Brits are unknowingly sitting on a ‘hidden treasure trove’
New research has revealed an astonishing £3billion that countless Brits are overlooking. This encompasses everything from disregarded foreign currency and sofa-bound change, to dormant bank accounts and unused loyalty points or gift vouchers.
Commissioned by NatWest, the research found that the average person could have around £65 lying idle in various places. A significant one in five possess substantial amounts tucked away in inactive bank accounts.
Savings specialist Mo Watt commented: “Whilst it might not seem like much, an extra £65 could go towards a meal out with friends, spending for your next holiday, or even just a little treat, so it’s worth paying attention to. Whether it’s converting old travel cash, using up loyalty points, or simply gathering loose change, these small wins can make a real difference.”
Unused gift cards represent the most prevalent type of overlooked or neglected financial resource. With the typical individual likely to have about £17 in unnoticed gift cards, more than ten percent have wasted £25 attempting to use discovered vouchers, only to find they had expired.
Almost half of those surveyed acknowledged having unused gift cards in their possession. In addition, 20% of Britons hold a bank account that has gone unused for the past year. These neglected accounts had an average of £32.15 in each one, with some containing up to £100.
Loyalty points were also significantly underclaimed, with the typical adult estimated to have around £24 worth going unused. More than £30 in small change is believed to be scattered around the average British home, having fallen into the nooks and crannies of sofas, shelves, trinket trays and bookshelves. However, only £7 of this is thought to be in UK currencies.
The study discovered that people have an average of £26.25 in foreign currency lying forgotten in drawers and holiday bags. In response to these astonishing figures, NatWest encouraged individuals to undertake a quick spring clean for the benefit of their finances. This includes checking the expiry dates on gift cards and loyalty points, converting foreign currency into savings, and consolidating all unused bank accounts.
