Standard Life Reveals Commitment Peak Begins At 35 For Average Person In The UK
 

 
Released on:  September 08, 2011, 1:35 pm
  Author: 
           Standard Life
Industry: 
 
Financial  
Standard Life has published 'Your Commitments, Your Future',
  a study developed with psychologist Professor Janet Reibstein into the
  nature of commitment. It reveals that financial and emotional
  commitments peak between 35-44 years of age when people spend on
  average £1,160 a month on financial commitments and think about them
for 45 minutes every day. 
The research reveals that during a lifetime, the average person spends £914 a month
  on financial commitments and 37 minutes thinking about them everyday. In contrast,
  they spend £87 a month on emotional commitments, thinking about them for 2 hours, 18
  minutes every day. 
According to the Standard Life study there are three core commitment life stages
  with transition phases in between:
- Commitment Sleepwalkers (18-24) who have a smaller amount of financial and
  personal relationship commitments. Their regular financial commitments amount to
  just £458 a month. They spend the least amount of time thinking about their finances
  so are at risk of overlooking the long term cumulative affects of these costs.
- The Fully Committed (35-44) who are at the peak of their regular financial
  commitments, spending an average of £1,160 each month and likely to be paying a
  mortgage, looking after a child and paying off any debt accrued in earlier life. 
  
  - Commitment Slowdowns (55+) who are starting to become less financially and
  emotionally committed. They are spending £818 on their commitments each month,
  almost £100 less that the average. 
Commenting on the research findings, Professor Reibstein said: "'Your Commitments,
  Your Future' shows a discrepancy in how much attention we devote to our financial
  and emotional commitments. We spend over two hours a day thinking about emotional
  commitments, but just 37 minutes on our financial commitments. 
"People consider financial commitments as something abstract, separate to their
  emotional life. But our finances underpin our most important relationships and often
  our ability to achieve our future goals. The Standard Life report makes it clear how
  vital it is for people to engage with their finances, their personal relationships
  and future aspirations as one single entity."
Standard Life's John Lawson added: "'Your Commitments, Your Future' breaks our
  commitments down into life stages, giving a clear picture of how our commitments
  change throughout our life. This understanding can help substantially with planning
  our personal finances so that we can feel confident about the future and achieve our
  goals. It’s clear that financial commitments can support our relationships - they
  underpin them. If people were to dedicate more time to their long term financial
  planning, they wouldn’t just be better off financially, they’re likely to be better
  off all round."
The full 'Your Commitments, Your Future' report is available at    www.knowyourcommitments.co.uk where people can also compare their financial and
  emotional commitment profile by using an interactive tool and watch Professor
Reibstein analysing commitment in more detail.
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
  - All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was
  2016 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th - 20th June 2011. The survey was
  carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK
  adults (aged 18+).
  - Methodology: This survey has been conducted using an online interview administered
  by members of the YouGov Plc GB panel of 300,000+ individuals who have agreed to
  take part in surveys. 
About Standard Life:
  Standard Life is a leading long term savings and investments company headquartered
  in Edinburgh and operating internationally. Established in 1825, Standard Life
  provides life assurance, annuities, life insurance, savings products such as a stock
  and shares ISA, investment bonds, tax efficiencies, pension products such as a self
  invested personal pension, financial education and investment management to around 6
  million customers worldwide.
  
PR Contact:
  Nicki Lundy 
  Standard Life
  Ground Floor
  Caledonian Exchange
  19a Canning Street
  Edinburgh
  EH3 8EG
  0131 245 2737
  www.standardlife.co.uk
               
              
                              
              
 
 
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