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Half of Brits hide their spending from their partner

  • Confessions – Survey Results write up

    Money, money, money - it has the power to make the world go round, bring it to a grinding halt and also bring out the sneaky side in even the best of us.

    We surveyed 2,000 UK current account holders* to reveal some of the nation's secret spending habits, as well as general attitudes towards money.

    Money, money, money - it has the power to make the world go round, bring it to a grinding halt and also bring out the sneaky side in even the best of us.

    We surveyed 2,000 UK current account holders* to reveal some of the nation's secret spending habits, as well as general attitudes towards money.

  • Secret accounts

    Whilst those aged 55+ are the most likely to hide secret accounts, credit cards and loans from their partner (61% admitted to this), they are also the most generous age group, with many perceiving money as a means to treat loved ones.

    Meanwhile, 18-24 year olds are the most likely to avoid paying for a train ticket, with 28% confessing they had dodged a fare at least once.

    Whilst those aged 55+ are the most likely to hide secret accounts, credit cards and loans from their partner (61% admitted to this), they are also the most generous age group, with many perceiving money as a means to treat loved ones.

    Meanwhile, 18-24 year olds are the most likely to avoid paying for a train ticket, with 28% confessing they had dodged a fare at least once.

When it comes to sneaky purchases, it is also 18-24 year olds who are most likely to hide items they've bought from a loved one (one in five), whilst over a third (37%) have lied about how much they've paid for something.

Women are the worst culprits for this, with 31% admitting to telling white lies ("I bought it in the sale!") about the cost of a purchase, but only a fifth of men confessing to doing the same. However, the male population appears to be craftier when it comes to hiding spending completely, with 17% saying they have paid for something in cash to prevent it from showing up on a statement.

  • Round dodging

    Some of the most surprising results from the survey are revealed by dividing respondents according to income.

    High earners are less likely to have any qualms about dipping into their child’s bank account for a short-term loan, whilst those on the lowest salaries are the least likely to dodge a round of drinks.

    Some of the most surprising results from the survey are revealed by dividing respondents according to income.

    High earners are less likely to have any qualms about dipping into their child’s bank account for a short-term loan, whilst those on the lowest salaries are the least likely to dodge a round of drinks.

  • Splashing out

    General attitudes towards money differ quite dramatically up and down the country, with a quarter of Londoners living by the 'if I've earnt it, I can spend it' mantra. But it's not just people in the south who are prone to splashing out - some 29% of Newcastle residents admit to having raided a 'rainy day' stash.

    In Edinburgh, 27% of our survey respondents claim to have spent half their wage within the first week of being paid. Meanwhile, Leeds residents are most likely to tell a tall tale about the cost of a purchase - 36% have lied about this to a loved one.

    General attitudes towards money differ quite dramatically up and down the country, with a quarter of Londoners living by the 'if I've earnt it, I can spend it' mantra. But it's not just people in the south who are prone to splashing out - some 29% of Newcastle residents admit to having raided a 'rainy day' stash.

    In Edinburgh, 27% of our survey respondents claim to have spent half their wage within the first week of being paid. Meanwhile, Leeds residents are most likely to tell a tall tale about the cost of a purchase - 36% have lied about this to a loved one.

  • Save or spend?

    As a nation, it seems we're relatively savvy when it comes to hunting down a bargain. 42% will shop around for a deal before making a purchase, with 45% of those surveyed justifying their spending as 'a treat.'

    Almost a third of Brits prefer to save rather than spend, citing security as the main reason behind this. A frugal 23% claim they make only essential purchases and save whatever they can, with just 7% admitting to never putting any money aside.

    Whilst many Brits regularly enjoy a trip to the cinema, the majority tend to give the snack kiosk a wide-berth; 55% of the current account holders we spoke to admit they smuggle in their own shop-bought treats in a bid to save.

    As a nation, it seems we're relatively savvy when it comes to hunting down a bargain. 42% will shop around for a deal before making a purchase, with 45% of those surveyed justifying their spending as 'a treat.'

    Almost a third of Brits prefer to save rather than spend, citing security as the main reason behind this. A frugal 23% claim they make only essential purchases and save whatever they can, with just 7% admitting to never putting any money aside.

    Whilst many Brits regularly enjoy a trip to the cinema, the majority tend to give the snack kiosk a wide-berth; 55% of the current account holders we spoke to admit they smuggle in their own shop-bought treats in a bid to save.

And if there's one thing we really like, it's a freebie, so it will probably come as no surprise that two out of five people are prone to pinch toiletries and other items from hotel rooms.

So, what kind of spender do you see yourself as? Are you a liberty spender who likes to splurge on payday weekend, or are you a secret squirrel that puts away every last penny? 

*Based on a survey of 2,000 Current Account holders in the UK. The survey was conducted by OnePoll in April 2016 on behalf of first direct.