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Are you a serial resolver?

• 10 million people make the same resolution every year
• Half will lose their resolve within a month
• Financial planning is central to making intentions last, says IFA Promotion

Nearly 16 million UK adults say they will embark upon 2002 with a New Years Resolution.  However, despite a quarter claiming to have stuck by last years resolution, 10 million people are making the same pledge year in, year out, reveals new research* from IFA Promotion, the organisation promoting the benefits of independent financial advice.

The research, conducted by independent research agency, BMRB, on behalf of IFA Promotion, shows that overall next years most popular resolutions look set to mirror those of previous years:

• One in four of those making resolutions (23% - 3.7 million) want to give up smoking.
• Keeping fit is a high priority, with 13% resolving to get fitter in 2002.
• 18% want to go on a diet unsurprisingly nearly three times as many women as men want to lose weight.
• Looking after your health is such an important resolution that over a quarter of a million of us are pledging to cut down on their alcohol consumption. 
• Half (50%) will see their resolution fall by the wayside by the end of January, whilst nearly 4 million peoples resolve wont even last the week, if this years perseverance levels are echoed in 2002. 

When quizzed about their finances:

• 33% (5.3 million) of UK adults are pledging to grapple with their finances
• 1.2 million are vowing to get out of the red
• 3.5 million plan to save more in 2002

David Elms, Chief Executive of IFA Promotion commented, In todays economic climate, being extra vigilant with your money is vital, so its good to see so many are starting off 2002 with a positive outlook

He concluded, Rather than recycle a perennially unsuccessful resolution, this time round were urging people to commit to sort out their finances.  By sharing some financial goals with an IFA, this may be one worthwhile resolution that lasts through to next year.

To help you keep to your financial resolution and to help set 2002 off on the right footing IFA Promotion can provide you with a log book to help keep your finances in order and a list of three IFAs in your area to help. Call the freephone hotline on 0800 085 3250 or visit www.unbiased.co.uk. 

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For further information please contact:

 *Research conducted by BMRB during November 2000.  For more detailed questions regarding the research, call:

Nick Philip
BMRB
020 8566 5000

Notes to Editors

1.  Independent Financial Adviser Promotion
Independent Financial Adviser Promotion Ltd. was established in 1989 to promote the value and accessibility of independent financial advice to the public.  It represents nearly 10,000 firms of independent financial advisers across the UK and is sponsored by 29 leading financial institutions.

IFA Promotions central belief is:

Consumers have a right to financial advice that is independent of the providers of financial products - i.e. independent financial advice.

Furthermore independent financial advice should be:

• Affordable.  The option to take independent financial advice should be available, by right, to all - not just the wealthiest in society.
• Convenient.  IFAs should be available in the location of the consumers choice, wherever they live in the UK.
• Transparent.  It must be clearly transparent to consumers who is able to offer independent financial advice and who is not.

 
2.       Independent Financial Adviser Promotions sponsors