More than half of Irish adults have just €100 or less left each month once they've paid their essential bills.
But the number of people left with nothing at all has dropped by 24,200 to 493,800 since May 2013 according to a report from the Irish League of Credit Unions.
This year's second "What's Left" survey of 1,000 Irish adults also found that four in ten can't afford to pay their essential bills on time, inevitably sacrificing nights out (80%), holidays (74%) and clothing and footwear (73%) to pay them.
The latter half of 2013 does show continued signs of disposable income stabilisation, with disposable income increasing from €163 in May to €172 in September, a rise of 6%. However, this may drop as the cost of bills rise during the winter months.
Household spending
The September 2013 findings show that the average income per household after tax is €2,604, an average taken from both couples and single people.
The largest bill is mortgage repayments, with adults repaying a monthly average of €817. Rent (€458), electricity (€84) and gas (€66) follow.
Households spend €44 per month on UPC, Sky or other satellite television providers, €36 on mobile phones, €33 on a landline phone and €25 on internet access.
Interestingly, households still spend on monthly average of €15 on DVD rentals despite the increased popularity of internet-based streaming services such as Netflix.
Insurance
50% of Irish adults have switched insurance provider in the past 12 months. On receiving a renewal notice at the end of their contract, seven out of ten shop around for cheaper insurance quotes.
The report found that 52% believe pre-paid electricity services will end up costing more while 44% think it will give them more control over their usage.
Car, health and home insurance are considered most important by the Irish public.
Other noteworthy expenditure (of those who pay each bill)
- €268 in credit card repayments
- €262 in personal loans
- €37 for pet insurance
- €72 on nights out
- €38 on buying alcohol to drink at home
- €144 on petrol or diesel
