Recent research indicates that those who focus on financial planning are more likely to have a healthier pension pot than those who take a more relaxed approach to saving.

The recent study found that Britons who focus their energy on financial planning instead of worrying about debt are saving an average of £104 every month, compared with those who spend a lot of time worrying about their finances saving half the amount.

A spokesperson for the firm who conducted the study commented: "As with most things, the more time and effort you put into something, the more you will get out of it.

"Unfortunately, when it comes to financial matters, I guess there are some people who don't see any way of escaping their current level of indebtedness and are struggling, so therefore don't even consider the benefits of saving for the future."

Research has also shown that households with a disciplined approach to saving for retirement tend to pass on their good financial habits to their kids.

Parents are actively being encouraged to set a good example to their kids by adopting as many good financial planning practices as possible.

Industry insiders are keen to promote a positive and pro-active approach to saving for retirement and many are now saying why not pass on those useful saving tactics to our kids?

According to Joanne Mallon (author of Toddlers: An Instruction Manual) the instinct to save is not inherently ingrained in children, so therefore it is the parents' responsibility to impart these skills.

Mallon commented: "It can be tough for children to get the concept of money and saving up for things, but it's one of the most important lessons we as parents need to teach them - particularly in our current cash-strapped times.

"Encouraging them to save hard for a big item that they want can really help them to value what they get."