Tempting discounts in the post-Christmas sales could have a negative impact on the economic situation of individuals and the country itself, a survey suggests.
While the City’s sentiments about 2008 are less than hopeful, consumer confidence in the economy and their own financial situation is still fairly strong, a Guardian/ICM poll found.
The Guardian suggested that a sales purchasing "frenzy" with little regard to possible downturns in the country’s economy, especially in the sub-prime sector, could pose serious problems.
Some 55 per cent of respondents said they were confident about both the wider economy and their own finances, only four per cent fewer than in the more stable economic environment of August 2006, the newspaper said.
It hypothesised that the effect of the credit crunch and interest rates had not yet impacted upon incomes sufficiently for it to be taken seriously.
Director of Thomas Charles debt counselling service James Falla suggested that people struggling with paying off credit cards and other debts could find a individual voluntary agreement a good option.