New year's resolutions are usually about health, but this year has seen a focus on wealth
Fear has pushed personal finance to the top of most people?s priorities when it comes to new year's resolutions for 2012, with worries about wealth ? or the lack of it ? displacing concerns about health.
That?s the conclusion of separate surveys of 5,000 people by comparison websites Gocompare.com and moneysupermarket.com. Rising unemployment, soaring debts and shrinking pension savings have forced more of us to worry about the future.
Even if the stock market maintains its traditional ?Santa rally?, it looks as if the FTSE 100 will end the year nearly 8pc lower than it began. Nor has residential property ? the asset millions of homeowners trust above all others ? been spared from the gloom, with house price declines across most regions in 2011 and surveyors predicting further falls in 2012.
So perhaps it should be no surprise that half those questioned about new year's resolutions said sorting out their finances was the priority for 2012. John Miles, a director of Gocompare.com, commented: ?Traditionally, New Year is a time to reflect on the changes we want, or need, to make in our lives. Of those people making financial resolutions, one in four are looking to save money on outgoings.?
More surprisingly, two thirds of those questioned identified gym membership fees as an unnecessary expense and aim to save money by cancelling next year. James Clarke of MoneySupermarket.com said: ?Despite the indulgence of Christmas it seems gym membership is not high on the priority list for a New Year health kick as Brits look to cut costs. Joining a gym can be a huge financial commitment, and with many gym-goers admitting to rarely using their membership, it?s important to consider whether their hard earned cash can be used more effectively.?
Jogging around the local park is certainly cheaper and offers fresh air that is often absent in many gyms. But, as I discovered when I broke my leg last year, trying to keep fit can damage your health. Let?s hope 2012 does not prove as grim as most people expect and that next year brings pleasant surprises for Britain?s health and wealth.
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