British Gas helps customers save time and money with online tools 

British Gas research today reveals a rise in a new generation of busy mums or MADMINs (Mobile ADMINistrators) who admit to going online every hour to help feel more in control amidst the chaos of juggling family life.

The results prove mums are the most efficient multi-taskers. They are saving up to an hour a day by going online for routine daily tasks, such as, managing finances and paying energy bills at the same time as doing the housework (39%), whilst on the toilet (22%), pushing a buggy (10%) and seeing their children off at the school gates (7%).

British Gas is encouraging people to make the most of the internet for day to day chores, such as, managing energy bills to save time and hassle through the introduction of a new range of online tools.

The research shows 7 out of 10 mums are turning to the internet to cope with their increasingly hectic lives. But whilst mums spend the least amount of time online, they are the most efficient with their time especially when compared to the younger generation. Mums choose to focus on essential day to day tasks rather than entertainment or socialising with friends online.

Tim Copper, Digital Director, British Gas said: “We’re  helping our customers save time and hassle by giving them the tools they need to manage their energy online – freeing them up to spend time doing other things. From submitting meter readings to checking their balance really easily at the touch of a button, online or via our app, we’re making it easier customers to stay in control of their energy every day.”

Nikki Moore, digital expert and mum of two, says: “Our increasingly busy lifestyles, from keeping in touch with friends to juggling work and home life, have meant that mums need to pack to more than ever into each day.

“British Gas’ report shows that one of the best ways to stay in control of our busy lives is to maximize our time by going online. From managing finances and paying energy bills to staying in touch with friends and buying presents for their family, it’s no surprise that perhaps the busiest people of all – mums – have embraced the phenomenon more than anyone else.

“By making the most of down time when you’re on the bus or queuing at the supermarket to go online it’s possible to save up to an hour a day and at least £100 a year.”

The research also reveals mums across the UK are tirelessly committed to keeping home and family life as their top priority; 46% would use the extra time they had save by going online to tidy the home and 30% would spend it with their partner. 42% of mums prefer to use any money saved online to buy treats for their family and 38% would spend it on weekly essentials, like food or clothes – both double that of the national average.

Additional research results:

•  46% of mums are going online every few hours to complete day to day task, such as, booking appointments, checking/ paying bills, shopping etc.

• 7 out of 10 mums turning to the internet in a bid to manage their increasingly hectic lives – more than  any other demographic

• The most popular online tasks for mums are:
  • Buying presents / gifts for the family (86%)
  • Managing finances (84%)
  • Paying bills e.g. energy bills (84%)

• The most popular online task for tech savvy youngsters are
  • Catching up with friends on social media (85%)
  • Managing finances (83%)
  • Book tickets for cinema, holiday etc (80%)

• Overwhelmingly mums go online to complete day to day tasks to save time (68%) rather than money (42%)

• More than half of mums (54%) admit that without the technology, they wouldn’t be able to cope with the demands of their increasingly hectic lives

• 30% of mums even claim a lack of internet action for an extended period of time makes them feel anxious

Nikki Moore’s time and money savings:

Savings of up to an hour a day and at least £100 a year calculated using the following assumptions:

• Saving up to hour a day assumes:
  • Going online during a daily commute of 30 minutes a day (both directions) to pay bills, send emails, update social media etc – saving 30 minutes approx
  • Paying for direct debits for monthly energy, water, council tax, mobile phone, television license, credit card (assumes 6 bills at 30 minutes spent paying each bill per month = 180 minutes / month, when online payments and direct debits save approximately ten minutes per day) – saving 10 minutes approx
  • Updating social media while waiting for in queue for coffee – 10 minutes
  • Checking online banking while dropping kids off / picking kids up from school – saving 10 minutes approx

NB further savings can be made from other activity, such as, shopping online while watching TV, using twitter/ social media in the bath or on the toilet etc

•  Saving at least £100 a year assumes:   Paying energy bills with British Gas by direct debit – average annual saving of £67, using two for one vouchers for dinner out once every quarter at a saving of one main course at £15 per time – average annual saving £60

NB other ways to save include booking holidays online rather than at travel agents (approx £100 per year), cashing in on online shopping deals (or example Asda is offering £5 off every £45 shop) and getting groceries delivered using free or discounted home delivery so saving on petrol charges.