Health and fitness resolutions, which have topped the poll for the last two years, have been relegated to second and third spot, with 46 per cent of people resolving to get fitter and 45 per cent looking to slim down their waistlines. It is the first time since the 'credit crunch' and the start of the recession in 2008 that financial affairs have topped the nation's list of resolutions.
The poll of 3,000 adults reveals that 54 per cent of Brits are planning to make resolutions this year. While 62 per cent will do so out of tradition or habit, 46 per cent genuinely want to change their behaviour in 2012. But, these people will have an Olympian struggle in 2012 - typically 86 per cent of resolutions fail within six months and 41 per cent will be broken before the end of January.
Reducing outgoings (40 per cent) tops the list of financial-related resolutions followed by paying-off debt (35 per cent), saving money in a deposit account (25 per cent), investing in the stock market (12 per cent) and saving more into a pension (10 per cent).
John Miles, Gocompare.com's business development director, said: "Traditionally New Year is a time to reflect on the changes we want, or need, to make in our lives. Perhaps unsurprisingly, sorting out finances and reducing outgoings top the list for the first time since 2008."
The research was commissioned by Gocompare.com and carried out with 3,000 UK adults in December 2011 by OnePoll. The 26 million figure is based on 54.3 per cent of the UK adult population planning to make resolutions (the UK Adult population (+18) is estimated to be 47,755,246, according to Experian's Demographic Summary). Therefore 54.3 per cent of 47.7 million is 25.9 million.