Property is becoming increasingly unaffordable for prospective first-time buyers in rural areas, it has been indicated.

According to figures released by the Commission for Rural Communities for the National Housing Federation (NHF), the average price for a home in the country stood at some 240,222 pounds during 2006. Meanwhile, the typical cost of property in an urban area was 196,700.

An increasing number of graduates are unable to afford to take the first steps on the property ladder, new figures report.

In research carried out by Scottish Widows, some 56 per cent of those who have finished higher education are yet to buy their first property - an increase of three per cent from the same study carried out last year. Meanwhile, an estimated one in four people who graduated ten years ago are reported to not be on the housing ladder.

Some six per cent of Britons do not know how much debt their personal loans, credit card debts and other forms of borrowing adds up to, according to the latest research from Unbiased, suggesting more than 2.5 million British consumers cannot quantify their total debt figure.

Research from the website - designed to emphasise the benefits of independent financial advice for consumers across the country - has reflected that young people aged between 18 and 24 years old may be the worst group when it comes to determining their indebtedness, with 41 per cent unaware of what their total debt figure is to within 500 pounds.

Britons could be placing increased financial pressure on themselves in an attempt to keep up with the Joneses, it has been reported.

In research carried out by CreditExpert, about one in five people (19 per cent) admit to overspending due to peer pressure. And by attempting to show off to family and friends through purchasing luxurious items such as designer clothes and flash cars, a total of 45 billion pounds is being spent just to keep up with the lifestyle of those around them.

Many debt problems are caused by poor decision making, with taking on more debt to pay back what debt you already have not always a wise move, according to the free and impartial debt advice organisation Debt Free Direct.

Derek Oakley, insolvency director at Debt Free Direct, said that while a number of people get into debt due to situations such as relationship breakdowns or being made redundant, certain consumers find themselves with debt problems due to a failure to assess what impact their continued use of personal loans or other forms of borrowing may have.

Consumers that are currently considering bad credit loans or have their money in a sub-prime mortgage may wish to look at their outgoings, following news that a number of the lenders in the sub-prime sector look set to raise interest rates on some of their products for borrowers with a bad credit history or credit problems.

According to a report from Reuters, market turbulence affecting costs, lenders and borrowers is set to lead to an increase in rates from lenders such as Northern Rock, Kensington and GMAC-RFC.

Despite further pressure on their personal finances, demand for new cars is rising among Britons, new figures reveal.

According to the Deals on Wheels report by the AA, interest in new registration vehicles has risen by 22 per cent during the past year in spite of five base rate rises by the Bank of England since August 2006. A third (33 per cent) of drivers are looking to buy a new automobile over the next 12 months, in comparison to the 26 per cent recorded in the same time last year.

With the launch of the new 57 number plates approaching, many UK consumers could be tempted to head to the country's car showrooms to buy themselves a new car, or look to make a bit of a saving by purchasing 07 plated models. However, according to moneysupermarket, if these consumers do not make the most of cheap car loans to finance their purchase, opting for forecourt finance or similar instead, they could find themselves paying a lot more than they bargained for.

An increasing number of homes are being repossessed, according to new figures.

In a study released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), the proportion of residential properties offered at auction was shown to have risen by 32 per cent over the second quarter of this year. With this rise being driven by growing levels of property repossessions, the financial services firm suggested evermore Britons could find themselves in arrears as their affordability conditions have "deteriorated".

Spending on cars is set to rise, the results of a new study have shown.

The latest findings from the Sainsbury's Bank Car Buying Index reveal that 7.85 million Britons aim to purchase an automobile between this month and February 2008 - a rise of some 200,000 noted on the previous six-month period. Meanwhile, an estimated 58.6 billion pounds is to be splashed out on vehicles.

The nation's financial confidence fell over the course of last month, new figures indicate.

According to the latest Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index, Briton's general optimism decreased by two points during August to 94. However, in spite of the fall, the most recent confidence figures are some 13 per cent higher than from the same time last year.