The BBC's Hey Big Spender!, broadcast on Wednesday 28 January 2004, looked at why we seem to be more happy than ever to spend beyond our means.

Are you proud of keeping your finances under control, or do you think nothing of blowing as much as you can on your credit cards?

Do you have any top tips to help people claw their way back from excessive personal debt?

Are you a credit junkie - living beyond your means? Or are you a super saver horrified by the burden of debt?

We published some of your big spending experiences and personal tips.

Your comments:

It really annoys me when people who have borrowed money then blame the banks! If you get a credit card with a limit of �10,000 as I have, would you go and spend this straight away? I came to the UK from Russia several years ago not even knowing how to use an ATM, so how did I learn to manage my personal money, have savings, credit cards (paid off every month), a house, a pension and much more without any debt except the mortgage (on 3.59% interest). Simple - just use your brain and take responsibility
Julia, Woking, UK

Why get worried about debt? Interest rates are low and I'm in a pretty secure job so I do not think about the 10k credit card debts I have. I also change my credit cards to the 0% finance offers to reduce the interest burden. I'm soon to splash out on another holiday and a new sports car. I'm not worried about the debt - I'll pay it off one day I'm sure!
Vic James, UK

My son turned 18 on 14/01/04. Since then he has received three offers of credit cards! He is still in full-time education, and has no real income. I consider this form of sales pressure to be both irresponsible and immoral
Mrs. Chris Taylor, Poulton-le-Fylde

We have become a nation of blamers, blaming everything and everyone for our personal actions. Where is personal responsibility today? We should stop to blame culture and accept responsibility for our actions, instead of blaming others. What a wicked generation we are becoming. No longer adults but children, within a nanny state.
Alan Mountford, Southampton, England

You can get free advice Sarah, Scotland

You can get free advice. I've worked for a local authority money advice service for the last ten years. Most Scottish councils have a money advice service within either trading standards or social work departments. There is always the CAB as well. In our service we go into schools and the most common thing is that the kids do not know what the APR rate is. This has to be taught - it doesn't help that their parents don't know either.
Sarah, Scotland

Probably two of the most talked about and written about topics are money and diets. Yet all people have to do for both is: Eat less, exercise more, spend less, save more. There are no magic formulas, it really is this simple.
Mike Freeborough, Bristol

My top tip is: not only turn your own lives around but also the lives of your young children. Invest �30 a month into an Index Tracker fund (or more if you can afford it), either in their name or through an ISA in your name, and watch it grow over time so that they don't have the same problems that you are facing now.

Second top tip: don't spend so much on clothes, jewellery, new cars etc. It's waste, waste, waste! Buy quality consumer goods (the best you can afford) and look after them! There is good debt and bad debt. Use debt wisely to invest and make more money. Good debt is debt that someone else pays back, e.g. the rent on an investment property repays your mortgage. Don't let the bad debt take over.
Gareth Thomas, London, UK

"Never" borrow unless it saves you money! Mortgage OK, you have to live somewhere and houses tend to appreciate. New cars, bad news. They lose value rapidly - better to buy a three year old family car, since the latest survey says that new family cars depreciate fastest. Don't follow their suggestion of buy a BMW for low depreciation. Instead buy one on which someone else has already paid the depreciation. Self-image creates debt!
Tony, Ash, UK

A useful programme for those with access to traditional credit providers. But what about the people who are victims to legal loan sharking and prohibitive interest rates because of their socio-economic status? Even a credit card is cheaper than the rates the poorest in our society have to pay.
J, South Wales

Get new credit card for every 6 months are so, so that you get 0% interest on money spent and at the end of that term switch another card with 0% balance transfer! This way you can easily circulate �2000-3000 without paying any interests for years!
Hegde, Poole

Whenever you buy something you're not 100% sure about, think - 'can I resell this on eBay and get my money back?' If the answer's no, don't buy it!
Cerys Thomas, Nottingham, UK

