2015 starts off with better news for savers and investors – (make the most of it!)

Calum Bennie
By Calum Bennie Posted in Scottish Friendly news and views
February 24th, 2015

As you will probably have noticed, the majority of news coverage these days is pretty much doom and gloom, however for budding savers and investors at least, 2015 seems to be have better news.

There is little in life so depressing as watching your salary disappear from your bank account the moment after it arrives, or having the dreaded panic when money runs out before the end of every month and yet again you are unable to save anything for your future.

So it’s nice once in a while to write about some good news!

This week it was reported that low inflation combined with falling unemployment has helped to propel the growth of the economy, essentially leaving us with more money in our pockets at the end of every month.

Over the last year the Scottish Friendly ‘Disposable Income Index’ has continued to track the amount of money people have left over each month after bills and essentials have been paid for and has found that disposable incomes in the UK have now risen by five per cent in the last year.

According to the index, people now have an average of 9.7 per cent of their salary left over each month after bills and essentials have been paid for, compared to 5.2 per cent this time last year, this is surely something to celebrate!

Another excuse to rejoice is that the index also found there has been a seven per cent rise in those contributing to savings or investments each month, meaning that approximately 30.5 million people across the UK are now saving or investing monthly!

The amount people are squirreling away has doubled too rising from £72 a month per person on average in 2014 to £140 in 2015 – a jump of nearly 95 per cent – which means that the nation is currently putting aside in the region of £42.7bn each month. (Hurrah!)

Before we get too excited though, it’s important that households do not waste this opportunity.

Yes, we agree, the temptation will be to splurge on spending, (and you should treat yourself) but after years of austerity and low wages, there is now a great opportunity for people to replenish their savings and investments and we really do implore you to do so.







The information provided in this article was accurate at the time of publishing and should be read in the context of the date it was published. Views in this article are those of the author alone and do not necessarily represent the view of Scottish Friendly. No advice has been provided by Scottish Friendly. If you are in any doubt as to whether a savings or investment plan is suitable for you, you should contact a financial adviser for advice. If you do not have a financial adviser, you can get details of local financial advisers by visiting www.unbiased.co.uk. Advisers may charge for providing such advice and should confirm any cost beforehand.