According to Legal and General research, the amount of people in the UK who were in a 'money saving mood' at the end of January was up by 10% compared to the same period last year.
The 'MoneyMood' survey also found that the desire to spend was much less than the previous years results. Those respondents who were in 'the mood to save' grouping, spent on average £509 more during December 2004 than they would in a normal month. They were asked how much they spent on Christmas items including presents, food and drink. The figure was 40% more than this group expected to spend during this time. Those in the 'mood to spend' group were much closer to estimating their Christmas outgoings, and overspent by £78 on average, just 7% more than predicted.
Our view
Of course they are better. The stockmarket is up and interest rates are stable - both low risk and higher risk investors are feeling more secure.