Saving for travel trumps house deposit for young

Young people are more likely to be saving for travel than a house deposit according to research by Warehouse Money. Photo/Lev Dolgachov.

Young people are more likely to be saving for travel than for a house deposit suggesting some are putting a first home in the too hard basket.

Research by Warehouse Money, a division of retailer The Warehouse Group found 53 per cent of savers between the age of 18 and 29 were putting aside money for a trip compared to 47 per cent saving for a first home.

Hadyn Halls, executive general manager for Warehouse Money, said the results suggested young people were more interested in travelling than they were in getting on to the property ladder.

"The shift of young people saving for travel, more so than for a house deposit, could be due to the increase in loan-to-value ratio (LVR) rates, combined with the rising cost of owning a home.

"As home ownership seems increasingly out of reach, it's possible that younger Kiwis are looking to gain life experience and are putting off settling down."

Even older savers were more likely to be saving for travel than a house with 45 per cent of 30 to 39-year-olds focused on travel versus the 33 per cent saving for a house.

Saving priorities for those in their 30s and 40s reflected the growing number of people having children later in life.

Of those saving in their 30s, 39 per cent said they were saving for a better life for their children and 22 per cent were putting aside money for children's school costs.

Offspring related saving was even higher for those in their 40s with 42 per cent saving for a better life for their children and 25 per cent for school costs.

The biggest saving priority for people in their 50s was retirement - even overcoming the priority to save for emergencies with 70 per cent of savers stating they were saving for their golden years.

Surprisingly even 35 per cent of savers over the age of 70 were putting aside money for retirement.

Saving for an emergency was a priority across all age-groups, showing Kiwis like to be prepared for the worst.

The research also questioned people about their insurance and credit card habits.

It found young people were the least likely to have insurance with over a third of 18 to 29-year-olds having no contents insurance.

Fewer than 43 per cent of respondents who were living in a rental situation also reported holding contents insurance.

"This is a real concern," said Halls.

"Time after time we hear stories about uninsured renters losing everything through disastrous situations such as fire, theft or flood.

"Life is challenging enough without having to start from scratch. Contents insurance can offer renters stability and help them get back on their feet should the worst happen," he added.

Of those with a credit card 42 per cent said they used it to collect rewards.

Saving priorities
•More young people are saving for travel than a house deposit
•Child-related savings peak in your 40s
•Retirement is the biggest saving priority for people in their 50s
•Saving for emergencies is a priority across all ages
source: Warehouse Money research