One in three Brits admit they are ‘tight’, a study has revealed. Millions of Brits are cutting corners financially by refusing to tip restaurant staff, only heating one room – and even sneaking drinks in to pubs.
Nearly three quarters of the 2,000 people polled said they had revised their expenditure for the better over the last 12 months amid the recent economic downturn.
But incredibly, one in ten may have gone a step too far by taking clothes back they have already worn.
A mercenary 17% have even refused to contribute to a colleague’s birthday fund, while over a quarter make an effort to drive slowly in a bid to preserve petrol.
Tim Orton, Product Director for Aviva Pensions and Investments, who commissioned the study, said:
”What this research shows us is that many people are already making smart moves to cut their monthly expenditure, and this can only be seen as a good thing, especially if they are saving or investing this ‘extra’ money elsewhere.
”What’s really important is that people have access to the best information, through product provider and financial advisers, to make the most of this money.
”Whatever their ultimate goals, we want people to get into the habit of saving something, however small, now so that they can look after their family in the future or enjoy a comfortable retirement.”
The poll also revealed that 25% of people are so resourceful they re-use old cereal boxes and jam jars, and one in ten even use teabags more than once.
A crafty 13% of thrifty Brits have snuck a bottle of wine in to a theater or pub rather than pay sky high prices, and one in five of us would happily scrabble on the floor if we saw a one pence coin.
More common signs of being frugal included saving wrapping paper from presents, parking further away from shops to avoid a parking charge and using coupons or vouchers.
Not surprisingly then 56% of those polled said they got ‘a buzz’ when finding a good ‘money off’ deal.
But 36% said they were happy to be called a penny-pincher and 28% are frequently called tight by their friends and family. Of those, 26% found the term ‘tight’ insulting, but a more laidback 35% said they don’t take it seriously.
A staggering eight in ten of the 2000 adults polled felt that if people were more conscious of their spending habits and better at watching the pennies they wouldn’t be in such a financial mess.
A third of adults have set up a direct debit to ensure they put something away every month, with the typical saver setting aside £144 each month.
Aviva‘s Tim Orton added:
”There is a significant difference between being tight and being careful with money.
”We all want to stretch our money as far as possible of course, so it’s highly advisable to keep an eye on our spending habits and make adjustments where necessary.
”But being described as tight suggests we are lacking in generosity which nobody wants to be accused of.
”Some of the things on the list are perfectly valid ways to save money. If you choose to look for good deals and money off coupons that would suggest you are savvy and not ‘tight’ or mean with your money.”
TIGHT TRAITS
1. Saving coupons / using vouchers
2. Making your own lunches to take to work
3. Only boiling enough water for cups of tea and coffee you’re making
4. Parking on a road further away from the shops so you don’t have to pay
5. Refusing to leave a tip
6. Only heating rooms you use
7. Using internet/phone apps to find cheapest place to buy items
8. Shaking the end of a petrol pump so you don’t leave any in the hose
9. Saving used wrapping paper to re-wrap presents
10. Driving slower to preserve petrol
11. Keeping/reusing old cartons/ jam jars etc. / cereal boxes
12. Used a calculator (or phone) on my calculator in a restaurant to work out the bill
13. Scrabbling on the floor for a dropped penny coin
14. Sharing bath water/ having a shower rather than a bath
15. Not contributing to a colleague’s birthday present
16. Filling up the car with half a tank of petrol as it’s economical
17. Save dish/ bath water to use on the garden
18. Making birthday cards/ presents
19. Sneaking your own bottle of wine into the theater / pub
20. Posting parcels/ Christmas/ Birthday cards through work
21. Re-using teabags
22. Returned clothes I have worn
23. Demanding 5p or 10p change from the person you sent to buy your lunch
24. None of the above
25. Keeping cling-film to use again
26. Buying the last round in a large group safe in the knowledge you won’t have to get a second one in
27. Asking for petrol money on a journey you would be doing anyway
28. Leaving the pub before it’s your turn to buy a round
29. Saying ‘ I don’t want to break into a twenty’ so someone else says I’ll get these’
30. Rounding up people’s change in your favour
