The drive to make resolutions this year across the UK is unsurprisingly being led by those wanting to improve their health, with 37% of Britons vowing to eat more healthily. Over 4 in 10 (43%) women have such plans, compared to 30% of men.
However, sensible financial resolutions have come to the forefront for 2011, with almost 1 in 3 (31%) planning to reduce their financial outgoings or review their finances in the next six months. The pressure of the current economic difficulties and the forthcoming drop in government spending has had a profound impact on people’s decisions to make these changes in their lives.
The state of the housing market doesn’t appear to be a deterrent to plans, though – 10% of Brits still plan to move house in 2011. In particular, those aged 25-34 are keen to find a new home, with 22% saying they’re planning to move.
Despite 17% of Britons saying that their lifestyle changes are being prompted by a change in their employment situation, the survey found that only 2% aim to increase personal and/or family protection insurance, such as unemployment or critical illness cover.
Paul Stokes, HSBC’s head of financial planning, commented, “There’s a reassuring trend for people to make positive lifestyle changes in 2011, such as improving their health or reviewing their finances. Yet, despite the sobering effect of the sluggish economy, it’s a worry that Britons aren’t planning to protect those finances. It seems people are thinking for the short term rather than being canny about their futures.”
