British women have a staggering £217million stashed away - in 'handbag funds', it emerged yesterday.
One in ten have an average of £87 hidden from their partner which they plan to blow on their dream handbag when they reach their target figure.
Other women have secret funds for new shoes, weekend breaks - and even plastic surgery - which they top up randomly.
The report, which was published by Skipton, the UK's fourth biggest building society, also found one in five men have a 'fella fund' to help them save for gadgets, games and clothes.
Yesterday Tracy Fletcher of Skipton Building Society, which carried out the research among 1,000 women and 1,000 men, said: ‘’Many people would be forgiven for thinking that saving money has fallen down people's priority lists, thanks to the credit crunch and current economic climate.
‘’However, this research shows that people are still making the effort despite it being harder to do so than it was previously.
‘’Never ones to be knocked down, the research reaffirms the true British spirit, showing that, despite money being tight, a determined savings effort can still make a well-earned indulgence possible.
‘’Everybody has a savings aspiration. Be it to save up for a deposit on a new home, to buy a new gadget or even to save up for a mini-break or a shopping treat.
‘’And all of these things are much more enjoyable if they've been saved up for, while making sure day-to-day costs are covered. For many, the real sense of achievement this gives inspires them to do it again.
‘’Whatever their savings goals are, this research shows that there are plenty of people putting money aside, rather than living beyond their means and putting their purchases on plastic.’’
The study into the saving habits of British adults also found the majority of women (35 per cent) are saving for a holiday.
But one in 20 are currently putting cash aside for a boob job or other form of plastic surgery.
A similar number have a big night out planned with the girls, while eight per cent have their eye on a special pair of shoes.
The report also found men have more money saved than women, with blokes' average balance now being £6,162 compared to £4,886 for women.
Men also save more per month, £162 to £151.
Women are more likely to be saving for a deposit for a house, perhaps because more men than ever before are staying at home with mum.
Men think more about the future too, stashing money away for a pension fund, it emerged.
Incredibly, more than one in ten (12 per cent) wives or girlfriends have siphoned off money from a joint account into their own to buy something for themselves.
The same study found that 53 per cent of Brits have a personal savings account, 14 per cent have a joint account and 34 per cent have both.
Furthermore, it emerged the average amount in a savings account is £5,965, while that of a joint account is £5,300.
David Cutter, Skipton Group Chief Executive, added: ‘’The findings of our research are very interesting and it's good to see that there is still a strong goal-based saving culture among many people.
‘’This is the kind of behaviour we try to encourage, as a mutual, by offering rewarding goal-based savings accounts which help to people achieve their aspirations even quicker.’’
* One in ten of UK female adult population (25 million) = 2,500,000. Multiplied by average savings of £87 = £217,500,00.
