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