Credit cards can be your friends! Beckie, Leeds, England

Credit cards can be your friends! I recently bought a new Kitchen and paid for it by credit card instead of the really expensive store credit option. I have been paying the kitchen off and paying 0%! Take advantage of the 0% offered by many cards as an incentive. If you are careful and are prepared to keep moving the debt about, you can get away with not paying any interest until the debt is cleared!
Beckie, Leeds, England

The massive personal debts in this country are a result of pure greed in a superficial, 'must-have' culture. If people always want bigger and better things to make them happy, then eventually they reach a financial limit. It doesn't matter how much money you start with. I find it so annoying that people shift the blame to credit card companies or claim it is related to 'poverty'.
S Smith, Bukingham, UK

If you are able to, join a credit union and start saving. Credit unions are financial co-operatives wholly owned and managed by their members. They exist to serve their members, and allow members to regain control of their finances. Loans are available at a maximum of 12.68% or 1% per month on the reducing balance of the loan and there are no hidden costs. Profits are returned to members in the form of a dividend, which can be as high as 8%. 118 million people worldwide belong to a credit union and there are about 700 in the UK. They are a simple concept that really works, and have helped millions to reduce their debt burden and regain self-esteem - not to mention develop a savings 'cushion'.
Sharon Angus-Crawshaw, Wrexham, North Wales

I had over �6500 owed on credit cards about 3 years ago when I decided something needed to be done. I found I was paying about �100 each month and spending only �30 on them, trouble was the interest was about �70, so net result was the debt just became static. I started moving the balance around making use of the 0% for 6 months offers you see and really taking control of my spending. The result has been I now have only �600 remaining and expect to clear that by April this year. Just need to worry about the mortgage next! Anyone offering 0% on those?
Phil Mudge, Cambridge UK

Don't ever start with not paying the credit card bill in full. The only credit that is fairly unavoidable should be the mortgage. Start saving �20 - �50 a month into a cash ISA. Monthly savings are great, they don't hurt (i.e. you calculate them in your budget) and after a while: presto! big savings!
Volker, High Wycombe, England

I think something needs to be done about the amount of advertising on TV for loan companies and credit cards. Its getting ridiculous and its easy to see how people can end up with more debt than they can afford.
Sarah, Northants

What really is annoying is that credit card companies who send you supposed accepted credit card application forms are still asking you to apply for credit which you may fail. By failing a credit check, which you thought was cleared, the credit system works against you as the more searches against your name is seen as you being desperate for money. In turn this means that it is more likely to mean that the cheaper cards are not offered but the more expensive cards are. My major tip is that check your credit status first.
Masaud Shah, Manchester

I find many of the comments on here quite irritating. Obviously these people have plenty of money and would have to be very reckless to experience hardship. Many people are in debt just to pay for their rent or education, and have no hope of running any car, old or new, or taking three holidays a year. A lot of people don't have any financial choices, they are impoverished now, and will be impoverished in retirement, no matter what they do.
Helen, Exeter, UK

Always use the timer on your central heating controls David Knight, Cardif

Always use the timer on your central heating controls. Don't have your heating set on constant. Don't heat your house while you are out at work. Time it to come on an hour before you get up, and an hour before you get home in the evening. Set your thermostat to 20 C. You'll save money!
David Knight, Cardiff

I don't owe anyone anything. My two houses are owned outright, as are both cars, and I pay off my card-bills in full every month. You just have to be an intelligent purchaser. Spend time doing research before buying - for example my last car was a cash purchase from a dealer in Belgium, which saved me �5000 over the UK dealer list-price: 18 months on I could still sell it here in the UK for as much as I paid for it - I've essentially had a year and a half's free driving. Also, don't take out 'extended warranties' on domestic appliances, central-heating etc - they are all rip-offs; you're much better off covering the risk yourself and using the money saved to pay off any other outstanding debts.
David Moran, Nr. Aberdeen, Scotland.

