Does it pay to be average?

But new official figures lay bare exactly how these little bits of cash on day-to-day goods and services can add up.

Average weekly household spending in the UK increased to £517.30 in 2013, compared with £501 in 2012, according to a report from the Office for National Statistics.

Of course, there are regional variations, and the typical weekly amount shelled out by a household is £505.40 in England, £438.80 in Wales, £449 in Scotland and £484.70 in Northern Ireland.

Digging further into the figures, the report gives some interesting insights into exactly how much of the average family's shopping list goes on certain items.

So, if you're a Mr or a Ms Average, your household will collectively spend 70p a week on coffee, 50p on tea, £7.10 on alcoholic drinks consumed while away from home, £1.80 on chocolate, £1 on potatoes, £6 on mobile phone fees, £4.20 on takeaways and £1.10 on live entertainment.

Some £5.60 a week is spent on bread, rice and cereals, £3.60 goes on buns, cakes and biscuits, while £2.20 goes on pet food.

Additionally, 80p is spent on toilet paper while £3.40 goes on beauty treatments and trips to the hairdresser.

The precise pricing doesn't stop there.

The Averages' weekly shopping list also includes £15.60 spent on meat and fish, £4.30 on fresh vegetables and £3.30 on fresh fruit.

They will spend £2 a week on women's shoes and £1.50 on footwear for men.

They spend £1.10 a week on underwear for women and 40p a week on underwear for men, 80p a week goes on clothes for boys, while 90p is put towards clothes for girls.

The biggest chunk of a family's weekly spend is swallowed up by housing, fuel and power.

More was spent by the average household last year in this category than on anything else, at £74.40 a week on average.

This was followed by transport-related spending, which amounted to £70.40 each week - around £15.70 a week is spent on petrol, while around £7.60 a week goes on diesel.

Mortgages, which are included in a separate, other expenditure items category, typically cost £145.40 a week last year for those that had them.

For those households who were renting, their rental costs amounted to £92.10 per week on average in 2013.

Across the UK, while household spending has increased on 2012 (when inflation is taken into account), it is still lower than in 2006, just before the financial downturn took hold, when households spent an average of £539.80 per week.

So what's the reason for this increase, which amounts to £16.30 between 2012 and 2013?

Well, one reason is some people who have been making do with older cars following the economic downturn finally decided to upgrade to a new vehicle last year.

This has helped to push up costs in its transport category.

Another factor is more people have turned to renting in recent years, which has also increased costs in the housing, fuel and power category.

One final aspect of families' outgoings is despite tough economic times in recent years, they have kept up their spending when it comes to enjoying their hobbies leisure time, perhaps in the quest for a bit of escapism. Recreation and culture was the third highest expenditure category in 2013, with around £63.90 spent on it a week last year by families.

This includes spending on TVs, computers, newspapers, books, leisure activities and package holidays - around £21 a week was typically spent on package holidays abroad last year, while £1.40 a week went on package holidays within the UK.

Mr and Ms Average also spent £2.30 a week last year enjoying trips to the cinema, theatre and museums, £5.50 on sports and £2.30 on games, toys and hobbies - whoever said budgeting can't be fun?

HOW CAN YOU... AVOID RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING THIS WINTER?

The colder weather brings increased risks of having a vehicle breakdown or an accident, so make sure you're prepared.

Research from Saga Motor Insurance among more than 10,000 people shows more than one in four people aged in their 50s expect to be taking on the role of taxi driver in December, ferrying their children or their grandchildren to festive events.

Here are Saga's tips for safe winter motoring:

:: Regular servicing is a must and check your oil and anti-freeze.

:: Check the tyres for tread depth and pressure and, if you can afford them, consider upgrading to winter tyres.

:: Prepare a breakdown kit - including a torch, bottled water, blanket, warm and waterproof clothing and a shovel. Include snacks in case you get stuck.

:: De-ice your car before you travel, ensure all windows are fully cleared and check your lights.

:: Finally, don't leave the car unlocked and running to defrost on the drive whilst you pop back inside for a hot cuppa - if it gets stolen while unattended you could find you're not covered by your insurance.

POUNDNOTES

Financial fact: The biggest debt hotspots in England and Wales where the highest concentrations of people are seeking help from Citizens Advice are Denbighshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Stoke-on-Trent, South Tyneside, Darlington and Salford.

The charity, which has helped almost half a million people with debt over the last year, made the hotspot findings after analysing the cries for help with debt that it received between July and September.

SOLITICORS TARGETED IN NEW TAX CLAMPDOWN

Solicitors are being given the chance by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to bring their tax affairs up to date or face tougher penalties.

The campaign is the latest initiative giving groups of taxpayers the chance to get their tax affairs in order voluntarily on the best terms available.

Previous campaigns, which have raised almost £1 billion so far, have included medical professionals, plumbers, tutors and coaches, electricians, online traders, landlords and health professionals.

Solicitors have until March 9 2015 to say they would like to take part and until June 9 2015 to disclose and pay the tax owed. By coming forward voluntarily, any penalties will be lower than if HMRC has to approach them.

POOR SAVINGS RETURNS PROMPT CASH WITHDRAWALS

More than two-fifths (43 per cent) of savers have raided their savings or investments to cover unplanned expenses in the past year.

The average amount withdrawn is equal to £1,373 per saver, according to research among more than 2,000 people from Prudential.

Food shopping, holidays and unexpected bills were the top reasons for raiding savings.

But 18 per cent of people said they would not have made unplanned withdrawals if they had received higher rates of return. A further one third of savers (32 per cent) would have withdrawn less money if their returns had been better.

BANK EXTENDS IPAD OFFER TO THOSE SETTING UP HOME

Lloyds Bank has extended an offer which gives first-time buyers and home movers an iPad to help keep them connected when they move into their new house.

Mortgage customers will receive an iPad mini 4G, which will be delivered to their home address within days of mortgage completion, so they can be online as soon as they are in their new home, Lloyds said.

The offer, which Lloyds said can be withdrawn at any time, excludes remortgages, buy-to-let, shared equity and shared ownership deals.

HIGH FIVE SAVERS

:: Phone/Website Rate Account Period Deposit Interest Paid

FirstSave www.firstsave.co.uk 3.25%(F) FixedRate 7YrBnd(W) £1,000 Yly

Secure Trust Bank www.securetrustbank.com 3.01%(F) FixedRate 31.01.20(B) £1,000 Yly

Yorkshire Bank Via Branch 3.00%(F) RetailTerm 5YrBnd £2,000 Yly

Shawbrook Bank www.shawbrook.co.uk 3.00%(F) FixedRate 5YrBnd(K) £5,000 Yly

Islamic Bank of Britain 0845 6060 786 1.81% NoticeCashIsa 120Day £250 Mly

TOP FIVE MORTGAGE RATES

:: Phone No Rate Period Max% Adv Fee Incentive

Norwich&Peterborough BS 0845 300 2522 1.74%F For 2Yrs 65% £195 Yes

Post Office 0800 077 8033 3.29%F to 31.12.16 90% - Yes

Tesco Bank 0845 051 8446 2.89%F to 28.2.20 75% £195 Yes

Coventry BS 0845 766 5522 4.19%F to 31.12.19 90% £800 Yes

Post Office 0800 077 8033 4.75%F to 31.12.16 95% - Yes

Code:

* - Introductory rate for a limited period F - Fixed H - Operated by internet or telephone K - Operated by internet, telephone or post B - Operated by post or telephone W - Operated by internet P - Operated by post D - Discounted rate V - Variable rate

:: Source: Moneyfacts moneyfacts.co.uk. 01603 476 476 (All rates subject to change without notice)

ends