Manchester gets a money makeover

It's a rich man's world in Manchester, according to research released by NatWest MoneySense, which reveals that life-loving Mancunians are the UK's biggest spenders, with the average household spending £26k a year, nearly £2,000 more than London.

But whilst Manchester topped the spending charts, 55% of Mancunians still manage to put away savings each month, which, along with 53% of Londoners, is above the average number of savers in the UK (47%).

This research coincides with the launch of NatWest's MoneySense Week in Manchester. Kicking off on Monday 12 May, the roadshow will be going to the Arndale Centre (12-18 May), and Crown Point in Denton (14-18 May), where advisors from the MoneySense programme and independent partner, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, will be offering free, impartial money guidance to help make sense of your money.

Manchester chosen to host very first MoneySense road show

The MoneySense road show is the very first of its kind in the country and Manchester's vibrant city centre has been chosen to host the MoneySense week. As a natural extension to the 14 year heritage of NatWest MoneySense financial education in schools, MoneySense Week will provide practical guidance and tips for adults, to see if face to face guidance is as popular as the MoneySense for Adults websites which receive over 53,000 visitors per month or the 6,000 Managing Your Money guides picked up in branches every month.

Stephen Moir, MoneySense spokesperson said: "While it's great to hear that Manchester's ‘big spenders' are enjoying their money and lifestyle today, it's also important to think about how managing your money better today can mean more savings for tomorrow.

MoneySense advisers will be on hand all week during the MoneySense roadshow, offering free, impartial face to face guidance on how people can improve their everyday money decisions, like how a budget will help you keep track of your spending and show you where you could be making a few extra savings. The advisers will also be able to provide tips and ideas to suit different lifestyles, from a student who is perhaps confused about their student loan and a couple considering the costs of buying their first home to those starting a family or planning for retirement."

Angela Griffin launches NatWest's MoneySense Week in Manchester

Manchester star, actress Angela Griffin, who has lived and worked in the city and is launching MoneySense Week said: "Like most people, I think managing my money is far less interesting than spending it. However, as a mother of two and self-employed, it's really important that I keep on top of my money. MoneySense is so easy to use and can really help you get your head around all that financial jargon. I use the online budget calculator to help me plan for the month.

My best friend found the interactive financial health-check intriguing as it works with your money habits and gives you a personal ‘money diagnosis' identifying your top financial issues to work on and ideas on how you can work towards improving your ‘financial health'.

Free face to face money guidance and the chance to win a laptop

Anyone can visit the roadshow in the city at the Arndale Centre (12-18 May), Tesco Failsworth (12-13 May) and Crown Point in Denton (14-18 May) and book a confidential one to one guidance session with a MoneySense or Consumer Credit Counselling Service Adviser, or use the interactive online tools like financial health checks and a budgeting calculator. The roadshow will also offer the chance to watch short movie clips of interviews with members of the public sharing their experiences of how they manage their money. Individual fact sheets with guidance for different life stages will also be available. Everyone who visits will have the opportunity to enter a competition to win a laptop.

If you can't get to the MoneySense road show, you can find money guidance suited to your lifestyle, online at www.natwest.com/moneysense".