Mid-life makes a man... splash out

Motorbikes were among the impulse purchases.

Motorbikes were among the impulse purchases.

Published May 9, 2013

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London - It may be a cliche but a third of men in their forties and fifties have admitted to splashing out on a sports car because they’re suffering from a mid-life crisis, according to a new survey.

Thirty percent of the British men polled revealed their behaviour changed when they were coming to terms with getting old, resulting in impulse purchases, marriage splits and unusual hobbies.

Many of those questioned said they had been through what they saw as a “classic” mid-life crisis in a bid to recapture their youth – with sports cars and motorbikes topping the list of inappropriate buys.

Some had even resorted to surgery and others said they sought “a new wife”.

When asked what triggered their change in behaviour, the top responses were the death of a friend, family member or colleague, divorce and children growing up and leaving home.

Others said they had splashed out after paying off their bond – resulting in a larger disposable income – or simply for a desire to have more fun and “live a little”.

But it wasn’t all about splashing the cash. One man revealed he dropped everything so he could follow his favourite 1980s band on their reunion tour. Another said he took a year out to give something back by volunteering for charities.

But the survey, carried out on behalf of gentleman’s fashion and lifestyle website socked.co.uk, found there was also a sad side to the mid-life crisis for some.

About 10 percent of the 1 500 men polled admitted to suffering significant bouts of depression as they came to terms with their mortality. – Daily Mail

 

TOP MID-LIFE CRISIS PURCHASES

Sports car

Motorbike

Holidays

New wardrobe

“A new wife”

Pop concert tickets

Tattoo

Plastic surgery

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