Many UK consumers are doing everything they can to avoid slipping further into debt as the credit crunch bites down, according to Alliance and Leicester.
Research from the group found that over 50% of consumers have started cutting costs and looking for ways to save money in order to keep out of the red.
Amongst the most popular methods for saving money were switching gas and electricity suppliers, switching credit card providers and changing current accounts.
Emma Walkley from the Alliance and Leicester commented, "Often making simple changes like switching to a current account provider offering a better interest rate can make any belt-tightening feel a little bit easier."