Spending Habits
Brits turned off by technology
Technology marches on with new and advanced products hitting the high-street daily. However, even with today’s reliance on computers and mobile phones, over half (53 per cent) of Brits feel that modern technology has now become too complicated and could turn their back on technology, according to the latest report from PayPal, the online payments provider.
Time-poor Brits enjoy just 16 hours a week of ‘true’ leisure
Brits have just 16 hours of ‘true’ leisure time per week - equivalent to just over two hours a day, according to research issued as part of the ‘Abbey Lifestyle Report’.
Retirees face inflation, income and inheritance ‘triple whammy’
The UK’s over-75 population is being hit by a financial ‘triple whammy’ as a result of heavy-handed government pension policy and the high cost of basic necessities such as food and heating, according to Alliance Trust, a leading pension provider.
Cash machines busier than ever over festive season
Gloomy predictions about consumer spending at Christmas had little effect on cash machine withdrawals according to statistics from LINK, the operator of the UK cash machine network which showed that cash machines were busier than ever in the run up to and during the festive season.
Wednesday 17th January will be Britain’s poorest day in 2007
Today, a report by uSwitch.com, reveals that Wednesday 17th January is officially the poorest day of the year in the UK as households reach a “cash crisis”. For more than 14 million households (57%), December is the most expensive month of the year, leading to a serious spending hangover in January.
Brits spend £1.4billion putting on the perfect party for kids
British families spend almost £450 a year, on average, celebrating children’s birthdays, according to research from American Express.
Brits splash out on euro city cool - on top of two weeks by the pool
It’s not just new winter coats and next Christmas’s presents that Brits are snapping up in the January sales. They are also laying out for their annual two weeks of summer sun and grabbing low cost European mini-breaks while they are at it.
Elderly inflation rate continues to exceed 4%
The elderly’s annual inflation rate in December has increased further to 4.2% - more than double the government’s inflation target, according to the Alliance Trust Research Centre’s monthly alert, which is part of its ongoing ‘Age and Inflation’ study.
CPI inflation at record 3%
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual inflation – the Government's target measure – was 3.0 per cent in December, the highest on record, and up from 2.7 per cent in November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Football fans turn their backs on live games as costs soar
More than 40 per cent of football fans have cut the number of live matches they attend this season as rising costs of following the game hit home, according to new research from Virgin Money. The company’s Football Fans Price Index shows the cost of going to games has risen by 17 per cent since the start of 2006.
Consumers reveal the truth about inflation
The Government grossly underestimates inflation figures according to new findings of an online survey by independent personal finance website Fool.co.uk.
Old age parents funding BOMADS
Young parents need to wake up to the costs of parenting if they think they’ll be free of the burden of their children by the time they’re 50, according to new research by engage Mutual Assurance.
High net worth consumers most likely to use ‘alternative’ legal firms
High net worth customers are more likely to use ‘alternative’ providers of legal services than other income groups.
Gloomy outlook for consumer confidence in 2007
For the second consecutive month, all 4 Nationwide Consumer Confidence Indices fell – 1 fell to a new low whilst 2 are at their joint lowest position.
Starsigns may impact consumer payment habits
APACS, the UK payments association, has published a new online guide, Payment Horoscopes, which provides a light-hearted look at the payment habits of UK consumers by star sign.