Report: Over 50s'

Spending Power

How do you feel about your money situation?
38% of our respondents thought their money situation was good at present. They have one or several pensions (53%), a paid off mortgage (31%) and savings. (30%)
Over 50s’ believed they would be in financial trouble if they only had a state pension, so they classed themselves as lucky to have a private pension.
Even though 45% thought they managed their money situation quite well, they have a healthy pension and a paid off mortgage, more money would always be nice.
23% agreed that the annual increases (taxes) are very high.

How would you compare your money situation to 25 years ago? How does that make you feel?
43% says to be better off now, compared with their financial situation 25 years ago. Most respondents were working and had a big family to take care of, but now they are with their partner or single and spent more money on extras such as holidays (25%).
Everyday expenses were considerably less before then they are now.
16% admitted things were much easier then and wouldn’t want to bring up four kids now. However 20% said its easier now than it used to be, for example buying shoes for the kids could be a problem, but are more affordable now.

How do you spend your money?
Over 50s’ like to spend their money on their family, (children and grandchildren 66%) and on their leisure pursuits.
33% spend most of their money on bills for gas, electricity, the car and home.
Holidays and traveling (41%) are the favourite way to spend money for this age group.
Disposable income is spent mainly on extra clothes, holidays, personal care, sports and other non essentials.
25% admits that they like to spend. If they have the money, they like to spend it.

Do you spend more or less then you used to? Why?
Almost all of the respondents (80%) spend more then they used to, simply because they have more income than now than they used to.
Most of the respondents like to spend their money on other people such as family and friends. ‘At our age you got to spend more, you can’t take it with you.’

Health

How do you feel about your health?
86% of our respondents feel good about their health. Keeping slim is important and therefore they like to visit the gym. Health is also important; fighting off old age and maintaining good physical health is mentioned very often.
24% mentioned that their health could be better; certain pressures do make them feel stressed.

Do you have health insurance or private healthcare? Why / why not?
38% think having private healthcare is a must. Private healthcare gives them the security of seeing a doctor quickly, there are no long waiting lists and there is more attention to specific things such as cancer or bypass operations.
However, private healthcare is very expensive and not affordable for 50% of the respondents. The cost for private medical care sky rocketed for people over 80 and many were unable to afford it.
12% have health insurance because it is not as expensive as private healthcare and it makes them feel safe and secure when necessary.

What do you want from healthcare now and in the future?
One of the most important things about healthcare now and in the future is shorter waiting lists. 47% want to be able to see a specialist or doctor as quickly as possible.
18% would like to have more regular check ups, believing that it would help save money in the long run.
Someone who cares (12%), to have a choice (6%), and taxes that cover more of the costs of healthcare (17%) were mentioned as aspects they would like to see added to public healthcare.

How do you feel about the NHS?
The NHS is doing well, according to 60% of our respondents. Many of the respondents rarely use the NHS except in emergency situations, which they found good.
18% talked about having an average experience with the NHS, and one respondent called the NHS an ‘unefficient, political football’.
A few of the over 50s wished there could be some middle ground between the NHS and private healthcare, in case some extra help was needed.

Leisure

What do you enjoy to do in your leisure time?
Our poll revealed that leisure time is essential for the majority of people over the age of 50. Going to the gym and participating in different kinds of sport such as cycling, walking and golf is mentioned by 44%.
Traveling and taking a holiday is a good way to spend time, according to 33%. Europe, Australia, America and parts of Asia are popular places to go to.
33% however, like to be with their family, grandchildren and friends during their leisure time.
Other ways to spend leisure time are eating out (22%), reading (22%), television (17%) and gardening (11%).

What things are important to you in life and why?
An overwhelming 72% finds family the most important thing in life. Family is really important, making them feel fulfilled in life.
Over 50s’ want to care for the people they love and keep an eye on them. ‘Nothing is more important than how you get on with other people.’
53% think their health is paramount and friends, especially old friends are meaningful, (25%).
Respondents also mentioned happiness (18%), wealth (11%) and their home (10%) as important aspects of life.

What do you read?
Reading was often mentioned as a preferable way to spend time. Newspapers are popular and read thoroughly from front to back.
A popular newspaper choice in this age group is The Daily Telegraph (33%), because, according to our respondents, it reflects political views.
Other favourite newspapers are the Daily Mail (20%), The Times (13%).
The Guardian (13%), which has a good and intelligent coverage, according to the poll.
Surprisingly the Metro was named only once.
Books (60%) and magazines (27%) are both favorites to read, especially history books.
Magazines from tabloids to glossies and special magazines for the computer are mentioned.

