Savings 'covering daily expenses'

Jan 30 2013

Many people regularly dip into their savings just to cover everyday living expenses, according to research by a bank.

Half of savers in Scotland (49%) routinely access their savings accounts throughout the year.

Paying for a holiday is one of the main reasons for raiding the piggy bank, while unexpected outgoings and day-to-day expenses are also gobbling up savers' rainy-day cash.

Financial experts blame prolonged weak earnings growth and squeezed spending power for the apparent strain on the nation's wallets.

As savings are eaten up, some people could be exposed if their circumstances change for the worse.

The figures are contained in the Bank of Scotland Savings Index, a new quarterly survey tracking the savings habits of people in Scotland.

A large number of people rely on their savings to bridge the gap between the rising cost of living and flat incomes, the survey suggests.

While 49% routinely access savings when money runs tight, another one in nine have to do so every month.

Around one in six (15%) dip in every couple of months and around one in four (23%) raid their account a couple of times a year, the survey suggests.

The most popular reason for using savings is to pay for a holiday, with over a quarter doing so. Around a fifth (22%) use their savings to cover unexpected outgoings such as emergency household repairs or car maintenance. One in six use their funds to cover day-to-day living expenses.