Spending Habits
Cash strapped consumers putting Christmas on hold
Over a quarter or Brits (26%) could wake up to nothing under the Christmas tree this year as families and loved ones resort to giving IOUs to save money, according to new research from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.
Savvy shoppers save as they search for bargains this Christmas
With the Christmas shopping frenzy upon us, almost 60% of UK shoppers admit that they're more conscious of what they're spending, turning us into a nation of bargain hunters.
Last minute ‘top-up' gifts mean women blow the Christmas budget
Last minute ‘top-up' gifts are an expensive shopping habit for women at Christmas, with almost half (46%) going over their budget to add that little extra to their friends' and family's present pile, according to new data from NS&I.
Cut price Christmas for six in ten Brits this year
Cash-strapped consumers will be enjoying a cut price Christmas this year, according to new research from uSwitch.com.
Families need almost £25,000 just to break even
The average British family now needs to bring home a staggering £24,600 a year - just to break even, says research commissioned by Skipton Financial Services, the mutually-owned financial adviser.
Inflation means mounting bills for stretched families
Despite inflation falling slightly to five per cent today, the high cost of living is putting pressure on the finances of British households, who are already spending over a quarter of their monthly income paying for essential bills.
Christmas replaced by ‘Thriftmas’ as families cut the festive finances
Families feeling the pinch are trimming the festive finances and replacing Christmas with ‘Thriftmas’ as they try to avoid the New Year over-budget blues.
Families forced to cut back on food due to rising energy bills
New research from Confused.com has revealed that 82 per cent of customers are worried how they will heat their homes this winter due to the rising costs of energy bills. In fact, 43% of people are cutting back on their weekly food shop, to help pay their heating bills.
Top tips to help make this Christmas a financial cracker
With just over six weeks to go until Christmas, research from MoneySupermarket.com found that only a third of Brits have enough cash to fund the festivities, with a further one in five (20 per cent) turning to savings and one in ten (10 per cent) turning to plastic.
Make money from your Christmas spending
Confused.com has launched a £30 cashback offer for customers looking for a new credit card to cut down interest payments on current balances or to spread the cost of their Christmas spending.
Consumer confidence continued to weaken in September
Consumer confidence maintained its downward trajectory in September, with the Nationwide Consumer Index recording its fourth consecutive monthly decline.
Generous Brits’ charity donations buck the recession
An overwhelming nine out of ten (86%) Brits are defying the recession by donating to charity according to new research from PayYOURway.org.uk, the education campaign for payments.
Brits plan to spend £560 celebrating Christmas
Brits plan to spend an average of £560 celebrating Christmas this year - with almost half of people planning to put current economic conditions to one side and spend the same amount on presents for their family as last year.
Brits already worried about the cost of Christmas
Despite Christmas being a few months down the road, with UK households struggling against the rising cost of living and the resultant squeeze on their wallets, almost two thirds of consumers (60 per cent) are already worried about how they will fund the cost of the festivities.
Brits favour spending on holidays over saving for retirement
Nearly three million working age adults will prioritise going on holiday over continuing to save for their retirement as their finances are squeezed, according to research by Prudential.