One-third of consumers say financial mistakes have caused increased stress

Recent research by Aqua revealed that nearly one-third of consumers (30%) say that financial mistakes have caused increased stress and that 41% of consumers feel negatively about their financial situation. With a challenging financial backdrop in the UK, it’s more important than ever to ensure that people receive financial information from trusted sources.

The data showed that financial advisors are the most common source of financial information and advice in the UK, with 35% of people saying they get their information from this source

In the UK, 35% of adults turn to financial advisors for personalised guidance, reflecting a widespread trust in professional insights for managing money. Meanwhile, popular TV programs like The Martin Lewis Money Show have become household staples, with 29% of consumers relying on them for clear, straightforward financial advice.

For younger generations, however, friends and family are the primary go-to, with 30% of 18-24 year-olds and 32% of 25-34 year-olds seeking financial tips from their personal networks—a testament to the strong influence of close connections in early adulthood. As people get older, their preferences shift; 36% of 35-44 year-olds turn to financial advisors, while those aged 45-54 favour the practical advice offered by TV shows (33%).

Adding a new dimension to the financial landscape, social media platforms are rapidly becoming key resources for financial information, especially for younger adults. Nearly 1 in 10 consumers (9%) now consult sites like YouTube for financial advice, while another 9% look to finance influencers. While influencers can engage younger audiences and spark financial curiosity, it’s important to ensure that the guidance they provide is accurate and trustworthy.

Financial advisors top the list of trusted financial information sources, with eight in ten consumers relying on their advice

Even with the rise of online influencers, financial advisors remain the most trusted source for financial information, with 80% of people considering them highly reliable. Close behind, TV programs like The Martin Lewis Money Show earn the trust of 79% of consumers offering straightforward advice in an accessible format. Friends and family also play a key role in financial guidance, with 70% of respondents trusting those closest to them for advice.

Interestingly, despite social media sites like YouTube ranking in the top 10 places people get their financial advice, it doesn’t quite make it into the top most trusted sources. Only 26% of consumers say they trust YouTube, and even less say they trust Instagram (17%), X (16%), Facebook (15%) and TikTok (15%).

Sharvan Selvam, Commercial Director at Aqua said  “When it comes to managing your money and making financial decisions, using credible sources is essential. Misinformed decisions can lead to costly mistakes, so it’s important to rely on established, reputable sources of information – such as FCA-regulated financial professionals.”

Rank	Resource	% of people who think this source is trustworthy
1	Financial advisor	80%
2	TV programmes (e.g. Martin Lewis Money Show)	79%
3	Friends and family	70%
4	Finance books	67%
5	Online articles from finance institutions	65%
6	School/university	62%
7	Online courses/workshops	58%
8	Online news articles	53%
9	Magazines, newspapers and journals	52%
	Budgeting and investment apps	52%
10	Finance blogs or forums	50%

Rank	Resource	% of people who get their financial info from here
1	Financial advisor	35%
2	TV programmes (e.g. Martin Lewis Money Show)	29%
3	Friends and family	28%
4	Online articles from finance institutions	20%
5	Not sure / nowhere in particular	17%
	Online news articles	17%
6	Finance blogs or forums	16%
7	Magazines, newspapers and journals	12%
8	Budgeting and investment apps	11%
9	Finance books	10%
10	YouTube	9%
	Finance influencer	9%