Nearly half of UK households say that they would struggle to cope if their monthly outgoings rose by £99. We look at how you can create some financial 'breathing space' to help you out if you lose your job or become ill.
Company execs' pay 'cooling off'

Executive earnings growth has slowed to a median of eight and-a-half per cent
Pay rises for company executives are showing signs of "cooling off" although a minority are continuing to receive substantial increases, according to a new report.
Earnings growth slowed in the past year to a median of 8.5%, lower than a similar study last October, research by Incomes Data Services (IDS) among chief executives in the FTSE-100 showed.
Bonus pay fell by 2% to around £670,000.
Steve Tatton of IDS said: "Remuneration committee members have now realised that their decisions will be scrutinised very closely by shareholders and the media.
"Shareholders are demanding to know what they are paying for. No longer, it appears, do remuneration committees and directors have a free hand, in the words of some, 'to pay themselves what they wish'.
"While the 'shareholder spring' has attracted a lot of attention recently, our analysis suggests that the pay packets for chief executives were already starting to reflect sentiment among shareholders and the wider public in the second half of 2011. There are definite signs of cooling off in executive pay awards."
related stories on msn
latest money videos
more on msn money

Avoid these mistakes if you want to lead a richer life!

Save regularly to nab a leading easy access ISA rate from Newcastle Building Society and the chance to earn up to £1,000 cashback.

Barclaycard is now offering a record 27 interest-free months to pay off your debts.

The taxman says three and a half million people are due a refund, but two million will have to fork out for underpaid tax.

Fed up with low savings rates and high borrowing rates? As Dave Fishwick and his Bank of Dave has demonstrated, there are other options out there.

If you want to find a unique property bargain, there is plenty of help available online - you just need to know where to look.

US couple have found an innovative solution to the problem of sky-high house prices.

The two banks have now joined the Post Office's banking network, meaning customers can make withdrawals and deposits at branches around the UK.

Get 5p off per litre of fuel at Shell, broadband from £2 a month and more in our latest discount and freebie round-up.

Lifestyling is supposed to mean that your pension pot becomes more secure the nearer you get to retirement. Yet your pension provider might be switching you to overpriced and therefore riskier investments.

If you want to borrow a larger sum of money and repay it over time, a conventional personal loan is not always your best option.



