic necessities accounted for 38 per cent of respondents’ debt.

But the remainder went into the red by purchasing “non-essentials” like expensive presents and home improvements, and by buying “extravagances” such as new cars and family holidays.

In total, 59 per cent admitted they could improve the way they handle money to avoid debt in the future. Almost the same number (41 per cent) said the cost of living is so high that personal debt is “all but unavoidable from time to time”.

The straw poll found that the overwhelming majority (56 per cent) of respondents blamed the ease at which they could obtain additional credit cards, transfer money to pay their balances, overdrafts and loans had contributed to the problem.

Others blamed the pressure of living in a “must-have” consumerist environment (16 per cent), the “buy now, worry later” mentality of peers or family (19 per cent), the desire to “live like a celebrity” (six per cent), and even the belief that buying things “made me happy” (three per cent).

Author and personal finance expert DDNard clawed her way back from a £2million debt following the unexpected death of her husband, a diamond magnate.

The self-help guru, whose new book The Compass of Now has just been released in the UK, said overcoming a mountain of debt isn’t easy, but that can be achieved by taking “one small step at a time”.

“This generally begins by accepting that you have a problem, or that one looks set to arise,” she said. “Once you are able to fully acknowledge a potentially problematic situation, you are better prepared to go about reversing it.

“The golden rule with debt, however small or large it might be, is not to bury your head in the sand and rely on a miracle – or a million-pound cash windfall. Seek expert advice and take matters into your own capable hands.”

The Compass of Now by DDnard (Life Compass Co., Ltd.) is available now.