If you're looking around for a mortgage, a solution to your debt problems or even just a loan to go on holiday, you have to do precisely that - look around.
Research has found that most people simply enter into the first arrangement they come across or are offered by their bank. The fact is they could be throwing away thousands of pounds each time they do this, as the savings from one product to the next can be huge.
Financial columnist Cesarina Holm-Kander thinks the reaons lies in the fact people want to get everything sorted quickly. She commented, "A lot of people are scared about personal finance and there's absolutely no reason to be."
She added simply, "Get smart, get savvy and get informed about financial products."
If you're in debt it can be even more imperative that you compare the market because you really do have to look after every single penny.