A new study by Visa has revealed that over a third of UK university students consider managing bills the hardest part of being an adult, ranking higher than eating healthily, keeping house, or doing laundry.
The research found that 88% of students feel overwhelmed by the financial burden of adulthood. Common pain points include subscriptions and bills being higher than expected, missed payments due to lack of funds, and inability to pay for essentials like rent and groceries because of unexpectedly high charges.
Manual processes such as managing recurring bills through bank transfers contribute to the difficulty, according to Visa. The strain also causes tension between housemates, with bill payments sparking more arguments than cleanliness, noise, or chores.
Students expressed a desire for technology that simplifies bill management, greater flexibility with payment dates, and better understanding of payment terms and cancellation processes. The findings come amid a rise in Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) usage among Gen Z, with over half using such schemes for holidays and festival tickets.
In response, the UK government announced new rules in May 2025 to regulate BNPL products. Meanwhile, there is a push for financial literacy in schools, with Conservative MP Peter Bedford introducing a bill in Parliament to mandate financial education in primary and tertiary education.
