Spending Habits
Alfresco dining a British summer favourite
Alfresco dining and socialising with friends are the things that people look forward to most during the great British Summer, according to the results of a survey by smile the internet bank.
Switzerland cheapest for fuel in Europe for motoring holidaymakers
Motorists holidaying in Europe this year will find petrol cheapest in Switzerland at only 75p per litre, according to a survey by the Post Office, the UK provider of foreign currency.
The £4.7 billion children's entertainment bill
Demanding children will cost parents over £4.7 billion this summer, according to new research from Abbey Current Accounts.
Brits jet off on the next holiday before paying for the last
Britain is a holiday-loving nation with most of us going on at least two trips a year – but many of us are taking a ‘buy now - worry later’ approach.
David Gray is “Green” but Madonna is a “Bad Girl”
David Gray has been voted the greenest artist to appear at Live Earth this Saturday, according to Fool.co.uk readers.
UK consumer confidence falls
The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index fell in June for the first time since December 2006. The fall reversed half of the dramatic rise in confidence recorded in May.
Government still underestimating inflation
Despite two interest rate hikes this year to curb the cost of living, Fool.co.uk readers say official inflation figures are still wide of the mark.
Rate rises pile on the pressure as bills go unpaid
More than 7.4 million household bill payments have been missed in the past six months as Bank of England rate rises hit home, new MoneyExpert.com research shows.
Technology Obsessed Generation (TOGS) choose to stay online
Forget leisure time in the pub, watching TV or relaxing with family and friends after work – many of us are choosing to stay online in the time saved by the technology revolution.
Gifts for your loved one cost £62 a month
Money can’t buy you love but you’ll need at least £744 a year to keep your partner sweet, according to a new study by MoneyExpert.com.
Brits need to brush up on their financial etiquette
Brits are out of touch with financial etiquette, new research commissioned by CreditExpert.co.uk reveals today. The study, compiled with the help of Ladette to Lady’setiquette expert Liz Brewer shows that when confronted by nine financial dilemmas, Brits only know how to respond ‘correctly’ to a third of them.
Which? awards ‘the best of the best’ in products and services
In its fiftieth year, today for the first time consumer watchdog Which? has presented awards to the very best products and services in the UK.
Brits keep £6k in the closet!
Bargain-crazy Brits have been warned to think twice when the summer sales start later this month– because new research reveals shoppers waste an incredible £6,044 (on average) during their lifetime on unwanted clothes and shoes.
Anticipated interest rate rise fuels job security fears
Four out of five UK consumers believe interest rates will rise again, fuelling a slump in confidence about job security, according to the Consumer Barometer from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets.
Brits fork out hundreds of pounds going to weddings
The average Brit shells out £386 to attend a wedding, splurging on gifts, clothes, accommodation, travel and reception drinks. Of this, £130 is often spent before the wedding day itself on stag and hen parties.