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Feeling down in the dumps over festive finances may be one of the consequences of overspending this yuletide.

Such is the assertion of financial expert Jasmine Birtles, who says that Christmas should not be about misery brought on by households getting into debt to cover the costs of the holiday season.

Indeed, she says that she is pleased that people have been forced to take a check of their monetary situation, although a loan could cover the household expenditure of family festivities.

"All this spending has created misery. Not just after Christmas with the debt but at Christmas there is an empty feeling of disappointment and frustration," Ms Birtles says.

Furthermore, research from Lloyds TSB has revealed that 48 per cent of people feel that they cannot afford to be as generous this year as previously, although secured loans could pay for any expensive ventures this holiday.

Moreover, secured loans may have a lower annual percentage rate than other loans, which could be an attractive option for individuals looking at ways to fund that extra special present - such as a new car - or a winter holiday for the family.

Putting three months salary to one side may be a sensible option for individuals to take, according to one financial commentator, although taking out a loan could be another.

Indeed, people are thinking more seriously about their finances although half regret not giving the topic as much attention as they should of, according to Hetal Parmar, manager for savings at Alliance & Leicester.

Commenting on such findings, he says that if a household's car "breaks down or if there is a hole in the roof or whatever at least you have got something there to fall back on. I think more and more people are starting to think that way".

However, for individuals without the cash pot needed to cover such ventures, secured loans could be one way to pay for the expenditure.

Such a financial option may be even more attractive after Abbey discovered that disposable income has fallen by 29 per cent in the last two years.

But with disposable incomings reducing, people may want to research secured loans as a viable way to cover costs until their financial situation starts to improve.

Despite the credit crunch, consumers are still splashing out to make sure that this Christmas is one to remember for all the right reasons.

Such is the assertion of HSBC, which found that the average person will spend £479 this holiday season, an amount that could swiftly be dealt with by a loan.

Indeed, research reveals that people aged between 44 and 55 are going to be the biggest spenders, forking out an average of £579.

Commenting on the findings, Debbie Thomas, head of savings at the bank, says: "Everyone knows that Christmas is an expensive time but by tucking away the cash, albeit sometimes small amounts, it can really add up to make next Christmas much more manageable."

However, for households which have struggled with rising prices and may find it impossible to put aside a significant amount, secured loans could be one way to fund the festivities and any other expensive ventures that need to be covered this winter.

Meanwhile, consumers with a cash pot provided by a secured loan may want to follow the advice of Dr Owen Roberts, head of Callcredit Check, who advises individuals not to panic buy presents and to always shop around for a good deal.

People have yet to build up a substantial retirement cash pot which can comfortably fund their lifestyles when they leave the workforce, it has been said.

As such, people are living frugally now in order to make sure they have enough for later life, claims Hetal Parmar, manager for savings at Alliance & Leicester.

"We all look for a comfortable lifestyle in retirement and whether it is paying for a holiday, updating the car or covering the costs of healthcare or whatever it is," he says, although such ventures could be paid for with a loan.

Indeed, 58 per cent of people have told the bank that they are under no illusions that their retirement is going to be an extravagant time, Mr Parmar adds.

Research by the bank discovered that 35 per cent of people will make or have made sacrifices in order to build up their financial retirement coffers.

But for households which would rather not scrimp and save for years to come, secured loans could provide the cash to pay off any outstanding debts and may cover the future's ventures, such as a holiday or a car.

Households may want to look for other ways to fund their Christmas festivities after one sector organisation has warned consumers that bank charges for going overdrawn have shot up within the past year.

As such, the £25 charge as it stood in November 2007 has now increased to £30, claims MoneyExpert, meaning that Britons may now want to consider taking out a loan in order to pay for any winter ventures.

Indeed, the price of dipping into an overdraft is one present that people will not want to open on Christmas Day, Sean Gardner, director of the website claims.

"Across the board borrowing is increasingly expensive and those customers living in their overdraft need to be aware that in the majority of cases they'll pay a premium for this cash," he says.

Furthermore, Jim Hodgkins, managing director of CreditExpert.co.uk, states that families can still have a fun holiday season without splashing out on expensive gifts.

But for revellers unwilling to scrimp, secured loans could not only fund the expense of Christmas, but also may pay for any winter home improvements needed, such as extra insulation, a new boiler or renovations for 2009.

