Survey shows Filipinos see improved finances next year

Majority of Filipinos are hopeful of good things to come next year, a recent survey conducted by a market research firm showed. According to the results of Synovate’s Asiabus October 2010 survey, 51 percent of respondents “foresee their personal financial situation to be better” in the next 12 months, while 39 percent said they expect their finances to stay the same.

Forty-seven percent of survey respondents said they “expect a better economic situation for the country,” while 40 percent said they “expect that the economy will remain as it is.”

“As Christmas is nearing, majority (58 percent) are expecting their holiday celebrations to be just the same as last year, but three out of ten (27 percent) disclosed that they are expecting more from the upcoming revelries,” Synovate said.

The research firm said consumers plan to spend more this Christmas season than last year, especially on gifts and decorations.

Synovate said there is an intent to make this year’s celebration more festive, as the majority (58 percent) will spend more on decorations while 38 percent will spend the same amount as last year.

By Christmas, 42 percent will spend more and 48 percent will spend just the same as the previous year on gifts for immediate family.

A little over half of the respondents also revealed that they plan to spend more for relatives and friends.

For 57 percent of respondents, the budget for food would be “just the same as last year,” as only 18 percent said they can spend some more on food.

“Most of the respondents should have finished striking out items off their Christmas shopping lists as 37 percent said that they plan to start shopping on the second week of December while 22 percent said that they would start in the third week,” Synovate said.

“Among the most popular places to shop are department stores and malls (66 percent), bazaars (24 percent), and bargain centers (17 percent),” the research firm added.

Only about a fifth of the respondents plan to work during the holidays.

For the Asiabus survey, Synovate polled 2,000 people aged 15 to 64 from all socioeconomic classes in urban areas nationwide. –BEN ARNOLD O. DE VERA, Manila Times