The study found that over 11m British adults just about broke even and, worryingly, 4.9m said they spent more than their salary on a regular basis.
Roger Edwards, proposition director at Bright Grey, said: “There is no doubt that 2012 is going to be a tough year for consumers and the fact that a third of people currently have no money left at the end of the month is a worryingly fragile situation to be in.”
The study also found that the average Briton spent £1,315 a month, but only spent £30 on protection insurance products that could be vital to their finances in the future.
This compares to £56 on telephone bills and £232 on supermarket and other shopping.
Adults spent an average of £885 on holidays a year, £214 on big ticket electrical goods such as TVs, cameras and iPods over the same period, and £151 on white goods such as fridges and freezers.
Edwards added: “It is a false economy to believe that just spending on the here and now is going to keep Britons in good stead.
“By cutting back slightly on some of their outgoings, most adults should be able to find a small amount of money to help provide the “financial safety net” they may need in an emergency situation.
“For just a few pounds extra a month, consumers can safeguard their financial future by investing in a protection product that will provide for themselves and their family should they lose their job or their health, for example.”