With Christmas the most attractive time for burglars to brave the freezing weather, one organisation has urged people to make sure that they have home insurance to protect their climbing contents value.

Indeed, as the presents start to pile up, would-be thieves may be tempted to see what expensive items they can get their hands on, warns Virgin Money.

Homeowners who have taken out a loan to cover the festive fun may also want to pay for a comprehensive home insurance policy, as well as extra security measures which could keep the burglars at bay.

And even though there is a credit crunch, Grant Bather, spokesperson at Virgin Money, says: "We'll still be spending and buying presents and entertaining and that means potentially thousands of pounds worth of extra goodies in homes over Christmas."

Furthermore, esure says that accidental damage cover is also important in case an unexpected incident occurs.

Whether spent on an insurance policy, Christmas gifts or on home improvements to boost security, secured loans could provide a much-needed cash injection for families this holiday season.

People approaching retirement may want to consider taking out a loan to maintain a comfortable lifestyle after research has revealed that nearly half of over-55s are concerned they will have to live frugally.

According to Birmingham Midshires, 21 per cent of over-55s questioned claim they will take on a part-time job to supplement their retirement income.

Furthermore, 33 per cent say that they will live on a minimum budget, although both unfavourable options could be replaced by a secured loan, which may boost the retirement coffers of a household.

Tim Hague, director of savings and investments at Birmingham Midshires, says: "When people should be winding down to their retirement and enjoying their financial nest egg, the over-55s are more concerned than ever about whether they can afford to live on what they have saved."

Indeed, Alliance & Leicester found that 42 per cent of the over-50s questioned claim that they plan to make sacrifices, or have already done so, in order to boost their retirement funding.

But secured loans could be one way to pay for any large ventures people in retirement may wish to take, be it a new car, a luxury cruise or much-needed home improvements.

People worried about whether now is the right time to take out a loan to pay for Christmas may be interested to hear the advice of one sector commentator.

According to Darryl Bowman, director of CreditExpert.co.uk, the holiday season is a time to have fun and people may not want to sacrifice that in order to stay in the black.

Indeed, he claims that if individuals do decide to go into debt, they should do so responsibly, while one option households may think is the most suitable for them to cover their costs could be secured loans.

"Don't over extend yourself and try your hardest to find the right product that is best for you and costs you as little money as possible," Mr Bowman advises, while people may be interested to know that secured loans could have a lower annual percentage repayment rate than other loans.

Such a cash injection may be needed after Abbey revealed that disposable income has dropped by 29 per cent within the last two years.

While secured loans may provide a Christmas cash pot, the lender may be given security in the form of a current property, should the borrower stall on repayments.

Energy providers should not be seen as enemies and may be able to help families who are struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills, it has been claimed.

Before taking out a loan to cover expenditures, people may be interested to hear that according to one sector commentator, there may be tariffs available for low-income households.

Maria Wardrobe, warm homes campaigner for National Energy Action(NEA), also claims that switching providers may result in cheaper gas and electricity bills for individuals, although if paying for energy is just the tip of the financial iceberg, secured loans may help to cover costs.

"I don't really think we are going to see any reductions in the price of energy until 2009 sadly, although we would be greatly appreciative if this were the case," she says.

Furthermore, research by the NEA found that the average annual gas bill is £817, while electricity stands at £471.

As such, as prices may continue to rise, secured loans could provide struggling households with a cash pot to cover costs until their financial situation begins to improve.

People may want to consider taking out a loan to pay for energy-efficient measures after it has been claimed that home heating bills can be reduced by some simple green actions.

Installing an energy-efficient boiler and lightbulbs, as well as insulating a property, can shave the pennies off rising household expenditure, says Jane Gatiss, PR manager for eaga and Warm Front, a governmental grant scheme.

Households which fit such lighting may find themselves pocketing an extra £10 a year per bulb, she claims.

"If you are eligible for the scheme you can benefit from things such as loft and cavity wall insulation, glass proofing and central heating systems," Ms Gatiss advises.

But for households who do not qualify for such a grant, secured loans could be one way to make green home improvements, which could end up in individuals saving money further down the line.

Such financial help may be required after National Energy Action revealed that between 2003 and 2007, electricity prices increased by about 60 per cent, while the cost of gas shot up by 90 per cent.