The style to which I am already accustomed

Young women are living in a 'Sex and the City' type fantasy world where they indulge their search for a 'Mr Big' - arriving like a knight in shining armour - to sweep them away to a world of financial security.

Despite a third of young women having taken the steps to owning their own homes, many still spend hedonistically on clothing, shoes and beauty products in order to capture a mate, rather than setting up pension plans or regular savings accounts.

Christine O'Grady, senior retail media relations executive at Friends Provident, said: "The Sex and the City generation is playing a dangerous game, gambling with the future.

"Just 23 per cent of the single women asked have a pension and 20 per cent have life or health insurance, yet just over a quarter own more than 30 pairs of shoes. Women often have a more sporadic earning pattern than men and we urge them to take time to look at their finances and think about the future."

May 19^th 2008

• Small pleasures . . . large measures
• Nothing left by the time you die
• Direct debit not debt
• Four magic numbers
• Sometimes 'not knowing' is best
• Cash in hand is worth two cards in wallet
• Check before writing the cheque
• A direct line to your bank account
• Why your credit card interest could have risen
• Why retiring could make people more mobile
• Who you 'gonna' call?
• Why families are not supporting football
• How to save enough money to pay your home insurance
• Playing the credit card loans game
• Start saving for your baby daughter's career choices
• Because you're worth it
• Why Brits must have a break