After losing weight and getting fit (25 per cent), the most common New Year's resolution for people in the UK is to start taking control of their finances (11 per cent), according to new research from Lloyds TSB.
Almost half (44 per cent) of Brits getting their finances in tiptop condition are focusing on their savings in the new decade.
Even though the vast majority of the population is
saving for a stable financial future, Lloyds TSB said its research showed an adventurous 16 per cent that said they were saving to be able to do something exciting in the future.
According to Lloyds TSB’s research, over half (57 per cent) of the population said they planned to save more in 2011 to reach their savings target - an average of £1,232.64 this year.
Almost a third (29 per cent) aim to save up to £50 per month. Over a third of women (35 per cent) plan to put away £50 per month, compared to a fifth (18 per cent) of men who are ambitiously aiming to save over £200 per month.
During the coming year, the average UK male aims to save £1,349.04 compared to women looking to save £1,128.36, which Lloyds TSB says that men will bolsters their collective savings pots by over £40 million more then women.
However over three quarters (78 per cent) don't have a savings timescale. This shows that, despite their initial determination to stick to a New Year's resolution, many of us find it difficult to make changes to our long-term habits.
“For many of us, savings is a bit like going to the gym, we know we should do it but we keep putting it off,” said Greg Coughlan, Head of
Savings at Lloyds TSB.
“We all start the New Year with good intentions but as the weeks go by it's easy to let our resolve slip, particularly when you can't see the results of your efforts immediately.
“Despite women outnumbering men in the population stakes, it would seem that men are leading in the savings league by 20 per cent, as for every £1 women save, men save £1.20.”
Regional New Year's Resolutions data:
|
|
Scotland
|
North East
|
North West
|
Yorks & Humber
|
West Mids
|
Wales
|
Eastern
|
London
|
South East
|
South West
|
East Mids
|
|
Healthier lifestyle eating and exercise
|
32%
|
30%
|
23%
|
25%
|
34%
|
18%
|
18%
|
29%
|
21%
|
23%
|
23%
|
|
Taking control of my finances
|
11%
|
11%
|
8%
|
10%
|
11%
|
25%
|
12%
|
9%
|
9%
|
10%
|
8%
|
|
Find a new job
|
7%
|
4%
|
7%
|
6%
|
3%
|
11%
|
6%
|
10%
|
8%
|
5%
|
5%
|
|
Spend more time with friends and family
|
1%
|
3%
|
5%
|
5%
|
2%
|
-
|
3%
|
5%
|
7%
|
5%
|
4%
|
|
Find my perfect partner
|
2%
|
1%
|
4%
|
2%
|
4%
|
2%
|
1%
|
5%
|
2%
|
3%
|
2%
|
|
Other
|
5%
|
1%
|
3%
|
3%
|
5%
|
1%
|
4%
|
5%
|
4%
|
3%
|
2%
|
|
Haven't made a New Year resolution yet
|
9%
|
7%
|
12%
|
10%
|
7%
|
4%
|
8%
|
8%
|
10%
|
8%
|
9%
|
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