Young people in South Essex are four times more likely to want a healthy savings account than a social life, according to a new survey.

The survey by Britannia building society looked at attitudes towards spending and saving.

It found that 18 to 30-year-olds in South Essex would rather have the cash than a night out on the town.

Three out of five people surveyed also said they thought financial security was more important than settling down and having a family.

And they were also quick to slam high-spending pop stars and other celebrities who they said were a bad example to youngsters.

More than half of the people questioned said they cringe at the lavish spending of some celebrities and 57 per cent of them said Richard Branson was their hero because of his business success.

In South Essex 74 per cent of the people surveyed said they would dump their partner if they discovered they were hiding debts from them.

Just under half of men were worried about their partner's spending habits

Published Friday, May 30, 2003

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