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.
A new cash ISA has been introduced by the Alliance and Leicester, with an interest rate of six percent per annum and a minimum balance of just one pound.
The Easy ISA as it is called allows the usual maximum amount of GBP3,600 in each tax year, with management through either phone or internet. The offer is open to all consumers whether they are existing Alliance and Leicester customers or completely new to the building society.
The Easy ISA name is very apt and will hopefully bring more savers into ISAs where they have previously been put off. As an Alliance and Leicester spokesperson explained, a cash ISA is just like a normal savings account, the difference being that no tax is paid on the amount saved.
The Nationwide Building Society, in its latest results for July, has found that 20 percent of the adult population are not putting any savings aside.
They also found that the number of people saving on a regular basis also fell, down to 46 percent from 54 percent just three months ago. Two thirds of people believe they should be saving according to the Nationwide Building Society, though the key, as with most things, is to do something about it.
A spokesman from the Nationwide Building Society said that consumers appeared to be feeling the pressure being put on them by rising prices but also asked them to at least look at savings vehicles such as ISAs and Childrens Trust Funds. These are tax efficient and so can make a big difference.
