Socio-demographics, behaviour and spending habits of accounting students: Spending habits

Nolufefe Dlamini and Harold Ngalawa
Additional contact information
Nolufefe Dlamini: University of KwaZulu-Natal
Harold Ngalawa: University of KwaZulu-Natal

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 647-660

Abstract: The literature reveals that have poor spending habits arising from poor budgeting skills and lack financial knowledge, among others. However, it is unclear which individual lifestyles and attitudes influence the students' spending habits. This study, therefore, fills this gap with empirical evidence from accounting students in South Africa. Specifically, the study aims to investigate the existence of relationships between socio-demographic, attitudinal and lifestyle factors on the one hand and students' spending behaviour, on the other. Using an online structured questionnaire, we collected data from 290 accounting students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, which was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The study finds that socio-demographic factors such as students' age and parental income have the greatest influence on students’ spending habits. Students' spending habits were also found to be influenced by attitudinal factors such as confidence in investment decision-making and shopping for necessities. Finally, it was observed that living an extravagant lifestyle, which includes purchasing branded clothing, compulsive shopping, the latest cell phones, and excessive alcohol purchases, were the primary cause of students' poor spending habits. These findings primarily support the social learning theory, implying that parents and/or guardians play an important role in shaping their children's spending habits. Key Words: Attitudinal factors; Lifestyle factors; Socio-demographic factors; South Africa; Spending habits; University of KwaZulu-Natal

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ssbfnet.com/ojs/index.php/ijrbs/article/view/4468 (application/pdf)
https://ssbfnet.com/ojs/index.php/ijrbs/article/view/4468 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:14:y:2025:i:8:p:647-660

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) is currently edited by Prof.Dr.Umit Hacioglu

More articles in International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) from Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance Editorial Office,Baris Mah. Enver Adakan Cd. No: 5/8, Beylikduzu, Istanbul, Turkey. Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Umit Hacioglu ().