Older People Indicated As Being Savvy With Gadgets

Although it is easy to think of the latest gadgets beingIn not having an adequate personal possession
solely used by today's young people, a significantinsurance policy - or indeed lacking cover altogether - it
number of older consumers are making use ofmay be possible that Brits have to dip into their own
technological advances.pockets in order to meet the cost of repairs or to
In a study carried out by RIAS it was indicated thatreplace lost or stolen items. This could have an impact
many Britons over the age of 50 are getting on theupon their ability to manage other demands on their
information superhighway. According to the financialfinances in areas such as loan repayments, credit
services provider such consumers account for justcards and household bills.
under a third (30 per cent) of all internet users, theCommenting on the figures, Janet Connor, managing
fastest-growing demographic across the country. Thedirector for RIAS, said: "The readiness to adopt new
firm also indicated that about four-fifths (79 per cent)technology being demonstrated by the over-50s
of older online users have visited video websitedoesn't surprise us. We know from feedback from our
YouTube, while 17 per cent have downloaded eithercustomers that items such as computers, laptops,
music or a podcast from the internet.mobile phones and iPods/mp3 players are no longer
Meanwhile, over 40 per cent of "silver surfers" own aconsidered 'gadgets', or as the domain of the young,
laptop computer, with 92 per cent having made use ofbut as essential household items."
a broadband connection. Some 19 per cent were"Householders need to reassess and, if necessary,
indicated as having a media centre PC. However, it isupdate the value of their home contents to account
not just computing in which older Britons are shown tofor these new purchases and ensure all their
be technologically savvy as slightly more than a fifthpossessions are adequately covered by their policies,"
have either an iPod or some other form of mp3 player.Ms Connor added.
For those looking for an effective way in which toFor those consumers on the lookout for a
finance purchasing a computer, personal music playerhigh-performance PC, an iPhone or some other
or any other kind of expensive electrical appliance,expensive technological gadget, obtaining a personal
taking out a personal loan might be advisable.loan may be recommended. Getting a loan may also
Overall, it was indicated that those over the age of 50provide borrowers with enough disposable income with
account for two-fifths of the country's total consumerwhich to take out a comprehensive insurance policy.
spending, while they hold 80 per cent of Britain'sMeanwhile, getting a loan may also be recommended
personal wealth. However, despite such financialfor those consumers who are looking to for an
stature that such adults may hold, it was suggestedeffective way to finance their passion for football. In a
that many consumers could be placing themselves atstudy carried out by Virgin Money in March it was
financial risk. RIAS claimed some people may berevealed that the typical supporter spent some 1,080
undervaluing how much hi-tech equipment actuallypounds in 2007 getting behind their team in areas such
costs as they - often mistakenly - think such items areas tickets, merchandise, food, travel and programmes.
less expensive than furniture or jewellery.