For Brits, May 6 is the most expensive day of the year

London, May 6 : For Britons, today is the most expensive day of the year, as it involves splurging on the Bank Holiday weekend and paying off a host of household bills and direct debits.

Thousands of homeowners also face higher mortgage repayments as their fixed-rate deals end.

Millions of quarterly electricity and gas bills will drop through the letterbox - and will be bigger than before due to the freezing February and energy price hikes.

Some 3.4 million Brits must pay their car insurance premiums.

More than 20 per cent of TV viewers will fork out for their annual licence. And it all comes on top of a rush to the shops on Saturday, Bank Holiday treats on Sunday and yesterday - and tank fulls of pricey petrol to get home after the fun.

A survey reveals 75 per cent of hard-pressed Brits are trying to cut back. Many say they have pangs of anxiety over money that stop them making big purchases. Nearly 60 per cent are reviewing suppliers for utilities, telephone, broadband and TV services.

And more than one third are making their own clothes, growing their own food or making their own wine.

ANI