Household Spending Habits

Impulse-buy Brits spend £6.2 billion on things they don't use

Despite today's tough economic times, 85 per cent of Brits admit to spending money in the last five years on goods they've never or rarely used.

Consumer spending power growth suffers fall in January

Consumers began the New Year with a further squeeze on household budgets, according to the Lloyds TSB Spending Power Report.

Fakeaways and joint baths to beat frugal February

Money savvy Brits are sharing bath water and recreating costly takeaways with home-made ‘Fakeaways’ as they tighten their belts for Frugal February, according to new research.

Half-term'oil' - February half-term spending costs parents £1.7bn

Parents' wallets are due to take a battering this half-term to the combined tune of £1.7 billion with cash-strapped mums and dads shelling out an average of £230 for the week - £33 every day - in a bid to keep their kids occupied.

Brits put ‘life on hold' as plans for holidays and new cars are delayed

Brits are delaying decisions which could have a big impact on their finances, reveals new research. In the last 12 months, 27 per cent of people have delayed a decision about going on a foreign holiday, while nearly one in five (19 per cent) put off buying a car.

Brits had fewer financial regrets in 2012

Brits were happier with their finances in 2012 than the previous year, reveals first direct's third annual "Financial Regrets" survey.

Spending power flat as incomes struggle to keep pace with cost of living

Continuing the trend seen through much of 2012, the year ended with income struggling to keep pace with inflation through December.

Quarter of household income goes on paying bills

Brits spend almost a quarter (23 per cent) of their disposable income on essential household outgoings such as utilities, council tax, food and fuel, a figure that increases to 56 per cent for the nation's poorest households with an income of less than £14,000 per year, according to new research from the Santander 123 Current Account.

27 million determined to budget this year

Before 2013 even started, millions of people across the UK had resolved to manage their finances more effectively this year.

Age of Austerity - nine in ten now consider is 'cool' to be frugal

The Age of Austerity has officially made penny pinching ‘cool’- research revealed that money-saving methods such as using discount vouchers, collecting reward points and bartering in shops are now considered en vogue.

Brits brace themselves for a very difficult year financially in 2013

A new survey into the nation's New Year money worries found that 64 per cent of Brits are bracing themselves for a very difficult year financially in 2013, with most (42 per cent) concerned about increases in the cost of living and rising bills.

16m Brits won't have a regular household budget for the New Year

A third of adults in the UK (33%) admit their household is not likely to set a regular budget for 2013 to help cover their everyday costs such as rent, mortgage, travel, food, clothing and other essential bills, according to new research from the Money Advice Service.

Spending Habits