**Britons Invited to Discover Their ‘Money Personality’ in New National Quiz**
A new quiz aiming to help Britons discover their ‘financial personality’ has been launched, encouraging people across the United Kingdom to reflect on their relationship with money. The quiz, rolled out as part of National Numeracy Day, seeks to identify whether participants are ‘financial freewheelers’, ‘anxious avoiders’, or among several other distinct money personas.
This novel initiative stems from research exploring how comfortable people in the UK are when dealing with their finances and having open discussions about money matters. According to findings shared in advance of National Numeracy Day on 21 May, many individuals prefer to keep their financial affairs private, with only a minor proportion showing complete transparency.
The study, performed by OnePoll for professional services firm KPMG UK, surveyed 2,000 adults and offered some intriguing insights. It appeared that a quarter of those polled could be described as ‘silent savers’ – individuals who rarely, if ever, discuss their finances with others. In stark contrast, only a small 5% of respondents felt comfortable being completely open about their monetary circumstances.
Dr Linda Papadopoulos, a psychologist involved in the research, commented on the UK’s complicated relationship with money talk. She noted that typically, Britons have a reputation for being reserved about financial discussions. However, the survey suggests a wide spectrum of attitudes, with half the respondents expressing a preference for more transparent conversations regarding finances.
Further analysis reveals several distinctive financial personalities: 18% see themselves as ‘cautious calculators’, who methodically manage their finances and pay close attention to budgeting; 12% call themselves ‘casual conversationalists’, feeling relaxed about discussing money with others and frequently sharing financial anecdotes. Interestingly, amongst ten personality types studied, only 3% identified as ‘oversharing optimists’, while a further 4% described themselves as ‘competitive comparers’.
When it comes to who people feel comfortable discussing their finances with, the study found that nearly half are most at ease talking to their partner, followed by family members and close friends. Only a fraction (just 1%) would broach the subject with a work colleague, and a significant 24% admitted to engaging in money conversations with friends or family only a handful of times per year.
Despite high levels of reported confidence with basic numeracy – with 88% saying they feel capable – complexity poses significant challenges. Over a third confess to struggling when confronted with detailed financial statements or utility bills. This gap in confidence, researchers say, highlights the importance not only of mathematical knowledge but also of self-assurance when tackling real-life money matters.
The findings reveal that early exposure to healthy money habits may be beneficial. Nearly half of those surveyed actively talk with their children about finances, aiming to instil an understanding of the value of money and the importance of responsible spending from a young age.
Yet, challenges persist for many households. More than a third of respondents frequently find themselves stretched for cash at the end of each month, while around one in five run out of funds by the halfway point. High household bills, unexpected costs, and insufficient income are among the chief reasons for these struggles, according to the research. Poor budgeting, a lack of savings, and mismanagement are also influential factors, with 30% acknowledging they have some form of debt, from credit cards to mortgages and loans.
Commenting on the findings, Bina Mehta, chair of KPMG UK, stressed the far-reaching impact of number confidence: “Understanding everyday numbers like interest rates is crucial for making good financial decisions. Improving these skills can help people avoid debt, increase their job prospects, and create a more robust economy.”
Sam Sims, chief executive of National Numeracy, echoed these sentiments, arguing that confidence with numbers shapes people’s financial lives in fundamental ways. “While it’s heartening that many people rate their numeracy skills highly, millions still struggle with routine budgeting and deciphering bills.”
As National Numeracy Day approaches, organisers hope the quiz and related awareness campaigns will inspire individuals to take their first steps towards greater number confidence. Improved numeracy, they argue, offers a pathway not only to better money management but also to brighter, more secure futures for people across the UK.
The research also highlights the most common financial personalities in Britain, from the reserved ‘Silent Saver’ to the methodical ‘Cautious Calculator’, as well as more open types like the ‘Generous Mentor’. The campaign underscores that boosting money and numeracy skills is not just about mathematics, but about encouraging honest conversations, building self-belief, and supporting one another in financial life.