As a nation, we Brits might lean towards staying modest about our achievements. Whether it’s a promotion at work, the arrival of a first child or grandchild, or buying a house, we’re not always keen to brag about our biggest life successes.
In a recent study of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by TopCashback, more than half (55%) said they rarely – or never – talk about their big life achievements.
However, if there’s one thing we Brits are very proud of, it’s our money-saving triumphs. Over a third of people love to share their pride at finding a bargain with others, with 37% telling someone about it immediately or within that same day.
It’s TopCashback’s 20th birthday, and to celebrate this huge milestone, we’re championing our nation’s bargain hunters. Keep reading to find out just how much Brits love a bargain.
Why will Brits boast about bargains, but not major life events?
Keeping quiet about our personal milestones might come down to a reluctance to flaunt our big wins. Of the people asked, 17% said they don’t like to ‘show off’.
When it comes to life events related to finances (such as getting promoted at work), many Brits don’t feel comfortable opening up. In fact, 28% said that the only time they feel comfortable discussing money is when they’re talking about a bargain.
So what is it about bagging a bargain that we just can’t help but shout from the rooftops?
Getting a great deal is something that can bring feelings of joy and happiness. 26 per cent of people said they felt ‘lucky’ when they snapped up a great discount, 21% said they felt ‘thrilled’, and 11% even admitted to ‘smugness’.
Perhaps the most surprising finding of all – nearly two fifths (38%) said they experience a greater level of satisfaction from saving money than from spending it.
What types of savings do we brag about most?
The research revealed that the most common bargains Brits love to boast about are deals on clothes and shoes. 75 per cent said they liked to share details of fashion bargains with people in their circles.
Tech gadgets were the second most popular category at 69%, closely followed by flights and holidays at 64%. We also love to boast about bargains on groceries (35%), meals out (21%) and household bills (20%).
But as much as we love to tell others about our savings, we also have high standards for what counts as a proper deal. The research showed savings needed to be an average of 36% before Brits felt it worth shouting about.
A phenomenal discount on something expensive is the thing most likely to get people itching to tell others about the savings. Earning significant cashback and making big savings was the next top reason for showing off. Here at TopCashback, it’s no surprise this caught our attention…
How we help you bag a bargain
At TopCashback, our passion is helping our members save money. In the 20 years since we launched, our members have earned a total of over £1 billion in cashback.
And while we’re passionate about saving, we’re also firm believers that being on a budget shouldn’t mean cutting out things we enjoy. There are still ways to treat yourself to the finer things in life, while also saving money.
We know Brits are modest when it comes to personal achievements, but when there’s a bargain involved, we’re clearly quick to share the news.
Whether it’s a holiday, the weekly shop, or a new outfit, people take real pride in making their money go further. This research shows that saving well has become just as big a talking point as spending.
Adam Bullock
UK Director at TopCashback
When you shop with TopCashback, you’ll earn a portion of your spend back just for going through us. It’s totally free to join, and our average member saves £300 in cashback a year. Not already a member? Sign up using the button below and we’ll treat you to free £15 cashback.
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And the savings don't stop at our sign-up bonus. Whether you've been a TopCashback member for years or you've just signed up while reading this guide, you can currently bag a £35 cashback bonus for every friend you refer.
They'll get £10 cashback to get them started, meaning you can share that money-saving feeling with your nearest and dearest.
Learn how to become a savvy shopper with the Money Guides
Our Money Guides are here to help you save money on all the important things in life, and that ranges from car insurance to pumpkin spice lattes.
Whether you’re booking a holiday, doing your weekly food shop, or catching the latest release at the cinema, we’ve got all the money-saving tips you need.
Would you feel more comfortable boasting about a bargain than a big event in your life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.