ONE in three millennial and Gen Z adults still have some of their bills and subscriptions paid for by their parents.
A poll of 1,000 adults aged 18 to 35 found 32 per cent still have their phone bill paid for by their mum and dad, while 35 per cent also use their logins to TV streaming services.
Other bills paid for by the bank of mum and dad include utility bills (30 per cent), housing costs (32 per cent) and even insurance policies (22 per cent).
It also emerged the cost-of-living crisis is biting for the younger generation, with those polled estimating their bills have risen on average by £154.49 since the start of 2023.
And parents contribute an average of £46.10 a month – or more than £550 a year – to their offspring’s coffers.
The research comes amid warnings that smartphone overpayments – when network providers don’t fully or automatically reduce bills once the cost of the phone has been paid – exceed more than £530 million a year.
Rob Orr, chief commercial officer at Virgin Media O2, which commissioned the study to warn parents they could be overpaying on their children’s phone bills, said: "In the current economic climate, people can ill afford to waste money paying for phones they already own.
“Whether you’re getting support from the bank of mum and dad or helping your kids, we’re urging everyone to check you’re not being charged for a phone that’s already been paid off.
“Many parents across the UK will be paying for multiple phone contracts so it’s crucial they avoid the pernicious practice of smartphone overpayments.”
The study also found 26 per cent of youngsters feel guilty about taking money from their parents, while 38 per cent worry they might cut back their financial support in the next year.
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Despite this 12 per cent expected their parents to help out financially.
Almost half (45 per cent) believe money went further in their parents’ generation, with 55 per cent believing it’s harder to get on the property ladder than it was 10 years ago.
However, millennials and Gen Z adults who don’t receive financial support are 40 per cent more likely to view mortgages as expensive today compared to those on the parental payroll.
They’re also 38 per cent more likely to describe inflation as too high compared with those who enjoy the extra budgetary backing.
It goes both ways though with 37 per cent of 18 to 35-year-olds paying for some of their parents’ bills or subscriptions, according to the research carried out via OnePoll.
TV streaming services such as Netflix (37 per cent), utility and phone bills (both 33 per cent) are among the most common things the younger generations cover for their parents.
The main drivers for this include being able to help and feeling like they should (38 per cent), wanting to show they love them, and wanting to give back (both 37 per cent) after their parents supported them growing up.
Rob Orr, from Virgin Media O2, which automatically reduces bills once the contract ends for phones bought directly from them, added: “With the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re only being charged for what you owe."
Following the findings, the brand has created an online mobile overpayment calculator.
TOP BILLS 18-35 YEAR-OLDS HAVE PAID FOR BY THEIR PARENTS
- TV streaming services
- Housing costs
- Phone bills
- Utility bills
- Insurance policies
- Car insurance
- Delivery services
- Clothes
- Sport subscriptions
- Music streaming services
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