- As Mother’s Day approaches, new research highlights that the most enduring inheritance many of us receive isn’t a family heirloom, but a “financial script”
- Inherited financial confidence isn’t just about how much money parents had or have – it’s about the path they showed
- Although parents pass down money values, the ever changing complex financial landscape means UK adults are still lacking money confidence which could be having a negative impact on their futures
- To help, Moneybox has partnered with Professor of Psychology, Adrian Furnham and Financial Coach, Clare Seal, to help people become more confident with their money
As Mother’s Day prompts UK adults to reflect on the financial lessons they learned growing up, new research from Moneybox reveals the lasting influence parents and the environment children grew up in have on attitudes to money.
More than a quarter of respondents (28%) say their parents were financially stable and able to cover small, unexpected costs, albeit with few luxuries, while 16% grew up with enough to meet essential needs but little capacity to save. However, the study also highlights financial pressure for some households, with more than one in ten (13%) saying they regularly witnessed their parents struggling to make ends meet.
The new study into the psychology of money by Moneybox shows that attitudes towards wealth in the UK are rarely accidental. More often, they are shaped by lessons learned at the kitchen table, or conversations overheard decades ago that continue to influence financial confidence well into adulthood. Inherited financial confidence is not simply about how much money parents had, but the example they set.
The top 10 money values and attitudes UK adults say their parents taught them:
- Never live beyond your means – 41%
- Be cautious with money; financial security comes first – 30%
- You should always have a financial safety net – 26%
- Money is hard to come by, so you must hold on to it – 19%
- Planning ahead is the only way to stay in control of your finances – 18%
- Money isn’t something people openly discuss – 16%
- Money gives you the freedom to choose your own path – 15%
- It’s nice to own nice things – 12%
- Money is there to be enjoyed – 10%
- Life is short – live it to the fullest – 10%
Prof of Psychology, Adrian Furnham who worked alongside Moneybox for this study suggests this highlights a link to childhood and parents may not even know.
“Our financial behaviour is deeply complex and often rooted in habits formed long before we opened our first bank account. From childhood pocket money, to observing the behaviour of parents, relatives and teachers, we absorb ‘money-grams’ — subconscious messages that form a script that stays without even realising. These scripts help determine our relationship with money.
“For example, children may notice their parents argue over how money is spent, or how it is used as an incentive or observe that their parents do not talk about it openly. So many of our money beliefs and behaviours stem from early childhood experiences many of us have forgotten, but our subconscious brain has not.”
More than a third of respondents (36%) say the influence their parents had on their finances has been broadly positive, giving them a strong foundation, while a similar proportion (31%) describe the impact as mixed or neutral.
However, despite parents’ best efforts, many adults today still lack financial confidence, reflecting a financial landscape that has become more complex and uncertain over time. The research shows that more than a third (35%) want to feel more in control of their finances but admit they do not know where to start. Almost half (46%) lack confidence in investing or building long-term wealth, and one in four (25%) say they have avoided financial risks that could have created opportunities.
Money worries are also taking an emotional toll. More than one in five say thinking about their finances makes them feel anxious (21%) or stressed (21%), while others report feeling overwhelmed (16%) or nervous (16%). In total, 40% experience financial stress at least once a month, most commonly driven by rising everyday costs (50%) and unexpected bills or emergencies (34%).
To help consumers feel more confident with their money, Moneybox has partnered with Professor of Psychology, Adrian Furnham and Financial Coach, Clare Seal.
Prof Furnham explains how positive thinking about money can help to improve financial confidence.
“The famous saying goes ‘whether you believe you can or can’t, you’re right’. The power of positive thinking is surprising and it manifests itself in reality. People might grow up thinking they ‘aren’t good’ with money so just ignore it. However, by challenging that thinking you can improve your outcomes.
The first thing to do to have a healthier relationship with money is to understand your particular style or archetype. We have developed a simple test for this. The next step is to change various beliefs and behaviours which are holding you back. It is clear that so many people are too psycho-logical and not logical enough about their money…..but this can be changed.”
Clare Seal, Financial Coach said: “I know all too well the importance of becoming money confident. By slowly working my way out of £27,000 in debt, I know confidence isn’t necessarily about making thousands; it’s about regularly engaging with money. It starts with understanding your full financial picture, from day-to-day budgeting to longer term planning and recognising that progress isn’t always linear and that setbacks aren’t a sign of failure.
“As a Mum I regularly talk to my children (even though they are young) about money. I fully believe that being open and honest will help them become more money confident and we can show the next generation the way forward.”
For future generations AI could play a pivotal role in financial confidence. Expert-led, AI powered tool like Moneybox’s Aurora, can help people feel less overwhelmed, make informed choices and plan for the future with greater confidence. Giving timely prompts, practical guidance and accessible support can make a real difference.
ENDS
Methodology
Consumer research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Moneybox from 4th to 10th December 2025 amongst 4,000 UK Adults, weighted to be nationally representative on the basis of age / gender / region.
About Moneybox:
Moneybox is an award-winning wealth management platform on a mission to give everyone the means to get more out of life. Launched in 2016 by Ben Stanway and Charlie Mortimer, Moneybox has grown rapidly and now supports a community of over 1.6 million customers with more than £18 billion in assetsAn asset is anything that holds value and which can be bought and sold freely. under administration. The platform brings together saving, investing, home-buying, and retirement services—alongside powerful tools and educational content—to help people build wealth throughout life, no matter their starting point.
Moneybox is recognised as one of the UK and Europe’s fastest growing tech companies, acknowledged in the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 list for six years in a row (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) The Times Tech 100 (2025, 2026) and the FT 1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies (2023, 2024 and 2025). In October 2024, Moneybox announced a c.£70m secondary investment valuing the business at £550m, an 84% increase since its Series D round in March 2022.