Spending Habits
PayPal: IMRG Capgemini Sales Index for February 2009
Cameron McLean, PayPal's general manager for UK merchant services, said: "We saw a significant boost in e-commerce payments in the UK at the start of February as a result of the heavy snowfall, which encouraged many people snowed in at home to visit the online high street.
Support Red Nose Day as Brits cutback on charity donations
Today is Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, and as millions prepare to 'Do Something Funny for Money' Fairinvestment.co.uk is urging people to give generously, despite the recession.
Brits need help to beat shopping addiction
25% of Brits are addicted to shopping, according to a national survey. Government campaigns help alcoholics, smokers and gamblers but shopping addiction is still viewed as a frivolous pastime, rather than a debilitating compulsion.
Beat the credit crunch, give up smoking this No Smoking Day
Almost two thirds of Brits have noticed their finances being stretched since the credit crunch began - Kick the habit this No Smoking Day (March 11) and beat the recession, says Fairinvestment.co.uk
Average inflation falls, but remains high for some
Older and poorer households are facing much higher average inflation rates than younger and richer ones, as the former have tended to suffer most from continued high annual inflation in food and domestic energy costs, while the latter have tended to benefit most from cuts in mortgage rates and falling motor fuel bills
CAF launches charity wedding gift service with John Lewis
Couples who have their wedding list with John Lewis can now ask friends and family for a donation to charity as well as traditional household gifts such as a toaster, or dinner service thanks to a new partnership between John Lewis and the Charities Aid Foundation.
Job loss fear cuts retail spending
In a six-month follow-up to its long-term national MoneyMood Survey, Legal & General (L&G) predicts continued turmoil for the economy as increasing fears of job losses impel the majority of workers to save rather than spend.
Consumer confidence rises two points in February
The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index recorded its first rise since October 2008 in February. Despite the weakening economic conditions, the index increased from 41 in January to 43 in February.
Brits aspire to ‘the good life’ with self-sufficient lifestyles
As the recession takes a hold, new research from egg.com reveals that many Brits have changed their lifestyles to become much more self-sufficient by adopting alternative means that wouldn't look out of place in an episode of The Good Life.
Brits expect to splash the cash as wedding guests
Almost a third of Brits (30%) look set to be significantly out of pocket this year - and all because of a wedding invite - reveals greenbee.com.
Holidaymakers plan ahead to make the most of airport shopping
People are planning ahead to make the most of tax free savings at airports, according to research from Direct Line Travel Insurance. Nearly two thirds of holidaymakers (65%) admit they carefully budget for airport spending before they go away.
Support Fairtrade Fortnight through ethical finance
Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 is now well underway, and as local communities meet to raise awareness of Fairtrade through various events, Fairinvestment.co.uk is reminding people that they can also support Fairtrade and other good causes through their finances.
Finders keepers: Generosity lessens as people feel the pinch
A cash strapped British public are becoming a nation of ‘finders keepers' when it comes to stumbling upon a ‘windfall' on the street, according to research from Alliance & Leicester Current Accounts.
Brits worry they won’t have enough money to pay future bills
Nearly a third (31%) of Brits are worried they won't have enough money in the next five years to cover the costs of their domestic bills, according to research on behalf of Saga Savings.
Young are the nifty thrifties
Brits plan to save their way out of recession rather than spend, according to research from Abbey Savings. Against a backdrop of falling Bank of England interest rates and the VAT cut - the vast majority of consumers of all ages and in all regions are cutting back on their expenditure.