Household Spending Habits

A bumpy ride for consumer confidence in 2008

The last Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index of 2008 shows that confidence fell further from 51 to 47 during December. Confidence in the labour market continues to dominate the overall index and news of troubled retailers and redundancies in the motor industry are likely to have affected sentiment during the month.

Put your shirt on Chelsea to save

Chelsea might think they're big name stars but they're really the Premier League's smallest and cheapest squad while Blackburn are the proper big names, according to Virgin Money.

UK workers anticipate missing out on £3.1 billion in payrises

Nearly a quarter (22%) of workers believe they will be bypassed entirely for a payrise next year, according to research by uSwitch.com.

Brits inherit ‘spending gene'

New research claims that millions of Britons have inherited a so-called ‘spending gene', which governs whether they become spenders or savers.

Brits ditch the gym to save a few quid this New Year

Hitting the gym and getting fit and healthy usually tops the list of New Year resolutions, but not this year it seems. Over half of Brits with gym membership (56 per cent) say they will be quitting the gym in the New Year to cut costs.

Resolve to gain pounds in 2009

Instead of pledging to lose kilos in the New Year, why not resolve to gain pounds of the Sterling variety? Figures from price comparison site moneysupermarket.com show on average people could save more than £2,500 over the next 12 months by making a New Year's resolution to move to more competitive financial products.

Men are canny Christmas shoppers

Heavy discounting in the annual post Christmas sales was enough to tempt 14 per cent of Britons to delay buying presents until after 25th December.

There’s no place like home this New Year’s Eve

The UK is set to shun bars and clubs this New Year’s Eve with almost two thirds of the population (63 per cent) preferring to spend the night in with friends and family, reveals the fourth Post Office Home Insurance New Year survey.

Celebrating at home and staying local the top ways to see in 2009

When it comes to ringing in 2009, over half (58%) of those who plan to go out this New Year's Eve will stay local to save money. More than two-fifths (42%) are opting for low-key celebrations with friends and staying in, according to the latest NS&I (National Savings and Investments) Savings Survey.

High street discounts slash consumer price expectations

Aggressive discounting on the high street and falling prices at the petrol pumps has caused a sharp fall in inflation expectations, according to the latest Consumer Barometer from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets.

Brits get set for January sales

The number of shoppers who will be going to the January sales is set to increase in the New Year compared to 2008.

Brits face Christmas with no presents this year

Nearly half of people say that buying gifts for their friends and family this year would be one of the first things to face the chop if they or someone in their household should suffer a loss of income (45%) according to the latest research from Combined Insurance.

Spending Habits