"Me-spending" on the increase
New research suggests that high street spending is still seen as one of the main routes to personal happiness.
Findings obtained by the Morgan Stanley Card Index reveal that the average Briton shelled out over £166 on treats for themselves over the last three months of 2005, amounting to £7.8 billion in credit card expenditure.
Twenty-somethings appear to be the most indulgent, spending 44 per cent more than the national average for their own gratification.
Personal shopping took up 62 per cent of all credit card payments for this age group, compared to 43 per cent splashed out by the average Briton.
'Despite reports of a quiet end to 2005 on the high street, our research shows that Britons still found time for the occasional self-indulgent purchase,' said Patrick Muir, marketing director for the Morgan Stanley credit card.
'Over the past few years we have observed a growing trend in using credit cards for making everyday purchases, but they also remain a popular way for people to treat themselves before pay day.'
So-called 'Me Spending' was strongest in the south-east, where the average consumer parted with £226, while citizens of the west Midlands were the most frugal, spending only £72 over the final quarter. | 