My biggest spending experience... Going to university! Six years after finishing and with a nurse's salary I'm still trying to pay off the debt incurred and can no longer have a spending spree on anything! In fact I can only live on credit cards because all my wages are trying to pay off the student debts because I cannot defer them any longer.
Helen, UK

Always ask yourself do you really NEED this purchase, think of all the other things you thought you needed and didn't.
If you can't afford to buy without credit then don't buy it (houses are an exception).
Don't be an early adopter, wait, the price usually comes down. Buying online can save you up to 20%, especially on electrical. Don't be afraid to haggle.
Servicing credit (excluding mortgages) means your working for the credit companies and don't earn enough to support the lifestyle you're leading.
Don't be complacent, check you're getting the best deal with savings, renewing insurance, buying services.
Check for overlaps between services, and that you're not paying for something twice.
If you do more than two holidays a year it's usually cheaper to buy annual travel insurance (shop around).
Dave Corbey, Byfleet, UK

I still have an outstanding loan of over �10,000 with a high street bank, lent to me by telephone. The clerk asked me what I was doing at the time and I explained I was not working and under medication for depression. The clerk explained how with this loan I could pay off my overdraft and other loans and still have something left over. That was four years ago. The debt is still there and growing with interest.
Ken, France

Our credit card serves two purposes only - 1. To use for everyday purchases - so that our money stays in our checking account 30 days longer than using a debit card (we pay it off each month -and there is no yearly fee) and 2. To earn reward points towards merchandise. The key is to make them work for you - not the other way around!
P Carey, N.Yorks, UK

If you don't understand debt, then don't use it. Everyone should have savings of around three months income so they don't have to rely on expensive borrowing. If you can borrow cheaply though, then take advantage of it - I still have a 10k student loan and at 3% I plan on paying off as little as possible.
Deven, Nagasaki, Japan

Second-hand books, eating in, cancelling subscriptions I never use have all saved me money Jo, London, UK

My tips: Before spending more than about 20 quid on an item, wait a week and see if you still want it. At the supermarket, use a basket not trolley - the ache in your arms will prevent you buying too much! Put a fixed amount of each pay check into a savings account each month via direct debit. If I had an extra room, I would get a lodger. Second-hand books, eating in, cancelling subscriptions I never use have all saved me money.
Jo, London, UK

I do not have any outstanding debt, but have a mortgage to pay off slowly. However, I am very aggressive when it comes to saving, as I tend to invest/save almost 60% of my monthly wage via direct debit. I also buy my groceries from market stalls, and rummage through second hand shops/antique markets for a good bargain. TOP TIP - only spend on what you really need - save the rest!
Andy, London, UK

Buy off of the Internet is my tip. The amount that I have saved on things such as DVD's is amazing. My biggest saving so far was �200 off of the High Street price for a Laptop. Oh, and Internet Banking is an excellent invention as well! Helps me keep track easily and quickly.
Ryan, UK

If you are a student I would suggest you the following: rent a small apartment preferably run by your university/college, never get a credit card, try to use cash as much as possible. Keep a record of your expenses in your diary and forget not to compare them to your previous months leisurely on a Sunday (while watching the FA cup). Cook your meal instead of expensive canteen and keep your fingers crossed and hope that your girlfriend does not spend it.
Karthik Paithankar, Leipzig, Germany

I have 16k of credit card debt, but could pay the money off tomorrow, yet choose not to why? Well I took out the debt from one company in the form of cheques which I wrote to myself. I whacked the 16k into a bank account where I get about 2.5% net interest, and then did a 0% balance transfer to another card. Where I pay no interest for six months. When the time is up I'll either switch it back, or pay it off. I get �400 a year FOR FREE. Who says credit cards are a mugs game? It's the easiest �400 I've ever made.
Paul, London UK

A really effective way is to decide that you don't care what the latest fashions are. That way, you will only buy clothes if they are practical. As a result of taking this approach, I hardly ever buy clothes, meaning that I have saved thousands of pounds over my lifetime.
Graeme Phillips, Berlin, Germany (normally UK)

Don't save, the government taxes anything you might make. Don't invest, the stock market will eat it all up. Rack up the debt, mortgage yourself to the hilt, be poor and work the system. When government spending driven inflation returns in a year or two the debts will just melt away. This government will destroy the value of all our investments if they don't change their ways. Until "the system" rewards savers and penalises borrowers there is no point in thinking about the future and trying to provide for yourself and your family.
John R Smith, UK

