`Debt, divorce and death` strain family finances

An article in the Guardian highlights how the financial costs of the `3Ds` - debt, divorce and death, can `put enormous strain on families`.

The article runs through several figures regarding the `3Ds`, highlighting how easy it is for families to find themselves in financial trouble if something major happens. For example:

• The average household debt (including credit cards and other unsecured debts - but not mortgage debt) has now reached £8,716. If the average was only based on households with some form of unsecured loan, this figure would rise to £18,159.
• In 2008, 136,026 divorces were granted.
• The average cost of a funeral in the UK is £2,800 (expected to reach £4,100 by 2015).

The paper then goes on to offer some advice about debt, and stresses that `prevention is key`.

`Budgeting is the tried and tested way of keeping on top of your outgoings,` the article continues, `but be realistic about how much you need for essential items, and cut down on non-essential expenses.`