Brits could save on average £1,822 every year if they shared.
New research reveals that Brits would save a staggering £145,000 over a lifetime if they just shared more. By car-pooling with colleagues, borrowing that ‘barely worn’ outfit from a friend or sharing a mobile phone plan you could save yourself a lot of money.
It's fascinating to see just how much we could each save if we shared more as a nation - from car journeys to work, to pooling money for presents.
The study by EE was conducted to mark the launch of its new Shared 4GEE Plans.
The research reveals that over half of Brits would be happy to share more if it saved them some pennies. One in ten would actually consider sharing a toothbrush if it saved them at least £25 a year and a quarter would even share a razor with their partner if it made them a saving of £50 or more.
Sharing a lawnmower, DIY tools and a BBQ with a neighbour could save Brits £11,700 alone. Also, if women shared their clothes, beauty products and toiletries they could save £220 a year, £139 of which could be saved on jewellery alone.
26% of women have been asked at least three times to lend their nail varnish collection, making it the most desired object for sharing.
Another way of saving money would be to share car journeys. The average Brit is losing out on £563 each year in petrol costs by not sharing a car with a friend or colleague. 16% of bashful Brits admitted to being too embarrassed to ask a colleague if they could share a ride to the office.
Individually Brits could save a hefty £1,822 every year if they shared more by car-pooling, sharing their mobile phone plan and borrowing beauty products and clothes from a friend.
However, some Brits are already savvy to the value of sharing with 9% revealing they have signed up to a shared gym membership with their friend or partner and 10% saying they are part of a holiday home time share. 14% of Brits currently share the use of a car with a family member and 39% with their partner.
When it comes to lending possessions, those in Wales are the most reluctant with 52% revealing that they simply don't trust other people to look after their things. Londoners are the most likely of any region polled to share their toothbrush to save cash at 21%, 11% higher than the national average.
Londoners are also the most likely to have a shared gym membership than any other region at 24%. It seems that Londoners have worked out that sharing is saving.
Simeon Bird, Director of Propositions, EE says: ‘In these tough economic times, it's fascinating to see just how much we could each save if we shared more as a nation - from car journeys to work, to pooling money for presents.
Many of us have already started sharing more on a day to day basis, and to help make even further savings - we're launching the UK's first shared mobile phone plans - which could save a typical family of four nearly £500 a year on their mobile phone bills.’
EE's Shared 4GEE Plans are the UK's first shared plans for consumers, it allows users to connect up to five separate devices to one 4GEE plan. Customers will receive one bill for all of their devices on their shared plan, providing greater convenience and value.
The plans are designed for individuals wanting to connect several devices to their one plan or couples and families so they can make cost savings over separate individual plans.
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