It has often been noted in the broader press that although generally speaking there has been an increase in the overall level of wealth in Western economies over the last decade the reality is that the proportion of wealth that sits in the hands of the very few, very wealthy individuals has increased significantly whilst the average man on the street has not experienced such an uplift in their fortunes.  Indeed, were it not for the dramatic increase in house prices and as a consequence the ability of a typical family to subsidize their income by making mortgage equity withdrawals this fact would have become more widely know more quickly.

One area of lending that demonstrates this need to supplement spending by borrowing has been seen in the proliferation of the grey market in lending, the so called payday lenders and the use by many of the cash payday advance.  It is important, if this imbalance in the distribution of wealth is to be corrected that attitudes change and people no longer look to lenders to allow them to buy the latest gadget or new purchase now, but instead to resolve to wait until they have saved sufficient funds to do so.  If this is not fixed we do face an uncertain, and quite likely a bleak future as the folly of our ways returns to haunt us.