The National Consumer Agency Recession Omnibus NCA ConsumerValue Survey February 2009 Prepared by

2  A nationally representative telephone sample of 1,000 adults aged 18 years or older was used. Quotas were applied across gender, age, social class and region to ensure the sample is fully representative. A sample of 1000 provides a sufficient base to be able to conduct statistically robust sub-group analysis across age ranges, social class and region.  Fieldwork was conducted between the 23rd to 26th February, this short document outlines the findings of the research conducted. Methodology

3 Profile of Sample Male (50) Female (50) %% (Base: All Adults 18+) GenderAgeSocial classRegion (14) (19) (19) (16) (13) 65+ (15) ABC1 (39) C2DE (51) F (10) Dublin (29) Rest of Leinster (29) Munster (28) Conn/ Ulster (18) () = National population CS0 2006

MAIN FINDINGS

5 1 in 2 are Finding it Difficult to make Ends Meet “In the past year I am finding it harder to make ends meet” MaleFemale Agree Strongly (5) 40%37%38%35%41%43%42%32% (4)12%11% 10%9%15%17%7% Neither/nor19%21%18%23%22%16%18%22% (2)9%11%14%11%12%9%6%8% Disagree strongly (1) 20% 19%21%16%17% 31% Agree strongly (5) (4) Neither/nor (2) Disagree strongly (1) (Base: All Adults 18+) % Total 50% 30%

6 Almost 4 in 5 are more Concerned about their Financial Future as a Result of the Recession “In light of the recession I am more concerned about my future financial situation” MaleFemale Agree Strongly (5) 64%67%70%68%70%64%62%55% (4)13%14%7%14% 11%16%17% Neither/nor10%8%11%9%5%8%11%14% (2)3%2% 5% 3%1% Disagree strongly (1) 10%9%10%7%6%12%8%13% Agree strongly (5) (4) Neither/nor (2) Disagree strongly (1) (Base: All Adults 18+) % Total 78% 12%

7 Just under 3 in 5 have Changed their Spending Ways as a Result of the Recession “The recession hasn't hit me financially but I have changed my spending ways” MaleFemale Agree Strongly (5) 42% 40%35%36%47%49% (4)15% 14%16%19%15%13%11% Neither/nor14%18%11%19%15%16% 18% (2)8% 10%12%5%7%9%5% Disagree strongly (1) 21%17%25%18%25%15%13%17% Agree strongly (5) (4) Neither/nor (2) Disagree strongly (1) (Base: All Adults 18+) % Total 57% 27%

8 Almost 1 in Year Old’s Have Begun to Save More in the Past Six Months “I have started to save more money in the past six months” MaleFemale Agree Strongly (5) 26%25%32%25%23%24%21%26% (4)9%10%15%9%10%7%10%5% Neither/nor12%13%12%16%15%11%14%8% (2)14%11%8%12%14%13%16%14% Disagree strongly (1) 39%41%33%38% 45%39%47% Agree strongly (5) (4) Neither/nor (2) Disagree strongly (1) (Base: All Adults 18+) % Total 34% 53%

9 Over 1 in 3 are Still Spending as Much as They Were This Time Last Year “I am spending as much as I did this time last year” MaleFemale Agree Strongly (5) 30%26%21%27% 35%25%34% (4)10%8%6%7%12%8%14%7% Neither/nor14%12% 8%9%12%21% (2)15%14%24%19%14%9% 8% Disagree strongly (1) 31%40%37%39%38%36%31%30% Agree strongly (5) (4) Neither/nor (2) Disagree strongly (1) (Base: All Adults 18+) % Total 37% 50%

10 3 in 5 Claim to have Cut Back on their Spending Due to the Recession “Due to the recession I have cut back on my spending” MaleFemale Agree Strongly (5) 50%47%53% 57%46%44%34% (4)13%14%9%13%16%15%11%15% Neither/nor14% 9%12%10%12%24%23% (2)8% 10% 6% 5%9% Disagree strongly (1) 15%17%19%12% 21%16%19% Agree strongly (5) (4) Neither/nor (2) Disagree strongly (1) (Base: All Adults 18+) % Total 61% 24%

11 2 in 5 Claim That They Are Finding it Difficult to Pay for Their Household Expenses – I TotalMaleFemale %% Pay my household energy bills Pay for the running of my car Pay for health and medical expenses Pay for groceries Meet my loan repayments Meet my mortgage repayments/rent None of these Finding it difficult to.... (Base: All Adults 18+)

12 Over 2 in 5 aren't finding it Difficult to Pay for their Household Expenses – II Finding it difficult to.... Pay my household energy bills Pay for the running of my car Pay for health and medical expenses Pay for groceries Meet my loan repayments Meet my mortgage repayments/rent None of these Total %% %% (Base: All Adults 18+)

13 Just Under 2 in 3 are Using their Mobiles as Normal More %% (Base: All Adults 18+) Changed Grocery Shopping Habits Using Mobile Phone Buying Household Appliances The same Less Never did it Result of economic downturn – I

14 Almost 3 in 5 Have Cut Back on Their Spending on Clothes & Shoes More %% (Base: All Adults 18+) Socialising Buying Clothes, Shoes, Going to Hair Salon/Beauticians The same Less Never did it Result of economic downturn – II

15 Just Under 1 in 2 Never Buy Online More %% (Base: All Adults 18+) Buying Items Online Taking Taxis Going Abroad on Holidays The same Less Never did it Result of economic downturn – III

16 1 in 2 Men and Those Aged 65+ are Likely to be Buying Food at Lunch Time Like They Always Did More %% (Base: All Adults 18+) Buying Food at Lunch Time Going to the Cinema, Sports Events, Concert Managing Central Heating The same Less Never did it Result of economic downturn – IV

17 3 in Year Olds are Going Away on Weekend Breaks Less as a Result of the Economic Downturn More % (Base: All Adults 18+) Going Away on Weekend Breaks Using Your Credit Card The same Less Never did it Result of economic downturn – V

18 Buying a House Has Been Put on Hold for 3 in Year Olds Postponing Events MaleFemale Undertaking Home Improvements 34%38%32%41%46%42%30%19% Going on Holiday 33%34%37%42%43%28%27%19% Changing Your Car 29% 24%38%36%32%23%13% Buying a House 17%16%24%30%16%12%10%- Getting Married 9%8%17%16%10%2%4%- None of These 41% 42%31% 40%47%65% (Base: All Adults 18+) Undertaking Home Improvements Going on Holiday Changing Your Car Buying a House Getting Married None of These Total %

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