Married couples save £2,500 on socialising

Married or cohabiting couples save £2,548 a year - by not going out.

According to a new survey by Morgan Stanley Credit Cards, settling down really means that married Britons have a night out just once a week.

This compares with three nights out a week for couples that do not live with each other, with singletons heading out twice a week.

But there were warnings for people thinking that breaking up will see them reclaim their social lives, as divorcees were found to be the least sociable group of all.

While married Britons spend £29 on their one night out a week, divorcees shell out an average of just £16 a week on socialising.

But if divorcees are the nation's least sociable people, the most active group is - predictably - teenagers.

Eighteen and 19-year-olds hit the town three times a week and spend almost £3,000 a year on their social lives.

British men also proved that chivalry is far from dead, spending more than twice as much as women while going out - presumably on drinks and meals for their better halves.

Thirty-somethings spend the most on a night out at £32, compared to the over-60s who will spend just £19 on an evening (which is still more than the average divorcee).

Regionally, residents of the North West were found to be the most sociable, spending an average of £2,704 a year. The least sociable place to live is the South West, where locals spend just £1,092 going out with family and friends.

And the sheer amount of money that the nation splashes on drinks and food has led to concern from Morgan Stanley.

While stopping short of telling Brits to get divorced, they offered some advice to make sure money did not create a strain on any relationships.

Patrick Muir, marketing director for the Morgan Stanley Credit Card, said: "Socialising can be expensive, especially if you are going out often and spending a large sum each time.

"Whilst it is important to spend time with family and friends, the cost of going out together can put a strain on our finances.

"It is important that we are clever about the way we spend our money."