I receive endless letters from the bank offering me a credit card which apparently will make me happy. Well, I don't have one, I don't need one and I don't want one, and if I need something i can't afford, I save for it. The anticipation whilst saving and the feeling that I have really earned that little treat are great.
Mary J, London, UK

1) I set up direct debits/standing orders to pay my bills monthly so that I can budget and keep on top of my outgoings.
2) I currently pay my mortgage weekly on standing order thus saving me money since the interest rate is calculated daily. When the interest rates came down I kept paying the same amount on my mortgage so that I would be over paying and reducing the amount of mortgage quicker.
Jacqueline Morris, Warrington, Cheshire

Despite having the cash in the bank I purchased my car on a credit card at the end of the month when the showroom wanted to meet its sales targets. I got loads of air miles from the credit card and balanced transferred the loan to several interest free cards while earning interest on the cash in the bank. I am making money out of my loan.
Anonymous, UK

My wish for education is that schools teach kids to understand just what the small print on credit cards contract means Anna, Peterborough

Today's youth will have to pay dearly for their education, their housing, their pensions and support the aging population through their taxes, so the last thing they need is more debt. My wish for education is that schools teach kids to understand just what the small print on credit cards contract means, and that there are ways of avoiding debt. I would also like to see the government crack down on consumer rip-offs, such as extended warranties on goods that could easily be built to last. If man can be put on the moon, then why can't a washing machine last longer than seven years? My advice would be to walk to the shops. That way, shopping becomes a chore - something that gives you backache and blisters is not a hobby!
Anna, Peterborough

Rack up the debt. Enjoy your life for crying out loud. So many people on this board have sacrificed living for the smugness of having paid off their debts. Debt is there to allow you to afford things you want now but cannot presently afford. Why not use it?
Ross, UK

I presume Ross is expecting the rest of us to bail him out when he is declared bankrupt, and retires with no pension - or is he relying on a miracle?
Perhaps he has a house that is rising in value, but this may or may not continue.
The best advice is to enjoy yourself to a certain extent, but do not rack up never ending debts which you will never be able to repay, let alone service.
Ed, Hertfordshire, UK

My wife and I have been savers rather than spenders all our working lives. At the age of 37 we paid off the mortgage and this allowed me to take a job working flexi-time at half the salary (14k). My wife has also given up work to look after our son who will be born in March. Time off is more important than salary. Many salaries are used to pay debts anyway. We never scrimp and had three UK holidays last year. We save up and buy when we can afford it and have savings and pensions on the go. It all comes down to choice really. New three-piece or keep the one you have for a few more years? New car or keep the one you have for a few more years? It's your choice
George Smith, Tyne & Wear, UK

I have two current accounts. I pay my salary into one and all my direct debits and standing orders go out from that. Into the other, I pay a monthly allowance. I only write cheques, draw cash and use a debit card from the second account. That way, there is always enough money to pay my standing orders and direct debits and I always know exactly how much I have left until pay day!
Jenny, Manchester

I have a mortgage but no outstanding credit card debt. My mortgage will be paid off within 10 years off starting. It is a question of priorities, if you want an impoverished old age then carry on spending. I am sacrificing now to ensure that I will be comfortable when I am older. I save up for something that I want and then buy it. I also pay all utility bills by direct debits and shop around for them on the web. I make my money work for me and not the other way around.
Kista, Oxford, UK

I hand over all my money to my wife, who has the amazing knack of turning a pittance into a gold mine. Having gone from studio flat to 4 bedroom detached in S.E London within 5 years I still had enough in my "kitty" to achieve my lifetime ambition this Christmas - U.S.A Fender Telecaster guitar at a grand!
Tony, UK

People just have to realise this term 'credit' is just a re-branding of debt. So we have debt-cards, six-months interest-free debt, etc.
Robert Willoughby, London

Liberate yourself and cut the card in half Dick Toulson, Dumfries, Scotland

I had a credit card when in my teens, (now in my 40's). All was fine until I missed one payment, and hey presto, I was caught. I cut it up and had a torrid few months, but in the long term, it was the best thing I could have done. Bite the bullet, liberate yourself and cut the card in half. You know it makes sense!
Dick Toulson, Dumfries, Scotland

