The week, running from 21-27 November, is not only about promoting Financial Planning as a profession but exploring what people can do on their own.

At a launch meeting, hosted by Seven Investment Management today, IFP chief executive Nick Cann said there were many people who were simply lacking confidence in financial services sector.

He said: “We want to help people who don’t want to hire a Financial Planner but just want to improve their finances. We’ll have features such as a budgeting tool on the website which will show the importance of saving just £50 a month.

“If they do need a Financial Planner then we can find the right people to help them, such as the Accredited Financial Planning Firms.

Financial Planning Week offers consumers, many of whom have been hit by the credit crunch and unemployment, the opportunity to learn how take better control of their day-to-day finances, identify goals and plan where they want to be in the future.

Sue Whitbread, communications director at the IFP, said: “It is hoped that Financial Planning Week will inspire and enable people from all walks of life, not just the wealthy, to take a few simple and practical steps that will help them gain control of their finances.

“The right kind of action can not just help people become better off, it can help them feel more positive, less fearful of the future, more empowered and better able to get the most out of life.”