More than one in 10 Britons have used their horoscope to make financial decisions. Pauline McCallion finds out more

Almost half (48%) of Britons aged between 17 and 25-years-old check their horoscope on a weekly basis, compared to 2% of all people who check their credit report on a regular basis for any changes.

Luck was singled out as the biggest determining factor in their current financial situations by 17% of 36 to 45-year-olds. Consumers aged over 60, on the other hand, seem to be much more sensible, with 10% attributing their financial position to their bank manager’s advice.

The research by CreditExpert, a service from credit reference agency, Experian, exposed Northern Irish consumers as the most likely to reach for the stars, with a third (32%) basing important financial decisions on their horoscope. Scots tend to go for the more rational approach, however – over a fifth (22%) look to their bank manager for financial advice, as opposed to Russell Grant or Mystic Meg.

Jim Hodgkins, managing director of CreditExpert.co.uk, points out that while many things in life are down to luck, your finances should not be one of them. He adds: “Important financial decisions should be based on fact and keeping yourself up-to-date with your current financial status is a crucial element of this.

“Keeping on top of your finances and being aware of your credit status is essential in order to ensure your credit history and financial borrowing power remain intact and healthy.”

Despite this warning, CreditExpert has outlined the financial behaviour it believes applies to each star sign’s character traits. This includes a lack of interest by Pisceans, rate-tart tendencies for Geminis and absentmindedness on the part of Sagittarians.