Those who need an excuse to enjoy themselves this festive season now have a very good one: having fun has become cheaper, while day-to-day living expenses have rocketed.
The "cost of fun" has fallen over the past decade, while the cost of living has soared almost a third, according to new figures.
Egg’s "retail therapy index" (RTI) — which measures a basket of goods and services reflecting the nation’s lifestyle — said the price of "fun" items, such as leisure and entertainment goods, has fallen by 0.6 percent in the past 10 years.
At the same time, average UK prices have increased by 30.2 percent, based on the Retail Price Index (RPI).
In the past year alone, RPI has lifted 3 percent, driven by rising fuel and energy costs.
But fierce competition among retailers — supermarkets in particular — has meant the price of recreational and leisure items, as measured by Egg’s RTI, have risen by just 0.9 percent.
Some items have seen startling price drops.
The cost of audio-visual equipment, such as iPods, televisions and sound systems, has tumbled 10.9 percent over the past 12 months.
Egg’s "retail therapy index" (RTI) — which measures a basket of goods and services reflecting the nation’s lifestyle — said the price of "fun" items, such as leisure and entertainment goods, has fallen by 0.6 percent in the past 10 years.
At the same time, average UK prices have increased by 30.2 percent, based on the Retail Price Index (RPI).
In the past year alone, RPI has lifted 3 percent, driven by rising fuel and energy costs.
But fierce competition among retailers — supermarkets in particular — has meant the price of recreational and leisure items, as measured by Egg’s RTI, have risen by just 0.9 percent.
Some items have seen startling price drops.
The cost of audio-visual equipment, such as iPods, televisions and sound systems, has tumbled 10.9 percent over the past 12 months.
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