Men In The Red
Wednesday 30th March 2011: New research out today reveals that 15 per cent of men delay paying bills for over two months on average – with almost a million men waiting over four months before parting with their money(1).
The study(2), by Sheilas’ Wheels home insurance, reveals that two out of five of those polled (40 per cent) admit that they put work before home life. As a result, Brits put off “life admin” tasks such as making doctors’ or dental appointments and odd jobs around the home for up to 76 weeks (equating to just under a year and a half) on average. One in 12 men (8 per cent) put back tasks for over two years.
Women are more likely to pay their bills on time with 46 per cent of men receiving at least one final demand for payment compared to 39 per cent of women. A further 17 per cent of men always wait until they receive a final reminder before paying a bill.
Council tax is the top bill that both men and women put off paying with 16 per cent of respondents failing to pay this on time, followed by phone bills (14 per cent) and electricity (13 per cent).
Proving that female multi-taskers are more than just a stereotype, women also put their health first with the average female booking a doctors’ or hospital appointment within 55 days of needing one. Men on the other hand leave it up to 69 days (10 weeks) on average.
Dental appointments were another task left on the to do list with Brits having a check up just every 22 months on average. One in 10 (10 per cent) of those polled never visit the dentist.
Men have their eye off the ball when it comes to visiting the opticians, waiting 191 days on average from the point of needing an appointment to actually getting around to booking one. This is compared to women’s slightly less short-sighted 177 days.
DIY around the home is another task that slips down our list of priorities, with Brits leaving DIY jobs 43 weeks on average. The top excuse used by Brits for not ticking these odd jobs off the to do list is “I’ll do it at the weekend” (37 per cent), followed by “I’ll do it tomorrow” and “I don’t have time” (35 per cent each).
Jacky Brown, from Sheilas’ Wheels, comments: “It’s no surprise to us ladies that women are better at juggling work as well as jobs around the home, but it is interesting to see how much men actually put off – especially when it comes to their health.
“Putting off everyday tasks can be to the detriment of your health, family life and even home. A small job can turn into a big one when not dealt with straight away. Don’t let your everyday to do list run away from you. Take charge and get the job done.”
Regional Breakdown
- When it comes to bills, those polled in the North West were the worst culprits for late payment leaving it 24 days on average – this is compared to the more money-savy Welsh who pay up within 13 days
- Those in Yorkshire are most likely to put their health top of their priorities list, leaving 32 days between needing a doctors appointment to actually booking one – this is compared to the less health-conscious East Midlands and those in the East of England (leaving is 94 and 85 days respectively)
- DIY is not high up on anyone’s to do list, or so it seems. However, those in the North East are one step ahead leaving jobs around the home up to 25 weeks compared to those in the South East leaving it 52 weeks (or a full year!) on average
- Those polled in the West Midlands are the best with bills with 59 per cent never having received a final demand – next money-savvy respondents were the Welsh (51 per cent) and the Scottish (50 per cent)
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Notes to Editors:
(1) 946,268 (4 per cent of over 18 make population, 23,656,700). Source: Office of National Statistics, Mid-2009 Population Estimates: United Kingdom; estimated resident population by single year of age and the independent online research company Fly Research who surveyed 1,060 men and women from across the UK, aged 18 and over, between the 11th and 14th March 2011.Wednesday 30th March 2011: New research out today reveals that 15 per cent of men delay paying bills for over two months on average – with almost a million men waiting over four months before parting with their money(1).
