Spending Habits
Catalogue debt warning
Debt advice charity the Money Advice Trust is reporting that its National Debtline took more than 25,000 calls for help from people with debts to catalogue companies last year, which is a record.
Weak income growth adds to squeeze on spending power
After inflation, spending power fell by 0.9% from a year earlier - equivalent to almost £100 a year less to spend on non-essential items - driven by falling real incomes.
DIY spending falls to record low
Spending on DIY has declined to its lowest level in over 15 years amid the continued squeeze on household finances and a subdued housing market, according to research by Lloyds TSB.
Double dip causes Brits to fear the worst for their finances
With news of the UK economy falling into a double dip recession last week, the comparison site MoneySupermarket.com asked its users how the news would affect their outlook on their finances.
Homeowners hit hard by household bill hikes
Consumer finances are being squeezed by household bills that are rising much faster than inflation, according to new research from the Santander 123 account.
Spare time spending costs soar
In its first bi-annual review, research by Halifax has revealed that families are now facing the most expensive costs for filling their spare time in over a decade.
Consumer confidence jumps to nine month high
Nationwide Building Society, UK mortgage and savings provider has released its Consumer Confidence Index for March 2012.
Consumers feel biggest squeeze in spending power in over a year
While inflation ticked up slightly in March, five consecutive months of decline to February has seen it drop 1.7 percentage points from its peak in September of last year.
Britons to spend £36 billion on summer holidays this year
Despite the UK's continued austerity drive, the majority of Britons are refusing to pass up on their holidays and will collectively spend in excess of £36 billion on getaways in 2012.
Cost of motherhood pushes new mums into the red
Almost three in ten first time mums (28%) have been forced into the red, racking up an average of almost £2,500 of debt because of maternity leave, according to a new study by uSwitch.com.
Savvy shoppers bag over £2m in cash from items rising in costs
Research from Quidco suggests some savvy consumers have already changed shopping habits when purchasing items that are increasing in costs.
Rising inflation is a setback for UK households
The announcement by The Bank of England that inflation (CPI) has risen for the first time in six months to 3.5 per cent, from 3.4 per cent last month, is a setback for UK households according to MoneySupermarket who are struggling to cope with the high cost of living.
Why are men such bad shoppers?
Research released by life insurance expert Confused.com reveals that men across the UK are paying far more for their life insurance than women.
'Mum and Dad cabs' clock up £32 billion of unpaid fares a year
Mums and dads in Britain provide over £32 billion worth of free taxi services to their children every year, according to new research from Sainsbury's car insurance.
Britain ‘heading for crisis' as cash-strapped families put off big decisions
British families are failing to plan ahead for life's big decisions, such as getting married, changing jobs or having more children, according to a new report by global insurer Zurich.