- Procrastination has cost Brits £3.3 billion[1] over the last year, as tired Brits delay life admin tasks
- More than half (58%) of UK adults pay a “procrastination premium” of £104.13 per person, per year[2]
- Most costly delayed tasks include household repairs, forgetting to resell gig tickets, cancelling gym memberships and not switching broadband[3]
- Uswitch expert Sabrina Hoque encourages Brits to act now to avoid a “procrastination premium”
Putting off the to-do list has cost Brits £3.3 billion[1] in additional fees and missed savings in the last year, according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Over half (58%) of Brits, or more than 31 million people, are missing out on savings by delaying essential life admin tasks, with this “procrastination premium” costing an average of £104.13 annually[2]. Just under half (48%) admit they put off these tasks simply because they don’t like doing them, or lack the motivation to get them done.
Repairing household items such as boilers and white goods is the priciest job to put off, costing consumers who put this off an extra £98.60 on average[3], followed by not reselling a ticket to an event or gig you are no longer able to attend (£61.30 on average).
The task Brits delay most frequently is forgetting to cancel a subscription, typically costing £36.90[4] per year.
Other jobs that put people off are updating their mobile or broadband contract after it has expired, with one in ten (9%) of Brits admitting to leaving it three months or longer to take action[5].
Table: 10 most expensive jobs for Brits to put off[3]
| Task | Average wasted cost |
|---|---|
| Not getting a household item properly repaired | £98.60 |
| Not reselling a ticket to an event or gig you are no longer able to attend | £61.90 |
| Not claiming compensation for delayed trains | £60.90 |
| Not paying a fine promptly, resulting in a higher charge | £51.20 |
| Not cancelling a gym membership you’re no longer using | £49.10 |
| Not returning a purchase within the store’s allowed return time | £41.50 |
| Not changing my broadband supplier once my contract has expired | £40.93 |
| Not purchasing an item you want during a sale, and having to pay full price | £39.70 |
| Not cancelling a subscription before a free trial period ends | £38.70 |
| Not using vouchers or coupons before they expire | £38.00 |
6.9 million Brits say they suffer from “analysis paralysis”[6] - the feeling of being unable to make a start on their to-do list, and a fifth (20%) admit to putting things off because they don’t have time.
Sabrina Hoque, telecoms expert at Uswitch, shares advice on how Brits can avoid paying the “procrastination premium”: “It’s understandable that Brits find themselves putting off their life admin to-do list, whether you think you don’t have time or it just feels too overwhelming. But usually, these tasks take less time than you think and can save you a significant amount of money if you make the time.
“With the price of music events being so high - and the demand even higher, it’s surprising that Brits are forgetting to sell unused tickets. But more unexpected is how much money people are leaving on the table by delaying simple tasks like switching their broadband providers.
“The data suggests Brits are really underestimating what they could save by switching their broadband - as on average, switching to a new broadband deal after your initial contract has ended saves customers £163 a year[7].
“The recently introduced ‘One Touch Switch’ process for broadband switching means that changing providers should be even simpler to tick off your to-do list. The new system means if both your current and new providers are signed up, you won’t need to contact your old service to tell them you’re leaving - everything will be managed for you.
“Don’t delay reviewing your to-do list and figuring out where you can save money through everyday household tasks - whether by cancelling that subscription before your free trial ends or changing a broadband supplier once your contract has expired.”
For tips on how to get the best broadband deal, check out Uswitch.com
Notes to editors
Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from 10 September 2024 - 13 September 2024
- UK population is 53,646,829. Respondents were asked “In the last year, have you lost out on any money or faced an additional charge due to any of the following? Please select all that apply.” Respondents were also asked “How long, if at all, have you or do you tend to put off doing each of the following tasks?” 58% delayed on one of these tasks, of the UK’s population 58% is 31,302,925. The average cost among respondents who had lost money or faced an additional charge is £104.13. 104.13*31,302,925 = 3,259,447,213
- Respondents were asked “You mentioned you have delayed doing something that loses out on money. How much do you estimate you have lost to each of the following in the last year?”. The weighted average of costs incurred by people who have lost out financially due to delaying a task is £104.13.
- Respondents were asked “You mentioned you have delayed doing something that loses out on money. How much do you estimate you have lost to each of the following in the last year?”. The most costly activity that respondents said they delayed per-instance is “Not getting a household item fixed promptly resulting in a bigger spend” costing £98.60 per-instance on average.
- Respondents were asked “In the last year, have you lost out on any money or faced an additional charge due to any of the following? Please select all that apply.”.
- Respondents were asked “How long, if at all, have you or do you tend to put off doing each of the following tasks? If you didn't put it off or this task is not relevant to you select N/A”. Of respondents who selected “Changing a broadband provider after my contract has expired” or “Changing a mobile provider after my contract has expired”, 9% selected “Up to three months” or longer.
- Respondents were asked “What are the main reasons, if any, you procrastinate or put off tasks? Please select all that apply.”. 13% of respondents selected “Analysis paralysis (feeling paralysed with worry/fear by looking at my list)”, UK population is 53,646,829, 12.553% of this figure is 6,974,087.732,677
- Switching to a new broadband deal after your initial contract has ended could save you £163 (£163.72) a year. This calculation is based on the average 12-month out of contract cost calculated in July 2024 between Vodafone, BT, Virgin Media, NOW Broadband, Sky and Plusnet (£483.72), compared to the average cost of the most popular three new deals (NOW Broadband: Superfast at £264 per year, Sky Ultrafast Plus Broadband at £384 and Vodafone Fibre 2 at £312). Correct as of 1st August 2024.
For more information
Harriet Atkinson | Telecoms PR Manager
harriet.atkinson@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.