Spending Habits Items

Entertaining at Christmas, without overspending

Entertaining at Christmas can be great, particularly if you land a few bargains along the way.

Online bargains luring shoppers away from stores

Online bargains are tempting shoppers away from the high street even though the majority prefer the experience of spending their cash in stores, new research shows. The survey by Retail Eyes found while 76 per cent like hitting the shops, 75 per cent believe the internet is offering up the best deals.

Financial pessimism crosses North/South divide

Falling incomes and increased living costs are taking their toll on Londoners; bucking the usual trend of a North/South divide. The latest Spending Power Report from Lloyds TSB revealed 53 per cent of residents in the capital now feel pessimistic about their financial prospects.

Budgeting Brits refuse to forego luxuries

Cash-strapped Brits are cutting back on basics such as food and clothes in order to keep spending on ‘lifestyle essentials’ such as holidays and nights out. Protection specialist LV= found the average household splashed out £5,850 on the top 10 luxury items in the last year.

Tough financial times 'will not dampen Christmas'

Resolute Brits are refusing to let difficult financial times spoil Christmas with almost half saying they will not be cutting back on gifts this year. Consumers are planning to spend an average £560 on the 2011 festive season according to HSBC’s Christmas Spending Survey.

Financial optimism grows slightly, index claims

Families are slightly less downbeat about their future finances, according to Markit’s latest monthly household finance index. The September report found households grew more optimistic about the coming year with the Future HFI rising to its highest level for 17 months.

Make extra money by renting out household items

A new website has been created which enables cash conscious Brits to rent items they rarely use to other people in the local area. RentMyItems.com gives people the chance to make some money from household equipment that is otherwise gathering dust in a corner.

Cash conscious Brits 'less likely to splurge'

Brits are now more reluctant to splash out on big ticket items and would prefer to try and fix broken household goods, a new poll has revealed. According to Legal & General research an era of ‘making do’ means 66 per cent would repair an item rather than buy a new one.

AXA urges caution against more borrowing

Brits took a more ‘cavalier’ attitude towards their finances in the second quarter of the year, according to AXA’s Big Money Index. The report claims a rise in consumer confidence has fuelled greater levels of borrowing at the same time as a reduction in savings and debt repayment.

Generous Brits splash cash on wedding gifts

Generous wedding guests are spending more than double on gifts for the bride and groom than they did two years ago, new research reveals. Santander Credit Cards claims weddings are bucking the trend in a time of rising costs and tightening budgets.

'Happy shoppers make better decisions'

Shopping when in a good mood improves decision-making abilities about what to buy, new research claims. The study found customers who are happy make quicker and more consistent judgements than those who are unhappy.

'Panic threshold' for carrying cash revealed

The maximum amount of cash people are prepared to carry around in their pockets before getting nervous is £208, according to the Payments Council. However, consumers feel comfortable transacting over twice as much as money online, the survey found.

Poll reveals most hated 'rip off charges'

The top consumer bugbears have been revealed in a poll of the small everyday charges that make people angry. Being charged extra for not paying bills by direct debit was the most hated ‘little rip off’ in the MSN Money survey.

Counting the cost of football support

Football fans can work out how much they are spending following their favourite team with a new MSN Money calculator. The online tool adds up everything from the cost of season tickets to pies and pints.

Over 50s reduce spending amid inflation damage

The over 50s have reduced their spending as inflation continues to damage their living standards, according to a new Saga report. The insurer’s latest quarterly analysis revealed the older generations have experienced a decline in their quality of life as a result.

Patriotic Brits to spend £267 on wedding festivities

Households are set to spend an average £267 each on Royal Wedding festivities, new research reveals. The Co-operative Bank has found those who won’t be jetting off to sunnier climes for the four-day break will be celebrating the occasion with friends and family at home.

'Material goods are not a quick fix for happiness', study claims

Consumers who believe material goods can provide a quick fix to improve life are more likely to sink into debt, new research claims. Conducted by a University of Missouri researcher, the study looks at some of the behavioural traits behind the purchases people make.

Co-operative friends buy in bulk

More people are buying in bulk and sharing the goods with family, friends and neighbours in a bid to save money, new figures reveal. The research found a quarter of people take part in co-operative bulk buying, reinforcing the Government's plans to support collective purchasing.

Savvy shoppers bag £12bn in bargains

Savvy Brits are saving £12bn a year by hunting out the best deals on things like shopping, eating out and holidays, according to a voucher code website. Research from CouponCoupon revealed a new generation of thrifty shoppers looking for bargains and discounts.

Consumer confidence reaches 'all time low'

Consumer confidence reached a record low last month, according to the latest Nationwide Building Society index.

November is new December in Christmas shopping

Latest spending data shows November is the new December when it comes to Christmas shopping.

Over 55s cut back on spending

Consumers over the age of 55 have had a tough 12 months, forcing them to cut back on all areas of spending and saving amid falling incomes and increasing mortgage debt.

Inflated menu prices tough to swallow

Consumers dining out for special occasions are finding inflated menu prices and poor service hard to swallow, according to a new survey by lastminute.com.

Amorous Brits splash the cash for Valentine's

Amorous Brits are planning to spend an average £55 each on their loved ones to mark Valentine's Day this year.

High earners set to save less in 2011

Britain's high earners are set to save ten per cent less in 2011, a survey by HSBC has found. Those on six-figure salaries will add £18,255 to their savings pots on average this year, compared with £20,314 last year.