Tapped out: 12.5 million Aussies too broke or overstimulated for social activities
Australians are cutting back on social outings amid growing financial pressure, according to new research by Finder.
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A Finder survey of 1,010 respondents found 60% of Aussies – equivalent to 12.5 million people – were avoiding social gatherings to conserve funds or recharge over the festive season.
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Almost half (47%) say they cut back on social engagements to save money, while 1 in 5 (21%) did so to save their 'social battery'.
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The research found women (65%) were slightly more likely than men (56%) to have scaled back to save money or their sanity.
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Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said socialising was not in the budget for millions of people.
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"It's hard to be social without spending money.
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"When managing a tight budget, whether driven by necessity or a strategic financial goal, catching up with friends is one of the things that becomes more tricky."
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Pike said social media is ironically playing a role in Aussies being less social.
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"When every event is a photo op for TikTok and Instagram, it means your group – and you – are likely going to be paying more per experience.
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"Separately, increased consumption of social media drains your life force and makes you feel like you've been social when you haven't left your sofa."
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Pike urged Aussies to set up a dedicated savings account for social activities.
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"You don't need to be frugal at the expense of enjoying friendships.
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"A dedicated lifestyle fund allows you to see your friends without the guilt and worry about how you're going to afford it.
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"Even small, consistent contributions can add up significantly over time."
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Pike said you can spend time with friends and family on a budget.
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"In a time when connection matters more than ever, finding budget-friendly ways to catch up ensures inclusivity, allowing everyone to participate regardless of financial constraints."
Are you avoiding social activities (e.g. going to parties, gatherings, drinks) over the festive period?
| Yes, to save money | 47% |
| Yes, to save my 'social battery' | 21% |
| No | 40% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,010 respondents, December 2024 |  |
Sources
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,010 respondents from December 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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