It's quite simple, if you can't afford it you can't have it. Our parents' generation didn't mind saving up for things for things. It's sad that now people think they can have everything straight away, with interest free credit/nothing to pay until next year etc. Also, I think people are often too lazy or set in their ways to shop around and try to get bargains, there are some out there.
C, UK

My wife and I returned to live in the UK 2 years ago. We have one credit card each which we pay off as we use them. How can anyone have more than one credit card when the amount available on one card is usually higher than the maximum a person can afford to pay back? We have been able to buy a flat in Surrey when everyone moans about having no money. Simple, we had 2 jobs each and didn't get into debt. What really annoys me is that the average Brit blames the banks for 'getting them into trouble'. Your debt is your choice!
Arthur, Surrey UK

When I recently changed jobs, my pay rise didn't go on a bigger mortgage. Instead we kept the mortgage the same (despite having to downsize through moving to a more expensive area), and halved the time by increasing payments. So my salary increase has gone onto debt reduction, instead of "keeping up with the Joneses". My wife's income is now only going towards savings, so that the number of years on the mortgage is going to be halved again.
In that way we've reduced a 20 year mortgage to 5 years, despite moving to a much more expensive area. We've also not had to reduce our standard of living, because what we have to live on is still the same. Just image what a relief it will be to be debt free, and have an extra �1100 a month (mortgage + one part-time salary) in your pocket. And just think how much less the interest is we'll pay as well. All this for a short term sacrifice of immediate gains.
Robbie, UK

At the age of 33, I do not have any debt and I paid off my 25 year mortgage after 7 years in 2002.In fact I have not had to pay any credit card interest since 1999 and not had to pay any other type of interest for two years now. So at least I know that every penny that I earn does not directly finance the banking sector.
Some people say I am lucky but I disagree. It is about being in control of your income rather than letting your money take control of you. I can still buy the things I want and still have money left over at the end of the month.So for the debtors, you only have yourself to blame if you can not keep control of your spending.
C Beaven, Stevenage, UK

We spent a lot of money on a digital camcorder from a well-known retailer this weekend and the salesman was really friendly and helpful. I even shook his hand in thanks afterwards. Then we got home to discover that half the parts and all the software was missing and not even in stock. When querying this we were told that we'd have to fork out even more for this 'all-inclusive' deal! My tip: never shake hands with salesmen - they're all out to take you for a ride, never mind how friendly they are.
Jason Miles, Reading, UK

Life is a lot more fun when you're watching your debt mountain slowly going down Valerie, London, UK

Stop buying non-essential things. Clothes, shoes, music, books, make-up, costume jewellery - you've probably got enough at home already to last you a few years. Don't go out, have a few friends at home instead (ask them to bring one dish/drink each). Get your culture from the library - books and music for free, videos for a few pence. Walk to the shops, saving a few drops of petrol a day (it will add up). Sell things you don't really want - somebody out there has a need for them.
Don't buy processed foods, make your own cakes/biscuits and watch your children enjoy them. Make a point of seeking and doing "free" (or almost free) things - walking, reading, spring-cleaning your house, sorting out your garden. Life is a lot more fun when you're watching your debt mountain slowly going down and your quality of life go up.
Valerie, London, UK

The "pushing" of these 'credit cards' starts at an early age. Companies in the U.S. have been known to solicit on college campuses! Just what a teenager needs, debt mixed with an uncertain future.
Carma, Los Angeles

Easy way to not overspend and get into debt - simply get hold of your credit cards, cut them into small pieces and throw them away. That way you can only spend what you've got in your pocket, and you won't end in debt. I've never owned a credit card. I know exactly how much money I have to spend, and I haven't gone without.
Michelle, UK

My tip is don't tip! Above all, don't fill in the "gratuity" section of a credit card transaction - surely no more than a scam to put more money into the restaurant owner's bank account. I don't tip the shelf-stacker in a supermarket so why should I tip the waiter in a restaurant? Does anyone really look at their bill and believe "service charge not included"?
Albert, Edinburgh

