With 3 in 10 Brits feeling negative about their financial situation, conversations around financial wellbeing have never been more important.
Credit card brand Aqua has updated its 2024 Financial Learnings and Mistakes report for 2025, surveying 5,000 Brits to explore how attitudes toward finances and credit scores have evolved over the past year, including how many are turning to AI for financial advice.
Sharvan Selvam, Aqua’s Commercial Director, also shares practical insights on how people can begin improving their credit scores and overall financial wellbeing.
You can find the full research here: https://www.aquacard.co.uk/building-better-credit/financial-learnings-and-mistakes-2025
46% of UK adults feel more confident about their finances this year than they did last year
Despite the tricky financial landscape the UK is currently facing, Aqua’s research found that just under half of Brits (46%) are feeling more confident about their finances than they did in 2024.
In 2025, the most common emotions toward money are ‘stable’ (20%), ‘content’ (16%), and ‘happy’ (12%). However, despite these positive sentiments, some of the UK population still feel unsure about their finances. The survey revealed that feelings of stress have risen slightly, from 5% in 2024 to 9% in 2025; additionally, 10% feel anxious.
For Brits already feeling uncertain about their finances, having a low credit score can add to the strain. Among the 37% of Brits who have or have had a bad credit score, 14% said it makes them worried about the future and 13% cited feeling stressed.
However, a bad credit score doesn’t have to be a lasting challenge, and there are simple ways to improve it. After boosting their credit score, many Brits say they feel a lot more positive. The most common reaction is relief (23%), followed by feeling more in control (17%). Sharvan Selvam, Commercial Director at Aqua, says, “Improving your credit score might not always be top of mind, but it plays an important role in helping you reduce financial stress.”
Sharvan continues, “It’s incredibly encouraging to see so many people feeling more empowered and confident as a result of taking steps to boost their credit score, and that nearly a quarter of those we surveyed expressed a sense of pride in doing so. Building a stronger credit score is possible with small steps such as making credit repayments on time, which can be made easier by setting up a direct debit or repayment reminders.”
Almost half (45%) of Brits cite not planning for retirement as their biggest financial mistake
With only 22% of UK adults claiming they’ve never made a financial mistake, it is evident that most people encounter some form of challenge at some point when managing their money.
Among those who admit to making a financial error, not planning for retirement is considered the biggest mistake, with just under half (45%) of Brits identifying it as such. Accumulating debt through credit cards is the second greatest financial mistake (40%), and spending outside means ranks in third (38%).
Interestingly, 34% of Brits also state that losing money on the crypto/NFT hype was their biggest mistake, highlighting how important it is to be well-informed on financial topics and seek guidance from reliable sources.
Investing and retirement planning top the list of finance topics Brits wish they knew more about
The ability to invest and plan for retirement are the financial topics Brits most wish they had learned about sooner, each cited by 17% of respondents. A further 15% wish they had understood the benefits of investing earlier, highlighting a clear knowledge gap when it comes to making informed financial decisions.
Understanding the importance of saving for retirement also ranks joint second among the things Brits wish they had known sooner, emphasising the need for greater education around retirement planning.
22% of 21–24 year olds are more likely to go to social media than banks for financial guidance
While 77% of people surveyed actively seek guidance on finances, the most common source overall remains friends and family (18%). However, younger Brits are increasingly looking beyond traditional channels: 22% of 21-24 year olds get financial advice from social media platforms like TikTok, surpassing banks (15%) and professional advisers (7%).
AI tools are also gaining traction among younger adults, with 67% of 25-34-year-olds and 53% of 21-24-year-olds using ChatGPT or similar platforms for financial guidance. In contrast, only 10% of those aged 55+ rely on AI tools, highlighting a clear generational shift in how people access financial information.
You can find more information from the wider study here: https://www.aquacard.co.uk/building-better-credit/financial-learnings-and-mistakes-2025