“People think the bankers got us into this mess, so what hope do we have of getting out of it? But that’s not true – there is hope for the individual.”

This will be the message of Liz Lugt, a chartered accountant and money management coach from Twickenham, during a free lecture in Richmond on June 17.

“Everyone is affected by the recession: whether it is losing your favourite hairdresser or losing your job,” Mrs Lugt will say.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders estimates that about 205 properties a day will be repossessed this year, up from 143 a day in the last three months of 2008.

The average household debt in Britain, excluding mortgages, is £9,280, according to Credit Action.

A survey by NS&I Savings in 2007 found that 12 per cent Britons have no savings whatsoever, and another 23 per cent have less than £1,000 saved “People think they have to settle for a certain level: a dead-end job, not owning a home or to be 65 and still forced to work,” Mrs Lugt will say. “That can change.”

Mrs Lugt has worked in money management roles for companies including Disney and Virgin.

She recently set up her own business, M3E, to help individuals and organisations towards financial freedom.

During the talk at Old Deer Park sports club, Mrs Lugt will share principles about how to manage your money, how to spend it and how to think about the future.

In one case Diane Fick, a teacher from Ealing, was able to save £200 a month by applying the principles. It has enabled her to follow her dream to resign and work with Aids orphans in South Africa.

John van Zyl, a systems analyst from north west London, has managed to get pay off £3,500 of debt in five months using the principles. He also amassed a pension of £3,200 in the same time.

However, according to Mrs Lugt the principles are not only for people in debt or those who consider themselves to be bad with money.

“It’s about making your money go further and preparing for lean times. We can all do with some extra pounds in our pocket.”

• Liz Lugt will speak at a cheese and wine event at Old Deer Park sports club, Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2AZ, at 7.30pm on June 17. Free entry.. Book by emailing liz@m3e.uk.com.