9 out of 10 Brits believe it is important to save according to a study carried out by the Nationwide Building Society.
Although it is good to see so many people recognising the importance of having a fund of money to call upon should it be needed only around 55 percent of people actually put money aside on a regular basis. Approximately 25 percent of people save money occasionally whilst almost 20 percent do not have savings at all.
This situation is not through choice in many instances though,as a Nationwide Building Society spokesman explained. With the cost of simply paying bills, buying food and running a car stampeding ever higher it becomes financially impossible for many people to save regularly, if at all. This is a shame since some of the best savings rates for many years are now available to customers.
See how Nationwide Building Society savings accounts compare at Moneygossip.co.uk
The Abbey National has announced a reduction in the interest rates offered on several of its savings accounts, with cuts of 0.25 percent to match the recent base rate cut by the Bank of England.
Commencing on 1 May all Abbey National savings accounts with the exception of the eSaver Direct, Super 50 Plus and 50 Plus Saver will have the 0.25 percent cut on their rates. These ones mentioned will keep their rates as they were.
The Abbey National savings and investments director said that although the rates had been reduced on their accounts it was important to have a savings plan in place, especially in the current economic climate. It is a very competitive market and Abbey are committed to doing the best for their customers.
Although we are always told that saving should be one of the first things we do the latest survey results from the Nationwide Building Society show that only a quarter of us are ranking it highly.
The main reason for this at the moment has to be the cost of living, which is changing the focus of the population towards covering the rising costs of bills rather than saving. This is supported by an aspect of the Nationwide Building Society study that showed how over 60 percent of people felt they were not saving enough.
In real terms this is the time when people should save even harder than usual. Looking at an uncertain future consumers really need to be building up a resource they can call upon should they face unexpected costs. The Nationwide Building Society, along with most other financial institutions, suggests having enough cash to manage for around three months.