Four in 10 brits say they aren't comfortable talking about money

A QUARTER OF BRITS ARE 'SILENT SAVERS' WHO KEEP THEIR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS PRIVATE - WITH JUST ONE IN 20 AN 'OPEN BOOK' WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY MATTERS, ACCORDING TO A NEW

STUDY STEVE RICHMOND 13:02, 20 May 2025 Are you a 'financial freewheeler' or an 'anxious avoider'? Find out which one you are by taking the revealing quiz which will

probe your attitude towards financial discussions and bank balance banter, dishing out one of four possible profiles. This comes after a study found that a quarter of Brits are 'silent

savers', keeping their money matters under wraps, while only 5% are completely transparent about their finances. A survey of 2,000 adults also showed that 18% see themselves as

'cautious calculators'; the type who meticulously plans and crunches numbers when it comes to their cash. Meanwhile, 12% identified as 'casual conversationalists',

easy-going when discussing dosh and open about their financial experiences. Psychologist and broadcaster Dr Linda Papadopoulos noted that the research indicates Brits generally shy away from

money talk, even though half reckon it's beneficial to be candid about cash. Teaming up with KPMG UK for National Numeracy Day on Wednesday 21st May, Dr Linda remarked: "The

research has shown a real mix of confidence when it comes to finance and dealing with money." She added: "And confidence is key – this isn't just about maths; numeracy is all

around us in every way. We're always dealing with numbers in some form in our lives. The good news is, many do rate their understanding, but as soon as things get a little complex,

confidence levels drop. Article continues below "Talking about numeracy and financial topics more frequently would absolutely help people to build confidence, hearing whether other

people thrive or struggle – and enable one another by listening and lending a helping hand." When asked to pick from 10 personality approaches to money, merely 3% labelled themselves as

an 'oversharing optimist' and just 4% as a 'competitive comparer'. The data shows folks are most at ease yakking about finances with their partners (46%), relatives

(20%) and mates (10%), but chatting up numbers with a colleague at the office? That's a no-go for 99% of people. Although gabbing about money matters with friends and family

doesn't happen too often, being limited to a few times annually for 24%. A chunky 30% wish they could chinwag about dosh more comfortably with others, according to the OnePoll stats.

Zooming out, loads of respondents – 88%, in fact – reckon they can handle number crunching, yet more than a third (37%) confess that when facing the nitty-gritty of financial documents like

utility bills and bank statements, they're not exactly tally masters. That said, almost half (49%) make it a point to chat with their kids on the value of a quid (6%) and instilling

savvy spending habits (52%), serving up these nuggets of wisdom early doors. Despite being generally good with numbers, 35% of people find themselves struggling financially at the end of

each month, with 23% running out of cash halfway through. Common reasons for this include unexpected expenses (38%), high bills (33%), and insufficient income (29%). However, poor financial

planning, lack of savings, and mismanaging money account for 28% of the reasons. Additionally, 30% of those surveyed are burdened with some form of debt, such as credit card debt, mortgages,

or loans. Bina Mehta, chair of KPMG UK, which commissioned the study, commented: "Number confidence can have a significant impact on our lives, especially when it comes to

understanding 'everyday' numbers like mortgage or credit card interest rates. "Good numeracy skills can improve confidence with financial decision making, enhance job

prospects, and even guard against vulnerability to fraud and debt, all of which contributes to a healthier and more inclusive economy." Sam Sims, chief executive at National Numeracy,

added: "This research highlights just how deeply personal our relationship with money is - and how confidence with numbers shapes our financial decisions. "While it's

encouraging that so many people feel confident with numbers, the reality is that millions are still struggling with budgeting and understanding bills and financial documents. "We know

that boosting numeracy isn't just about being better at maths - it's about building the confidence to face everyday financial challenges and make informed decisions.

"That's why National Numeracy Day exists: to inspire people to feel good about numbers and take that first step towards improving their skills - because better numeracy can lead to

better opportunities, and brighter futures for everyone." TOP FIVE MONEY PERSONALITIES BRITS RELATE TO MOST. Article continues below * Silent Saver - Prefers to keep financial matters

private, rarely discussing savings or investments with others. * Cautious Calculator – A careful planner and always analyses financial decisions, often creating detailed budgets and tracking

expenses meticulously. * Casual Conversationalist – Discusses money in a relaxed manner, often sharing personal experiences and anecdotes without much concern for details. * Reluctant

Realist - Talks about money with a pragmatic approach, acknowledging financial challenges and limitations. * Generous Mentor – Loves to share financial advice and tips, often helping others

with budgeting and investing.