Brands

What are your favorite food & drink brands?
During this research it appeared that this age group is not very brand-specific. They found it quite hard to name any brands off the top of their heads.
Heinz ketchup, beans, soups are popular for 33%.
Helman’s mayonnaise is another top brand for 11%.
Other named brands were Muller Yoghurt, Baxter’s Soup, Tesco’s own label brand and Birds Eye.
Respondents gave us several reasons not to buy specific brands, such as ‘you get what you pay for’, and ‘I tried cheaper but it doesn’t work.’
Surprisingly food from health stores such as Holland & Barrett is mentioned.
For drink brands, surprisingly several specific wine types were named like Sauvignon and Chablis, instead of soft drink brands.

Where do you like to shop for clothes brands?
Marks & Spencer (40%) and Debenhams (30%) are named most often as shops were participants like to purchase clothes. John Lewis is also popular, 25% told us they like to shop there.
Woman of 70 years of age noticed that it can be ‘an awful job to find clothes, because everything is much too young and frisky’.
Therefore, catalogue shopping (18%) was mentioned as an alternative way to buy clothes.
Other favourite shops are Next and Principles.
Interestingly, designer brands were named quiet often by this age group. However, Primark was also popular (20%). Respondents told us they go there because of the price or when they are particularly poor.

Where do you shop for home furnishings?
Again Debenhams (27%), John Lewis (27%) and Marks & Spencer (18%) are most popular shops to buy home furnishings from.
John Lewis was named especially for soft furnishings and respondents said Debenhams because they liked the shop.
A visit to Ikea (9%) was noted as ‘quite an experience.’
As well as all the big stores, little shops and markets are also popular to look for furniture and to ‘spot some nice things.’

Media & Technology

What technology do you use?
Every respondent uses at least one form of technology. Computers (54%) and mobile phones (46%) are most popular. Some respondents admit to having at least two computers, two DVD players and more than two (digital) televisions.
Interestingly, 15% of the respondents go on a computer course to keep up with all the latest developments and to learn how to operate it.
10% do not use any technology and admit it’s a ‘foreign language.’
23% uses the internet and email to keep in contact with friends and family.
All the respondents mention using their mobile phone for emergencies or on an occasional basis.
Texting however is not very popular.

How do you feel about the development of technology and it appeal to you?
Even though the developments in technology are sometimes hard to keep up with, 62% thinks sending emails is a good way to keep in contact with family and friends.
31% says technology has ‘revolutionized their life’s, it’s wonderful. It helps to improve the standards of life. A cool accessory was science fiction a few years ago.’
23% of the respondents are not happy with contact via mobile phone, texting or email. They find it rude and they miss the personal touch. They prefer to ring friends and family on the phone.
31% thinks everything goes to fast and can be intrusive. Often its children and grandchildren that keep them informed.

What music do you enjoy and why?
Music is mentioned as a good way to relax. 50% likes classical music or listen to Classic FM, because it’s nostalgic, gentle and music instead of noise.
‘Old music’, such as Phill Collins, the Bee gees and Eric Clapton is popular for 23%.
Modern music like Robbie Williams or Barbara Streisand are named by 15%, but most of the respondents find modern music difficult to listen to and think the songs are very aggressive.

What television do you enjoy and why?
78% admitted to watching television regularly. News (40%) and current affair programmes, documentaries and series are most popular to watch.
Reality TV is not mentioned at all by this age group.
With soaps, Coronation Street is most popular in this age group.
A few respondents mentioned recording programmes they like to watch on tape, and watching them at a later date.
One respondent didn’t have a television and did not miss it at all!

Who is your favourite modern celebrity and why?
Our respondents didn’t name anyone in particular. They named several persons and explained why they liked or admired them.
Examples of ‘modern celebrity’ that were named are:
Churchill; ‘ You can’t get away from that one in our age group, we knew him during the war.
Jonny Depp; ‘He is a nice looking actor, he makes good films and he is comical as well.’
Freddie Flinthoff; ‘He is hopefully going to win this test for us.’
Anita Roddick;‘She is the founder of the Body Shop, she really changed cosmetics.’
Elisabeth Arden & Estee Lauder: ‘These old girls were the first ones to do something about cosmetics in that age group.’
Kate Moss;‘She’s got so much going for her, it’s such a waste now.’
Oprah Winfrey: ‘Because of her generosity and her spirit.’
Dr. Phil McGraw: ‘He is so knowledgeable and tells things the way it is, I like his common sense.’

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