Almost one third of UK adults experience pressure to spend more than they can afford, new research reveals.
Research from NerdWallet UK found that 32 percent of adults are pressured to spend more than they can afford with millennials, men and high earners most likely to fall into debt.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults found that millennials are least likely to understand their debt levels, leading to them feeling “worried”, “scared”, “hopeless” and “confused”, while more than one-third (36 percent) of men said that they feel pressure to exceed a comfortable spending limit.
Adults between the ages of 25 and 44 are the most likely to fund their lifestyle using credit cards, overdrafts or personal loans, compared with other age groups.
Almost 10 percent of these respondents said they fund their lifestyle using debt ‘very often’, compared with an average of four percent across all age groups.
Amy Knight, spokesperson at NerdWallet UK, said: “There seems to be a worrying trend when it comes to consumers feeling pressured to overspend and live beyond their means. Debt worries are universal, which is why everyone, no matter their background or level of income, should take steps to build their financial fitness.
“There is a perception that budgeting can be difficult, but it’s an important project for all of us to undertake, in order to manage our outgoings and avoid expensive debt. This is especially true during times when economic factors outside our control are putting many households under greater financial pressure.
“Getting to grips with their spending behaviours and setting limits can help individuals and families to weather the ongoing cost of living and successfully reach their financial goals, no matter what those might be.”
The data from the survey suggests higher earners may be at greatest risk of falling into larger debt because they feel under the most pressure to spend more than they earn.
Those earning above the median UK salary of £34,963 may be more likely to use debt to fund their lifestyle, with close to one-quarter (23 percent) of those earning £40,000 per year or more saying they find themselves in debt ‘sometimes’, ‘somewhat often’ or ‘very often’.
A quarter of those earning £60,000 or more say they fund their lifestyle using credit cards ‘very often’ or ‘somewhat’ often. This is compared to 21 percent of those earning between £40,000 and £60,000 and only 13 percent of those earning between £20,000 and £40,000.
