After a summer of record breaking temperatures, new research from Sainsbury’s Bank has revealed the true cost of summer with UK adults spending an average of £726(1) to enjoy activities from BBQs to theme parks.
Top costs included going out for drinks (£108), new summer clothes (£96) and BBQs and picnics (£67). It seems the sunshine made the public make the most of the longer days with a quarter (25%) going on more day trips and a fifth (20%) spending more time visiting friends. Furthermore nearly a quarter (22%) chose to eat out more than usual at restaurants and cafes.
Holidays still a hit both at home and abroad
Despite the heatwave, the majority of holidaymakers still travelled abroad for their summer getaway. Nearly a third (30%) went on a foreign holiday, adding an average of £585 extra to their summer bill, with family and beach holidays being the most popular type of break in July and August(2). However, one in five adults (20%) chose to enjoy a staycation in the UK, spending an average of £165.
The cost of childcare
Childcare was another cost to factor into the family budget with nearly a quarter (23%) having to pay for childcare, such as babysitters or sports and summer clubs. More than a fifth (21%) took time off work to look after their kids and almost a third (32%) enlisted the help of family and friends.
Autumn audit
As summer comes to an end, it seems spending habits change with the weather. At the start of the autumn, over half (54%) of UK adults are planning on tightening their belts in the lead up to Christmas. Over two thirds of shoppers (67%) admit to not having a summer budget, which could have led to unplanned splurges.
As the weather gets cooler, there are other costs to consider as over a third (36%) of shoppers are planning to refresh their autumn and winter wardrobe. Consumers are also considering larger, yearly purchases as more than a quarter (26%) will be renewing their car insurance and 22% will be booking an MOT. Plus, more than one in ten (14%) will be taking out annual travel insurance. Holiday costs also have to be factored into the autumn for over half of the population (54%) prefer to get away in September and avoid the summer rush. (2)
Karen Hogg, Head of Insurance at Sainsbury’s Bank, says: “Autumn can be a good time to reflect on your finances and get them in order in the lead up to Christmas. Creating a budget for the remainder of the year is a great way to ensure you stick to spending what you can afford and save up in time for Christmas.
“Our research shows many consumers already have purchases on the horizon, such as insurance renewals, and by purchasing products such as home or car insurance from Sainsbury’s Bank you can earn additional Nectar points.”
By taking advantage of Sainsbury’s Bank’s Nectar offers(3) on insurance, you can double and even triple Nectar points on Sainsbury’s shopping which can help to maximise any returns from your spending in the lead up to Christmas, which for many is the pinnacle of the yearly spending peak. Once Christmas arrives you can then redeem your rewards in the most appropriate way such as money off your food shop to help stock the fridge for Santa’s arrival or cashing in your points for presents at stores such as Argos.
Sainsbury’s Bank provides some top tips for giving your finances an overhaul this Autumn:
• Review your bills and contracts: Many of us stick with the same contracts for our phones, utilities and insurance providers just because it’s easy. By taking the time to look at what else is on offer, you might be surprised to see how other companies stack up – especially if you’ve been with your provider for a long time. Take a moment this month to compare competitor offers and don’t be scared to switch for a saving, or to ask your current provider what else they can offer.
• Clearing clutter & making a few pounds: Undertake an autumn clean and boost your finances at the same time. You’ll be surprised how much you’ve accumulated over the past year or two. Go through your wardrobe, pull those unworn clothes or unused gifts out and sell them easily via a whole host of online auction or buy and sell sites.
• Plan ahead: If you’re planning family days out over the October half term or even Christmas, look out for vouchers and discount codes. Taking advantage of family tickets or two-for-one offers can make sure you’re not feeling the pinch when spending quality time with your loved ones. Don’t forget to check your rewards points balance on loyalty and charge or credit cards. You might have enough to redeem against some family treats.
• Review your weekly shopping bill: Sit down with your last few shopping receipts to find out where you can make small cutbacks. It’s also good to look at what you food you throw away on a regular basis. If it doesn’t get eaten, stop buying it.
• Spread out your spending: Consider spreading out major purchases over time so you don’t overload yourself – a worthwhile exercise is to distinguish the ‘nice to have’ items from the ‘essentials’ and prioritise accordingly.
Top summer costs for UK adults
Top summer spends |
Average (£) |
Travel |
£133 |
Going out for drinks |
£108 |
Summer clothes |
£96 |
Day trips (e.g zoo, seaside etc) |
£91 |
BBQ and picnic food and drink |
£67 |
Child entertainment |
£54 |
Festivals |
£52 |
Theme parks |
£51 |
Outdoor activities |
£41 |
Childcare |
£33 |
For further information, please contact:
Sainsbury’s Bank press office 0131 286 0010 / [email protected]
Notes to editor:
This press release is information for journalists only and is not intended to be a promotion to be acted upon by consumers.
Rates and information correct at date of issue.
Sainsbury's Bank car and home insurance is underwritten by a carefully selected range of insurers.
(1) Sainsbury’s Bank commissioned Opinium Research to survey 2,000 nationally representative UK adults aged 18+ between 5 and 7 June 2018. Opinium Research is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules)
(2) Sainsbury’s Bank commissioned Opinium Research to survey 2,000 nationally representative UK adults aged 18+ between 17 and 20 August 2018. 52,078,525 adults currently live in the UK (ONS). 12% of 52,078,525 = 6,249,423
(3) Double Nectar Points offer
1) Offer available to customers buying a new Sainsbury's Bank Car Insurance, Home Insurance, Pet Insurance, Life Insurance, Decreasing Life Insurance or Over 50s Life Insurance policy.
2) You need to tell us your Nectar card number when you apply, and use this card with each Sainsbury's purchase.
3) Double points begin on your policy’s cover start date. If you don’t tell us your Nectar card number until after your cover start date, double points will begin on the date you tell us.
4) Double points stop when the policy is cancelled or you stop paying premiums.
5) Each Nectar account can only collect points from one car, one home, one pet and one life insurance policy.
6) It’s only the base points you collect at Sainsbury's that are doubled. If you're taking part in the new Nectar trial, it's the points you get on new Nectar that are doubled. Bonus points won’t be doubled, nor will any points from Argos, Habitat, Sainsbury's Bank (including travel money purchases), Sainsbury's Energy or any other Sainsbury's service.
7) By the 10th of each month, you’ll get a bonus point award equal to the total of your qualifying points during the previous month, up to a maximum of 20,000 points.
8) Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd award the points from this offer.
9) No cash alternative is available. Sainsbury's Bank reserves the right to alter, cancel or withdraw this offer without notice.
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Sainsbury’s was the first major British supermarket to open a bank, commencing trading in February 1997. Benefiting from a fantastic, trusted brand that enables us to combine the shopping experience with personal finance, Sainsbury’s Bank provides a range of quality products including insurances, credit cards, savings and loans. Our proposition is to make shopping more rewarding by offering customers great products at fair prices, while consistently rewarding shoppers for their loyalty and being easy to do business with at all times. Our products consistently top best buy tables and regularly win awards for quality, price and service.
Sainsbury's Bank plc. Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Bank plc is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).