The deterioration of Britons' personal finances slowed for the second consecutive month as fears over inflation eased in November.
Survey compiler Markit said that its headline UK Household Finance Index rose to 39.3 in November from 39 in October, reaching its highest level since December 2010.
However, the index remained below the 50 level that would mark no change.
Around 28% of respondents said their financial situation has worsened this month, while less than 7% reported an improvement.
"November's survey highlights that the alleviation of strains on household finances has continued as winter approaches," said Markit economist Tim Moore. "However, expectations for the year ahead remain subdued, as the dismal global economic backdrop means the recent easing in financial pressures is more a cause for relief than celebration."
Current UK inflation perceptions by respondents dropped in November for the first time in four months, and inflation expectations also improved slightly. However, almost three quarters of respondents reported that their cost of living had increased compared to the previous month.
"The surprise uptick in consumer price inflation during October, alongside muted trends in employee earnings, suggests that the recent moderation in financial strains may prove somewhat transitory," Moore warned.
Britons' view of their financial outlook remained bleak with around 40% of households expecting their finances to worsen, with only 23% anticipating an improvement.
The survey also showed that people renting from private landlords saw a particularly large drop in their finances in November, pressured by rising property rental costs.
Empty shops at record levels in UK town centres
Seperate figures show that the proportion of empty shops in British town centres hit a record in October in the face of stagnating sales and rising costs.
This is according to a survey from the British Retail Consortium published today.
2012 has seen several high profile retail failures, including sportswear group JJB Sports, outdoor goods group Blacks Leisure, video games retailer Game and greetings card firm Clinton Cards. Though they all re-emerged in some form, hundreds of stores have closed.
The retail lobby group said the proportion of empty stores on UK high streets and in shopping centres was 11.3% in October, the highest figure since the BRC began publishing the survey in July 2011 and 0.4% worse year-on-year.
It said Northern Ireland (20%), Wales (15.1%) and the North and Yorkshire (14.6%) had the highest vacancy rates.
"This new high in empty shop numbers really sets alarm bells ringing," said BRC director general Stephen Robertson, adding the survey "confirms that financial challenges for both customers and retailers are far from over."
Though about two-thirds of Britain's GDP is generated by consumer spending, retailers are mostly struggling as consumers' disposable incomes are eroded by rising prices, subdued wages growth and government austerity measures.
Official data last week showed British retail sales posted a surprise fall in October as shoppers cut back on food and clothing purchases, reducing the chances consumers will boost the economy in the final quarter. That data came a day after the Bank of England warned that Britain faced years of meagre economic growth coupled with rising prices, adding that its ability to numb the pain was nearing its limit.
