Friends more important than money | Northern Rivers Lifestyle News | Health, Fashion, Food and Wine in Northern Rivers

iStockphoto.com/tepic

Poll

What is most important to you?

• Money
• Fitness
• Family
• Friends
• Career
• or view results

QUALITY relationships are more important to Australians than financial security, health and fitness, or career success, a survey has found.

However, most Australians spend more time checking their finances or exercising, than making time to spend with friends, according to the Nescafe relationship survey.

The study found that 47 per cent of the 1002 Australians surveyed considered quality relationships as most important to their lives, while 31 per cent said health and fitness was their priority.

Nearly 20 per cent of respondents rated financial security as most important and just two per cent said career success was their main priority in life.

Respondents said the major reason that they spent less time with friends than they would like was lack of time.

The study found that 69 per cent of people surveyed dedicated time to checking finances each week, while 53 per cent spent time exercising and 47 per cent of people surveyed said they dedicated time to catching up with friends each week.

Psychologist and vice president of Relationships Australia Anne Hollonds said it was important people remember to invest time in special relationships, just as they would their work commitments or exercise regime.

"It can be as simple as a 30-minute catch-up over a coffee to spark great conversation and quality time with those important to you," Ms Hollonds said.

The survey also found that 62 per cent of Australians that are in a relationship would like to spend more time with their partner than they currently do.

Ms Hollonds said her tips for a better relationship included making it a priority, dealing with differences as they emerge and learning how to resolve disagreements without damaging the relationship.