We have one debt - the mortgage. Our credit card is paid off every month if there's anything on it at all. Basically it's easy. Look at how much you've got coming in, buy what you need. If there's not enough to buy what you need, revise what you need until there is. If there's any money left then save it or treat yourself. This is done on average wages with an average mortgage and three children. It's not easy. We'd like more new clothes, foreign holidays and treats but we can't afford them so don't have them.
John Kelly, Cardiff, Wales

I have no credit cards, no debit cards, no overdraft, just a plain old simple cash card and cheque book. I earn around �13k, not much I know, but have around �11k in savings because I don't do debt, why pay twice for something you want, save for it and just pay once at the cheapest possible price. You should see how much car dealers will knock off if they know you'll pay everything up front with a bankers draft.
Rob, Bedford

Learn how to shop smart - if you see something you want ask yourself if you can live without it Louisa Guest, Bradford, UK

Learn how to shop smart - if you see something you want ask yourself if you can live without it. If the answer's yes then don't buy it, or shop around for a similar item that's cheaper. There's a lot of choice out there if you look around. Also be aware of the price of comparable items in different supermarkets and take advantage of offers if they are on something you would normally buy. I think finding other things to occupy your mind and time can be much more fulfilling than shopping and you will also feel that you have spent your time better than trawling round the shops.
Louisa Guest, Bradford, UK

I am glad to say I only have a Debit Card. I will not allow myself to have a Credit Card as I really couldn't trust myself not to splash out on expensive impulsive buys that I really don't need. If I want something expensive I simply have to save up for it. It can be a little frustrating but I've become an incredibly patient person, which is something money can't buy!
Samantha, Dorset, UK

We do have trouble staying on budget and we typically end up using the yearly bonus to pay off the credit card debt. Time to sit down and work out a better budget I suppose.
Sarah, USA

I'm not too bad about spending, except when it comes to buying things for my daughter. I can always justify the purchase. Like today, I bought 120 dollars worth of new clothes for next fall because the store was going out of business and everything was 50-70% off. I cannot resist a bargain. I saved 120 dollars off the original price of the items I bought. However, I know I didn't really NEED to buy these things. I only have one child and won't be having any more. I do tend to spend alot of money on her even though I know I shouldn't. We have considerable debt and my husband is very patient with me but still, I know it stresses him.
Sherry Beth, USA

Using credit to buy anything that isn't essential is a mug's game John B, UK

Using credit to buy anything that isn't essential is a mug's game. You buy something that devalues while paying interest on the price. In other words you pay more and get less. Whoever sold that to the masses was a genius. I've been using a credit card for 14 years now and the only time I ever paid interest was when I forgot to pay - the interest was charged on the couple of days my payment was overdue.
John B, UK

The issue isn't having the plastic; it's what you can get for it. If you always pay the bill, make it money back, if you have debts, transfer to cards with NINE months of interest free and not six then make yourself cut up the others. After paying off, build up an emergency amount in an ISA and if you really want something you can just use your "old" money for it, not credit.
Flynn, England

I have five cards and just reduced my debt to under �1000, half on a single card and it's slowly going down. It was my choice to get into the debt and now I can see it's holding me back, I'm paying off the smallest first and cutting up three of the cards when cleared. I'm only keeping the ones where I can pay the bills directly on the net for the convenience.
N.C.S., Middx

Spending on credit is spending money you haven't earned yet, it's as simple as that. If you want a big ticket item, save up for it! (But perhaps by the time you've done that, you'll have thought of a better way to spend the money).
Darren, Manchester, UK

All financial institutions have been encouraging people to borrow excessive amounts to stimulate their profits. Britain has become and country of individuals hardly being able to recognise the difference between buying with a debit card and paying with a credit card, then finding themselves knee deep in debt from "no fault of their own".
Ben, London

Once or twice a year, I will rack up a large amount of credit card debt and devote the rest of the year to paying it off in large sums. I do have one tip: Consolidate all of your credit cards to one 0% interest card and aggressively pay it off before the 0% introductory period lapses. Then, just continue moving any remaining debt to another 0% card until its all paid off.
Sam, Washington D.C., US