The property website estimates that about three in 10 landlords are in fact “accidental”, originally taking on tenants because of difficulties selling their house in the tough economy.

Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove, said: “Overall supply of greater rental property coming on tap is good news for tenants as it is likely to lessen the pace of rental growth in 2013.”

“Many of those accidentally thrust into the landlord arena have not only survived but thrived in many instances.

“The growth in rental demand and appeal of the buy-to-let sector to lenders has helped turn a chance encounter with the rental market into a further and valuable source of fresh supply.”

At a time where older people are really feeling the pinch, more than half of those who took part in the survey said they were so concerned about their financial future that they had sat their children down to discuss potential eventualities.

Ali Crossley, Executive Director of McCarthy & Stone, said: “As experts predict that life expectancy will continue to increase, people cannot afford to bury their heads in the sand about the way they will manage financially in their retirement years. They need to discuss these issues with their family and put clear plans in place.

”Our research shows that although many older people worry about how they will cope in later life and do not want to become a burden to their children; a concerning proportion of them do nothing about it.

”There are many reasons why people of all ages may not make a will, ranging from concern about legal costs to apathy and a fundamental misunderstanding about what will happen if they die intestate without a will.”

It found that most of the money saved goes on essentials such as buggies, cots and car seats. It also provides a cushion for any earnings lost if the mother was working before falling pregnant.

Simon Healy from Aldermore Bank said: “It is a wise move to start thinking about saving before you start to plan a family but it’s not always possible.

”The cost of having a baby can be a shock to the system, particularly the first time around.

”Not only do you have to consider the expense of baby equipment such as buggies, cots and all the other paraphernalia but you need to consider earning less whilst on maternity or paternity leave and even childcare costs if you are planning on going back to work.

The report shows that 77% of childminders in wealthy areas were judged “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted last year compared with only 61% of childminders working in more deprived areas.

Under half (45%) of people earning less than £20,000 said that quality of childcare provider was important when choosing childcare providers compared with 60% of people earning over £40,000.

It found that the total debt burden for UK households rose by 10.3% between 2006-08 and 2008-10.

A spokesman for the StepChange debt charity, said: “That there has been an increase in the number of people considering their debts a burden should come as little surprise. People have seen their incomes stagnate in recent years, while the cost of living has continued to rise, placing the finances of many households under unbearable strain.

“The assets to liabilities ratio of the lowest-income households highlights the dangers that this group face in the current climate. Those on the lowest income will almost certainly be more at risk to changes in financial circumstances and vulnerable to debt”.

It found that mortgages made the biggest impact in debt burdens, closely followed by credit card debt, which was twice as high for self employed people.

Delroy Corinaldi, a spokesman for the charity, said: “The unsecured debt levels of the self-employed indicate that people are taking on significant debts in order to invest in their businesses. However, with lower income levels, servicing these debts is likely to become increasingly problematic and too often the debt burden can become too much to bear.”

The amount held in savings accounts also went up by 6.1% over the year, with inflows to cash Isas being particularly strong.

Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight said: “Unsecured consumer credit still remains very low compared to long-term norms, and the impression remains that consumer appetite for taking on new borrowing is limited while there is also an ongoing strong desire of many consumers to reduce their debt.

“Consumers’ desire and perceived need to deleverage is clearly the consequence of ongoing serious concerns over the current state of the economy and still heightened worries and uncertainties over the outlook.”

Chief executive from Shelter, Campbell Rob, said: “It’s shocking to think that so many families will be starting the new year with a huge weight hanging over them, trapped in a daily struggle to keep their home.”

UK adults were asked what they were using their credit cards for to purchase in January and the most common reply was grocery shopping at 42% with day-to-day purchases coming second at 35%.

Post Office head of credit cards, John Willcock, said: “While many people intend to manage their credit card purchases and repayments sensibly, there are still too many people who are not thinking of the consequences of their festive spending.”

The research showed that 21.4% of people in 2007 couldn’t afford to take a holiday. Four years later, this increased to 29.7% with the impact of the economic climate continuing to take effect on the ability to spend.

As a result, consumers throughout the UK may be in need of help to manage their finances and in particular, their debt, to prevent their finances from becoming unmanageable.

A Lloyds TSB Insurance study has revealed that parents have the potential to make a maximum of £735 by selling their offsprings’ unwanted possessions.

80% have sold old toys to try and breathe some life into their bank balance with 61% having sold clothes, 46% selling CDs and 34% selling gadgets.

Retrocycling has seen an increase in popularity, which is why this has become possible with items such as Nike Air Jordans and games, including Twister, having proved to be huge sellers.