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Relationships: great for the purse strings!

Tahmina Mannan
Written By:
Tahmina Mannan
Posted:
Updated:
17/07/2012

Being in a relationship seems to be good for the purse strings according to a new report by the National Savings & Investments.

Britons in relationships save around £800 more each year as a result of their partner’s influence, according to NS&I’s latest savings survey.

For some Britons, their partner’s influence has a particularly dramatic effect, with a fifth saving at least £200 more per month, more than £2,400 over the course of a year.

While 57% of couples are motivating each other to save more, there remains some conflicting views over who controls the finances.

John Prout, NS&I Director, said: “It is good to see that people in relationships are motivating one another to save significant sums of money.”

“As well as helping each other save towards goals and providing more security in difficult times, these savings will make a difference for the bigger financial milestones that come during a relationship, like buying a home, or saving for life in retirement.”

Despite 47% of the women from the survey thinking that they are in charge of the finances, only 27% of men agree and a significant number say that they are paying for most joint items from their own finances, from counc8il taxes to the weekly shop.

However the survey data reveals that relationships are having the biggest effect on men’s finances, with men saving an average of £85 more each month due to their partner’s influence, compared to a £50 increase for women.

NS&I say that the differing views on who spends the most in a relationship could be a result of not talking about savings in the early stages of relationships.

 

While only 3% of Britons say that discussing shared finances is taboo, people tend to a wait a long time to talk about savings. The most common moment for partners to first discuss savings is when they move in together and a further 11% wait until buying property together.

John Prout, NS&I Director, continued “Many couples will be making purchases like holidays relatively soon into their relationships. Along with costs like eating out, this can start to add up and it is a good idea to talk about setting money aside to fund these outgoings.”

“Getting over the hurdle of discussing finances will make financial planning easier. If people are successfully saving hundreds of pounds more each year, think how much could be achieved if people broached the conversation earlier on in their relationships?”

Older generations who have learned from experience would also advise their children not to fall into this trap of failing to talk about money.

Over a third of people aged 65+ believe that savings should be discussed straight away in a relationship, compared to just 6% of people aged 16-24.