Brits’ budget breakdown: what’s everyone saving for in 2025?

We’ve barely recovered from the Christmas splurge and it’s time to think about the next big occasion. 

A new survey of 2,000 people by personal finance company NerdWallet reveals what Brits are budgeting for and how much they plan to spend. 

What’s the most expensive event of the year?  

Summer holidays: £577 

No surprise here, Brits love their summer holidays! This is where you’ll be putting the most cash, with an average budget of £577 for those sun-soaked getaways. 

Christmas: £469 

It might feel like you’ve just put down the Christmas tree, but it’s already time to start saving for Christmas 2025. Brits are planning to set aside £469 on average for this year’s festive season.   

Birthdays: £238 

Loved ones’ birthdays are always a big deal. According to NerdWallet’s survey, we’re budgeting £238 on average for birthday celebrations. 

Sporting events: £179 

Sporting events are also a top spend, which see us put aside an average £179.  

Concerts, gigs or festivals: £172 

Whether you’re a rocker, raver or just enjoy live music, we’re planning to spend an average £172 on concert tickets and festival fun this year.  

Black Friday: £168 

Who doesn’t love a good deal? On average, we’re saving £168 for Black Friday bargains. 

Easter holidays: £147 

It might not be quite as flashy as Christmas, but Easter’s still a time to splurge on chocolate eggs and days out. In fact, we’re budgeting £147 for the Easter holidays. 

Religious holidays and cultural events: £131 

Events like Eid and Chinese New Year see us spend an average £131. 

Anniversaries: £124 

It’s not all about birthdays. We’re also setting aside £124 to celebrate anniversaries this year. 

Father’s Day: £92  

It seems dads are getting more love than mums this year, with an average of £92 being budgeted for Father’s Day celebrations.  

Mother’s Day: £90  

But don’t worry mums, you’re not too far behind! We’re planning to spend £90 on Mother’s Day 2025.  

Valentine’s Day: £83 

Love is in the air, with Brits budgeting an average of £83 for Valentine’s Day this year. 

Where in the UK are people budgeting the most?  

The survey also made some interesting findings about how people’s budgeting habits vary depending on where they live.  

Summer holidays 

When it comes to our summer hols, the people of Edinburgh (£735), Cambridge (£712) and Wolverhampton (£670) are budgeting the most for a summer getaway this year.  

Christmas 

Meanwhile, those living in Coventry (£590), Cardiff (£572) and Swansea (£560) are planning to save up the most for Christmas 2025.  

Birthdays, sports, concerts and gigs 

When it comes to birthdays, sporting events, concerts, gigs and festivals, Londoners are among the top spenders, planning to spend £293 for birthdays, £260 for sporting events, and £232 for concerts, gigs or festivals this year. 

Valentine’s Day: who’s spreading the love? 

Almost half of us (45%) are ready to spend on Valentine’s Day, with an average budget of £83.  

And it’s the men who are splashing out more, £104 on average compared to £63 for women. 

But it’s lovers in Belfast, London and Brighton and Hove who plan to spend the most this Valentine’s Day, with budgets of £195, £147 and £124 respectively. 

Easter 

Easter’s coming up and 63% of us plan to spend an average £147 on everything from chocolate eggs to getaways. 

And it’s Belfast, Brighton and Hove and Edinburgh which plan spend the most on the Easter holidays, with budgets of £319, £241 and £216. 

How to create a budget?  

But of course, saving for such occasions can be easier said than done.  

One of the key steps to successful saving is creating a budget. It helps you understand the money you have coming in each month and where it is going.  

It will also help you prioritise your spending and identify areas where you could cut back and save more.  

Track your income and expenses   

Get together recent bank statements, pay slips and benefit awards and start tracking your incomings and outgoings.  

Be honest  

Remember, a budget isn’t what you’d like your income, spending and savings to be, but it’s about what it actually is. So jot down everything you spend money on, no matter what it is or costs.  

Prioritise your spending   

Do you really need to spend £20 on that weekly takeaway? Prioritise essentials and special occasions, which, as NerdWallet’s research shows, can add up! 

Create your ‘magic number’ 

This is the golden number that tells you how much you can save or if you need to cut back. Subtract your monthly expenses from your income and if you have any left over, put away the difference, or at least some of it.  

If your income is lower than your outgoings, it’s time to take urgent action to review your spending.  

Review and adjust 

Of course, incomings and outgoings can fluctuate and it’s important to keep your budget updated.  

Refresh your budget as your income or spending habits change. Keep your goals in mind, like saving for that summer holiday or birthday bash! 

Use a budget planner  

Our budget planner might make things a bit easier. Remember, the more accurate the figures you enter, the better the results!