Three in four Irish women in their twenties prefer to pay their own way on dates, a survey revealed today.
Bank of Ireland's online study of 600 male and female 22 to 28-year-olds found a sensible approach to personal saving and spending despite public perceptions to the contrary.
The research discovered more than half of the group most resented spending €158 a year on the RTE TV licence fee (57 per cent) while 50 per cent cribbed about shelling out for GP costs.
The research was carried out during June by W5 Marketing Intelligence to coincide with Bank of Ireland's Advice Week from July 23-27th.
In the survey, 78 per cent of women believe it is not necessary for men to pay for social costs on dates. It also found 61 per cent of females worry regularly about money compared with only 41 per cent of males.
Women are more inclined to budget than men with 53 per cent budgeting on a regular basis while 89 per cent use family and friends as a means to get financial advice.
University College Dublin social psychologist Kenneth McKenzie said most people have sown their wild oats by the time they reach 25 and then begin to focus on long-term goals like buying a house, marriage and children.
"In this sense, prolonged adolescence is over and we now want to get fit for life's responsibilities," he added.
Bank of Ireland financial advisor Elena McGiveny (25) said: "We tend to be dubbed the spendthrift generation but we actually are aware of the importance of being financially responsible.
"However we still want to have fun. Going out, enjoying holidays, having money for clothes or pampering are all still a must-have but we understand that budgeting plays a role if we are to enjoy all these things guilt free."
The survey also found 42 per cent believed the goal is to be fitter and healthier in the future.
- 75 per cent do not overspend in order to keep up with the latest fashion
- 22 to 28-year-old men spend €110 on average per month on betting on the outcomes of sports games
- 64 per cent claim what their partner earns doesn't bother them
- 83 per cent do not expect financial help from their parents
- 54 per cent do not have all their income spent by the time their next pay day comes along;
- 39 per cent of people agreed spending money makes them feel better.
PA