A recent Legal and General survey has shown that the Welsh are the most likely to have money left at the end of the month after covering bills and essential payments.
Two thirds of people in Wales had money left over, compared with a national average of 53 percent and a surprising 43 percent in London. These findings really turn the general understanding of where the money is on its head. Although the cost of living in London is high it has always been thought that wages covered this difference with some to spare, but perhaps not.
A Legal and General spokesman felt the findings should prompt consumers to start putting some money aside into a savings account or something similar. Having disposable income does not mean it has to be spent straight away, saving some can make a massive difference to the future.
The Bank of Scotland has a fantastic opportunity for first time buyers saving a deposit for their first home – doubled up savings.
The way this works is that savers who regularly deposit money into a Bank of Scotland savings account, up to a maximum amount saved of GBP5,000, will have the balance matched by the home builder Persimmon. The one proviso is that this only happens if the savings are used as a deposit on a new house.
A spokesman from the housebuilder saw it as making a real difference for first time buyers, though they would still need a considerable amount saved elsewhere in order to make the 25 percent minimum deposit most mortgage providers require. The Bank of Scotland are also in favour of the scheme as they want to help home buyers as much as they can.
According to the Legal and General MoneyMood survey, the people of the UK are changing their habits regarding saving.
Compared with this time last year there are around 6 percent more people saving money now. It appears that consumers are, generally, not spending as much of their money as they once were, preferring instead to build up a buffer should they need the cash for more important things in the future. People are still going out and spending their money, just not quite as much as they used to be.
As a Legal and General savings spokeswoman said, it is good that consumers are managing to change their habits, ensuring they have some money put to one side whilst still being able to enjoy themselves.
