Busy Brits use ‘dead time' to be more organised and have more fun
36 million of Britons are using time that was previously ‘dead time' - such as their lunch break, their commute to work or time spent waiting for an appointment - more productively allowing them to make the most of their free time, according to the NS&I's Quarterly Savings Survey.
Almost three quarters of Britons (74%) are using ‘dead time' in their day to carry out personal admin tasks. This is making for a more tranquil and contented nation; as 43% of those using their ‘dead time' for personal admin state they are more able to use their actual free time to be able to relax while 43% say that carrying out personal admin in ‘dead time' is a satisfying way of using the time efficiently.
The ability to use this time to finish previously postponed personal admin tasks is helping the nation become more organised. 39% of those using their ‘dead time' admit that if personal admin does not get done in this time then it will never get done, while 22% say that by finishing jobs in breaks from work or while waiting for an appointment is also helping them make the most of their free time.
Advances in technology have played a significant part in enabling the nation to complete more personal admin tasks in their ‘dead time'. Over half of Britons (52%) doing personal admin in this time use phone-calls and text messages to carry out these tasks and 44% use email. (27%) have taken advantage of new technology by using apps on a smartphone to complete their personal housekeeping, while a quarter (25%) use electronic documents or online notepads on their smartphone or tablets.
Half of Britons (50%) doing personal admin in their ‘dead time' are using this time to manage their money, and more strikingly, just over four fifths (81%) who make efficient use of this time say that they feel in control of their finances. Technological advances are also playing a part in the search to be more financially secure as three quarters of Britons (75%) prefer to manage their finances online, making this the most popular method of administration.
John Prout, NS&I Retail Customer Director, said: "Whether it is taking advantage of this previously redundant or restricted time in our day to make important calls to friends or carrying out money management tasks, as a result millions of Britons are enhancing their control over aspects such as their finances and also buying themselves more free time in which to enjoy themselves.
"This positive trend also shows that half of the nation are using this time to manage their money. The ability to now undertake more tasks online often means that you can take back control, and our research suggests that three quarters of Britons prefer to manage their finances online."
62% of Britons state that the use of mobile technology - such as internet connections on smartphones, mobile apps, tablets and laptops - is helping them to achieve more in their ‘dead time' than ever before.
Other tasks Britons are undertaking in their ‘dead time' include:
58% are using the time to keep in touch with friends and relatives
51% plan their weekly shop
49%, in a bid to become more organised, compile a ‘to do' list
41% carry out research such as planning their next holiday
37% opt to schedule appointments with their doctor, dentist or bank manager during their ‘dead time'
15% spend this time planning celebratory events such as weddings or birthdays.
John Prout continued: "The internet and other advances in technology have really helped people use their time more efficiently, and this is really positive move if it gives people more time to manage admin, such as their finances, better."
Just under a quarter of Britons, 23%, take advantage of the ‘dead time' in their day in order to have more time to enjoy their hobbies, while over a fifth of Britons, 21%, use the time saved to socialise and have more fun. While lots of Britons have embraced the trend of using this time in their day to complete personal admin tasks, there are still those who prefer more traditional ways of passing the gaps in their day. For example, just under a third (31%) of those not using this time for personal admin prefer to read books, magazines or newspapers, 28% like to spend the time browsing the internet, just over a quarter (26%) enjoy listening to music, while a tenth of (10%) prefer to spend the time catching up on forty winks.