Latest news with #Boughton
North Wales Live
5 days ago
- North Wales Live
Gen Z's summer bucket list includes five festivals and four trips abroad - but on a budget
A recent survey has revealed that Gen Z's ideal summer would comprise attending five festivals and taking four trips abroad, all on a budget of less than £1,000. Their dream schedule also includes seven beach days and four staycations during the sunniest three months of the year. For a brave quarter of the demographic, a trip to a theme park is an essential part of their summer plans. However, financial limitations are a worry for 79 per cent, casting uncertainty over their ability to fulfil every item on their bucket list. Consequently, many are looking at budget-friendly travel strategies to make their money go further. Quality transportation between events is considered vital by three quarters of those surveyed. This is because they value comfort during lengthy journeys and believe it sets the mood for a successful trip. This useful tool from National Express demonstrates how you can maximise your festival experiences, on a budget. Simply enter your postcode and your favourite party companion's, and it will display all the summer festivities you could be attending. According to John Boughton, the commercial director for National Express who led the study, young individuals face significant financial constraints. He said: "While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what's actually doable." With hundreds of UK festivals and events at their disposal, the biggest deterrent is often the costs associated with these entertainment-filled weekends, which can easily amount to hundreds of pounds. Boughton observed, "That's why we're seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending-being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key." Further research findings indicate that Gen Z plan to attend an average of six barbecues and six seaside fish-and-chip outings this summer. Additionally, 29 per cent wish they could allocate more funds for dining out or ordering takeaways, if only to avoid cooking. However, the survey highlights that 72 per cent view enjoying the summer as a luxury. Despite this, 43 per cent still believe it's more important to have fun in the sun. John added: "Ultimately, Gen Z aren't prepared to sit the summer out. They're finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer. "This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility-and they're making it work, one plan at a time."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Gen Z's summer bucket list includes five festivals and four trips abroad - but on a budget
Gen Z's summer bucket list includes five festivals and four trips abroad - but on a budget A study of 2,000 18-24 year-olds has revealed what the nation's youth really want to get up to during the summer months A dream summer would include going to five festivals (Image: Getty Images ) A recent survey has revealed that Gen Z's ideal summer would comprise attending five festivals and taking four trips abroad, all on a budget of less than £1,000. Their dream schedule also includes seven beach days and four staycations during the sunniest three months of the year. For a brave quarter of the demographic, a trip to a theme park is an essential part of their summer plans. However, financial limitations are a worry for 79 per cent, casting uncertainty over their ability to fulfil every item on their bucket list. Consequently, many are looking at budget-friendly travel strategies to make their money go further. Quality transportation between events is considered vital by three quarters of those surveyed. This is because they value comfort during lengthy journeys and believe it sets the mood for a successful trip. This useful tool from National Express demonstrates how you can maximise your festival experiences, on a budget. Simply enter your postcode and your favourite party companion's, and it will display all the summer festivities you could be attending. According to John Boughton, the commercial director for National Express who led the study, young individuals face significant financial constraints. He said: "While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what's actually doable." Article continues below Only 15 per cent think it's important to sensible with money in the summer months (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) With hundreds of UK festivals and events at their disposal, the biggest deterrent is often the costs associated with these entertainment-filled weekends, which can easily amount to hundreds of pounds. Boughton observed, "That's why we're seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending-being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key." Further research findings indicate that Gen Z plan to attend an average of six barbecues and six seaside fish-and-chip outings this summer. Additionally, 29 per cent wish they could allocate more funds for dining out or ordering takeaways, if only to avoid cooking. However, the survey highlights that 72 per cent view enjoying the summer as a luxury. Despite this, 43 per cent still believe it's more important to have fun in the sun. John added: "Ultimately, Gen Z aren't prepared to sit the summer out. They're finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer. Article continues below "This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility-and they're making it work, one plan at a time."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State Dept. of Revenue Services ready for Tax Day
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — On 'Tax Day,' the commissioner of the state's Department of Revenue Services urged residents to file their taxes and utilize the resources his department offers to address any questions about the process. 'We want you to file,' Commissioner Mark Boughton said. 'We want you to file because we probably owe you money and if we owe you money, we don't want it. We want to give it back to you.' Connecticut lawmakers propose tax on sweetened beverages On the topic of tax refunds, Boughton said that some filers might see a slight delay in receiving their money because of a new fraud detection system the state is utilizing. The system is thorough, Boughton said, sometimes so much so that filers who are not actually committing fraud are flagged for review. Changes in address, for example, could trigger a review which in turn could contribute to a delayed refund. 'When we do that, it's to protect your refund, not to hold it back,' Boughton said of the additional scrutiny on some filers. 'It does mean that we're gonna probably delay you by a couple weeks.' For filers who waited until Tuesday, Boughton said his office staffed customer service lines beyond their normal operating hours. Boughton himself mans the help line occasionally. As some filers wait for their refunds, lawmakers in Hartford are eagerly awaiting tax revenue figures as they craft a two-year state budget. 'We're gonna look to see how our revenues are doing,' State Sen. Heather Somers, the top Republican senator on the legislature's budget-writing committee, said. 'Are they increasing? Are they staying flat based on our projections?' The state's tax revenues are of particular interest this year as Connecticut leaders wait to see what the federal government's own budget has in store. Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are eyeing more than a trillion dollars of federal spending reductions. 'It will give us some indication about what our resources are to both backfill the federal cuts and perhaps increase spending in certain target areas that we think are important,' State Sen. Martin Looney, the Democratic State Senate president, said of the state's tax receipts. Connecticut lawmakers are also considering a number of new taxes and fees in the current legislative session including a fee on meal deliveries and a tax on sweetened beverages that would be used to fund free school meals. State Sen. Looney is advocating for a new one percent capital gains tax on top earners. As far as any new or raised taxes on middle class families, Looney said, 'No, absolutely not.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
