A survey of 2,000 UK adults found the common resolutions like increased investment in physical, mental, and financial health still top the list of changes people are intent on making in the New Year, but for many these resolutions now go beyond simply benefiting the individual.
In fact, 57 per cent recognise their ability to have an impact bettering the world and giving back to their community in 2022.
While 44 per cent stated the importance they are putting on helping others in the New Year where they can.
Three in five think that taking care of their own finances in 2022 could enable them to support others, while 35 per cent intend to donate to charity.
A tenth will look to support more community projects, while a further one in 10 want to use their skills to help people in the long run.
Jonny Black, strategic director at global investment company abrdn, which commissioned the research, said: “As we head into the New Year it’s the perfect time for people to reassess their priorities and plans for the future.
"And beyond purely personal goals, for many a better future involves society as a whole.
"Based on our latest research of what matters most to people today, this is clearly something more of us than ever are opening our eyes to.”
The study found that while making changes to help those around them is clearly a top priority, people still have a number of resolutions that are focused on improving their own wellbeing.
These lifestyle upgrades include wanting to go on more holidays (37 per cent) and spending more time with family and friends (35 per cent).
While one in three (33 per cent) plan to read more and 21 per cent want to get away from their phones more.
The driving force for almost half (48 per cent) to invest in themselves in the coming year is because ‘life is short’.
It also emerged as many as 44 per cent named sorting their finances as their most important goal for 2022, with better budgeting of cash and plotting a financial future among their aims.
Almost seven in 10 believe that investing in their financial health in the New Year will have a direct impact on their happiness and wellbeing, according to the OnePoll figures.
Nearly half (45 per cent) are exploring how they can invest money to grow their finances in 2022, with 36 per cent previously being deterred because they don’t trust the risks that come with investing.
Four in 10 see the New Year as the perfect time to invest as they have been able to put more aside recently and want to see their savings grow, while 35 per cent believe investing is important for their future.
Jonny Black from abrdn added: “As they say – ‘the best time to start was yesterday, the next best time is now’, which is one of the most telling things when it comes to investing in your future – whether that be your health, finances or something beyond a personal goal.
“As we head into 2022, we want to help our customers see that when they invest in good things, good things can happen.
"Our approach is to demonstrate the opportunities available when it comes to finances and the wider impact this could have on more than just one individual.”
TOP 20 INVESTMENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE IN 2022:
1. Recycle more
2. Donate things you don’t need to charity / others
3. Reduce your plastic usage
4. Reduce food waste
5. Reduce your carbon footprint
6. Give money to charity
7. Change habits that are bad for the environment
8. Swap plastic bottles for reusable alternatives
9. Care more about the planet
10. Grow your own fruit and veg
11. Give food donations
12. Use eco-friendly cleaning products
13. Learn more about climate change
14. Try to help more people
15. Use eco-friendly hygiene products
16. Use public transport more
17. Care more about people
18. Help your neighbours
19. Stop using single use coffee cups
20. Clean up your neighbourhood – i.e. picking up rubbish
TOP 20 ‘INVESTMENTS’ IN THEMSELVES PEOPLE ARE PLANNING TO MAKE IN 2022
1. Spend more time with family
2. Go on more holidays
3. Read more
4. More ‘me’ time
5. Spend more time with friends
6. Plan for the future financially
7. Keep a closer eye on your finances
8. Spend more time on an existing hobby
9. Treat yourself more often
10. Budget more
11. Surround yourself with like-minded people
12. Make new friends
13. Spend less time on your phone
14. Watch less TV
15. Eat out more
16. Pick up a new hobby/skill
17. Going to the gym
18. Take more time off work
19. Meditate more
20. Get a new job
