Ways you can avoid unexpected financial headaches

LIFE doesn't always go according to plan, and unforeseen expenses can hit anyone at any time.

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Of course, if you're rolling in money, shock payments aren't a problem. But as that's not the case for the majority of people, if the car or the washing machine breaks down, or you get a speeding fine, you have to find the money from somewhere. And that's when you need an emergency fund.

A new survey by the banking app thinkmoney has found the average Brit has to fork out for at least two shock bills a year, spending an average annual total of £776 on these charges.

The car breaking down (44%) was the most common unforeseen expense, with broken washing machines (37%) coming second and dental work (28%) third.

Needing an emergency plumber or electrician came next (26%), alongside boiler breakdowns (26%) and increasingly expensive vets' bills (25%). Other common financial hits were smashed phone screens (21%), parking fines (20%) and roof leaks (18%).

Nearly half (42%) of the 2,000 British adults polled dipped in to savings to meet unforeseen expenses, while 20% put it on a credit card, and one in 10 borrowed cash from friends and family.