32% of Brits do not consider themselves organised when it comes to household paperwork
Despite constant bombardment of money-saving tips and advice, few of us will head into 2010 with hopes of increased prosperity if the way we manage our household admin is anything to go by.
32% of Brits do not consider themselves organised when it comes to household paperwork; and as a result, are likely to miss out on money-saving deals or even incur fines via late renewals of policies and official documents. The research commissioned by just-launched web service allfiled.com.
According to research by datamonitor, on average, families waste £2,650 per year by overpaying on household bills proving that lack of control over household paperwork could be costing Brits’ dearly.
More than 1 million have paid mortgage or rent by credit card
A recent YouGov poll on behalf of Shelter has indicated that more than 1 million householders have used credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent in the last 12 months.
8% of those who pay their rent or mortgage through credit card were from working class professions (C2DE social grouping), but the poll also showed that the ABC1 category are falling victim, with 4% of respondents saying they use credit cards in this way. 1 in 12 Londoners are resorting to plastic to pay their mortgage or rent.
Shelter has expressed serious concern about this situation, since adding high-interest credit card debt on top of over-demanding mortgage payments will only add to household debt in the long term. A spokesperson commented: ‘It is absolutely vital that every single person using credit cards in this way seeks advice urgently to get the help they need to ensure they don’t lose their home.’
Half of UK Adults regret throwing something away
50% of respondents to a recent YouGov survey, on behalf of self-storage company Safestore, regret throwing away old clothes, photographs and other family memorabilia due to lack of space.
The research has attracted some press attention: Ray Connolly, writing in the Daily Mail, argues that “Decluttering may make a home look pristine, super-cool and efficient. But it isn’t necessarily good for us.” He continues, “the baggage we collect through life brings with it little jolts of memories.”
Jessica Fellowes draws a similar conclusion in The Telegraph, citing a wonderful story of the writer and director Julian Fellowes, who, on throwing out his late Aunt Isie’s old suitcase, fortunately changed his mind:
“In the middle of the night, I panicked and ran out first thing, only to discover that it contained an entire correspondence between my aunt and Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter.”
Among other items we wish we had held on to are old games consoles, sports equipment and musical instruments. Old coins, wedding dresses and, bizarrely, Persian rugs were also on the most-missed list.
2006: 56% Low-income households ’struggling with finances’. In 2009: 90%
The sharper end of the recession has hit the poorest in society. 90% of households earning less than £20,000 a year or £25,000 in London, claimed they were struggling to stay afloat, up from 56% when the same survey was carried out in 2006.
Four out of 10 people on low incomes said they thought their debts were impacting on their physical and mental wellbeing, rising to 50% among households with children.
The groups also found that 60% of households in receipt of housing benefits or local housing allowance received less than the cost of their rent, with a quarter of these people having to make up a shortfall of more than £49 a week.
Yougov carried out the research for housing charity Shelter and the Money Advice Trust. They questioned 745 tenants with household incomes of less than £20,000, rising to £25,000 in London, and 440 landlords.
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