Miss Responsible meet Lady Luck

Just over half of all respondents (both men and women) agreed that 'women are more responsible with money than men'. Perhaps not surprisingly there is a significant difference across gender - 61% of women think the fairer sex is more responsible but only 40% of men agree.

The highest level of agreement was found in Mexico with an overall 72%, comprised of 82% women and 62% men.

Evelyn Jabiles, Managing Director of Synovate in Mexico, was not overly surprised. "Mexican women commonly play the role of home administrators, handing out money for utilities, rent, credit cards, school and medical fees and so on. They know what's coming in, and what's going out.

"Women here tend to think of men as 'big spenders' and somewhat irresponsible."

Tony Smith, the head of Synovate UK's Financial & Business Services Research group, thought it was interesting that so many men agreed with the women who felt more responsible (in the UK's case 58% of women agreed with the statement and 42% of men).

"This sense that women have of being more responsible with money than their men is reflected in the results from another question - British women are significantly less likely to feel it is important to have a joint account with their partner (48% versus 62%). Perhaps these ladies like to keep their hands on the purse strings...?"

It appears many women like to be in control, but some take their chances as well. Thirteen percent of women across the markets surveyed buy lottery tickets or enter raffles and competitions in an effort to become financially independent or maintain that status.

Women who wager were most likely to be found in Australia, where 35% 'have a go', or the UK where 31% join them.

Synovate Australia's Managing Director, Julie Beeck, says: "The Australian market for lottery products is mature, with a high incidence of participation. The dream of winning big and changing your life overnight is very much alive... and even more so in such uncertain economic times."

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> Why women?

> Sisters doing it for themselves

> Breadwinning broads or ladies who lunch?

> Man the head of the house?

> Credit where it's due

> About the Synovate Women's Financial Independence global survey