Spending Habits
Brits too scared to open post-Christmas bills
New figures from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) show that 48% of people are more likely to go on a diet or book a holiday than try to sort out their finances in January (13%), while just under a quarter (24%) of 16 to 44-year-olds are worried or scared about their bills arriving in the new year.
Brits see the New Year in on a modest budget
Staying in for New Year’s Eve is the new going out, according to a survey by leading independent personal finance information site Fool.co.uk.
Job security fears spur seasonal gloom
Consumer fears over the security of their jobs have hit a six-month high, despite recent official data demonstrating the health of the UK labour market, according to the latest Consumer Barometer from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets.
All I want for Christmas is to return my chavvy presents
As much as £78 million worth of Christmas presents could be unwanted, according to new research by online payment solution PayPal.
Twas the weekend before Christmas - gift gloom to beset Britain
As Brits prepare for a last-minute dash for Christmas gifts, be warned that your efforts could go to waste. An astonishing four in five of us (80 per cent) are likely to be po-faced on Christmas Day when we open presents we don't want or like.
Buy now, pay later mentality catching up with older generation
Despite the recent credit crunch, consumers are continuing to borrow money and debt levels are increasing with no sign of slowing down. But it’s not, as one may think, the younger generation that is getting themselves into the most amount debt, but instead the over 55’s.
Bargain Christmas for savvy shoppers
More than eight in ten (86%) consumers claim to be ‘savvy shoppers’,– looking for sale signs, money off vouchers and surfing the net for online bargains.
Clear and green conscience - Brits go green in 2008
We’ve used enough wrapping paper to cover over two thirds of Britain, we’ve sent approximately 858 million Christmas cards, and we’ve wasted bin liners upon bin liners of food. But with the New Year in tow Brits are planning to turn their conscience green, according to new research by Friends Provident.
Inflation rises for all age groups as food prices soar
Although the official headline rate of inflation remained unchanged at 2.1% in November, Alliance Trust’s independent study found that the inflation rate facing all five of its identified age groups increased over the month.
Last-minute Christmas spending approaches £12 billion
This Christmas, people are planning to spend more on their festive shopping than they did last year. With only a week to go until Christmas, new research from Sainsbury’s Credit Cards indicates that the nation intends to spend some £11.85 billion during the last week before Christmas - £2.7 billion more than the bank’s research identified this time last year.
Last minute present dash costs Brits millions
With eleven days to go until Christmas Day, the latest Egg research finds that Britain’s last minute Christmas shoppers could be looking at a £594 million overspend.
“Rate trippers” to shop abroad this Christmas
2.2 million Brits will become “rate trippers” this Christmas, travelling abroad to do their Christmas shopping in order to take advantage of the strong pound and favourable exchange rates, according to new research1 from Cater Allen Private Bank.
What’s money between friends?
People in the UK are owed more than £26 billion in unpaid debts by their friends and family, new research by secure online payment provider PayPal reveals.
Let it spend, let it spend, let it spend!
Results from this month’s Legal & General MoneyMood Survey show that reports of a ‘credit crunch’ haven’t dampened spending habits, with consumers ‘in the mood to spend’ at the highest level for 2007 and up three per cent from Nov 2006.
All I want for Christmas, is booze... (and food)
Expecting the latest console or deluxe set of hair straighteners to be under the Christmas tree this year? Don’t hold your breath.