Mintel’s research has consistently found that attitudes and behaviour towards work, life and leisure change considerably after the onset of the three major long-term responsibilities, namely marriage, mortgages and parenthood. This is largely due to the sudden change in money and time available for individuals and families as well as the added pressure of maintaining financial security.

In previous reports, such as the Grey Market – Irish Special, July 2004, Mintel has examined the lifestyles of adults over the age of 45 years who are emerging from the tunnel of long-term responsibility. In addition, the upcoming Finances of Parents – Irish Finance, June 2006 will look at the financial situation and leisure habits of adults caught in the middle of these responsibilities. This report, and its counterpart Finances of Young People – Irish Finance, May 2006, focus on the leisure, spending and financial lifestyles of adults aged under 34 years who are in the Pre-family lifestage.

Generally, this young-adult lifestage is marked by change. Between the ages of 15 and 34, people usually finish their formal education, move out of their parents’ homes and establish their own households, enter the workforce, marry, and have children. This means that the needs and interests of young adults change, sometimes rapidly.

However, it is also a period during which buying patterns and preferences are developed and when these adults really start to exercise their independent spending power. Consequently, this is a critical market for many businesses, either because these consumers are currently the major purchasers of certain goods and services, or because they will be an important element of the customer base in the future.

This report focuses adults in the pre-family lifestage and includes all under 35’s adults who have not yet become parents. Mintel refers to this group as the ‘Young and Carefree’ adults as they are generally not likely to have any long term responsibilities. This report looks at what they do during their leisure time and what they spend their money on, while also charting how some of these behaviours have changed and will change in the future.

In addition, it is recommended that this report be read alongside its companion title, Finances of Young People – Irish Finance, May 2006, which focuses on why these young adults have such poor attitudes towards finance and saving as well as looking at their general attitudes towards spending money. It is hoped that the combination of these two reports will provide professionals with a complete picture of the interplay between money and leisure among these young consumers.