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Brits spend £166 on treating themselves
In just three months the average Briton spends £166 on treats for themselves, new research reveals.
And overall, this means self-indulgent UK residents have racked up £7.8 billion in credit card spending on luxuries.
Data from Morgan Stanley shows that Brits are far happier spending money on themselves than others - with credit card holders spending just £55 each on treats for partners and spouses, although UK residents did splash out an average of £99 each on presents for their families in this period.
The figures, drawn from credit card spending in the last three months of 2005, also show that younger Britons are the most self-indulgent. Those in their 20s spent almost 50 per cent more on treats for themselves than the national average in this period, with under-20s the next biggest self-shoppers.
"Despite reports of a quiet end to 2005 on the high street, our research shows that Britons still found time for the occasional self-indulgent purchase," said Patrick Muir, marketing director for the Morgan Stanley credit card.
"Over the past few years we have observed a growing trend in using credit cards for making everyday purchases, but they also remain a popular way for people to treat themselves before pay day."
Residents of the East Midlands spent the most on themselves in the run-up to 2006, at £261 per person, while people in the north-east were the most generous - spending the most on their friends and relatives and the least on themselves.
Click here to find a cheap UK credit card
And overall, this means self-indulgent UK residents have racked up £7.8 billion in credit card spending on luxuries.
Data from Morgan Stanley shows that Brits are far happier spending money on themselves than others - with credit card holders spending just £55 each on treats for partners and spouses, although UK residents did splash out an average of £99 each on presents for their families in this period.
The figures, drawn from credit card spending in the last three months of 2005, also show that younger Britons are the most self-indulgent. Those in their 20s spent almost 50 per cent more on treats for themselves than the national average in this period, with under-20s the next biggest self-shoppers.
"Despite reports of a quiet end to 2005 on the high street, our research shows that Britons still found time for the occasional self-indulgent purchase," said Patrick Muir, marketing director for the Morgan Stanley credit card.
"Over the past few years we have observed a growing trend in using credit cards for making everyday purchases, but they also remain a popular way for people to treat themselves before pay day."
Residents of the East Midlands spent the most on themselves in the run-up to 2006, at £261 per person, while people in the north-east were the most generous - spending the most on their friends and relatives and the least on themselves.
Click here to find a cheap UK credit card
posted by Barbara Gordon at 10:01 AM
Brits spend £166 on treating themselves
6 Comments:
What qualifies as a treat? Does that include vacations, special coffee drinks, candy, snacks, spa treatments, manicures, smoothies? (To me, those are all treats, but not to everyone. I'm not sure what the "results" interpret as treats.)
I spend very little on treating myself and never put it on credit. I live a pretty basic lifestyle.
I guess I spend lots, but the things I consider treats are usually bigger sorts of items these days. I've got everything I need..........except a great master suite in this house, so I'm "treating" myself to a remodel. So, thousands would be the answer for this year for me. And, no, none of it is on a CC, I've got money left over from a real estate deal that I earmarked for this project.
To me treats are foods that I probably should not have. One thing we spend a lot on is diet sprite, about $8 a week. We both like mixed drinks in the evening with dinner, and diet sprite is the only diet drink we both can stand. Plus my husband takes a can or two for lunch every day. I usually buy two 12 packs a week. Several months ago, they went on sale for 4 packs for $10. I stocked up on all I could get, so I don't have to buy any for about a month. We do take our can diet sprite when we eat out, so we don't have to pay for a drink every night.
I've spent some, but not a lot. I bought Dance Dance Revolution for xbox and that's kind of a treat, but also is exercise. I've eaten out twice in the last couple of weeks. I'd say that I've spend less than $200 on "treats" since the beginning of the year.
My strategy is to pay all of my bills (mortgage, utilities) and my savings first, and use what is leftover (usually about $600 a month for groceries and fun money). If I've spent too much on DDR, then I'll be eating from my pantry for a week or so. From the looks of things, I'll be fine.
Hubby and I each have $100 per month 'mad money' allowance. He spends his on bowling league fees and I spend mine mostly on the kids. I don't desire much beyond the occasional coffee and muffin from the drive-thru.
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