Typical Scots family lifestyle: Focus is on early risers, shopping…and spag bol

The survey of 2,000 homes by energy management company AlertMe reveals the average Scots watches television for eight hours a day.

They get up at 6:53am and have everyone tucked up in bed by 10:36pm each night.

The typical Scottish family speaks to just three of their neighbours, enjoys a family outing once a month, and spends 82.50 a week on food and drink.

They generally have 3,706 in savings and, on a day-to-day basis, carry 21.42 in cash.

The average household has a mortgage but has paid off nearly 30 per cent of the balance.

The study has revealed the extent to which Scottish families worry about money, with 65 per cent saying they were shocked at the size of their household outgoings, while the majority fear utility bills will rise by 73 per cent over the next ten years.

Mary Turner, chief executive of AlertMe, said: "Without a doubt these have been testing times for everyone - especially families - and the recession has been a wake-up call, but this study shows that people are trying to spend within their means.

"However, in some areas such as household energy, they don't even have the visibility to help them manage their bills."

The survey also showed that families usually sit down for dinner at 5:41pm but, due to hectic lives, have an evening meal together just three nights a week and breakfast together only twice.

Many of those surveyed had a set meal for every night of the week with half having spaghetti bolognese on Mondays, 38 per cent eating pasta bake on Tuesdays, a quarter having chicken pie on Wednesdays, and 17 per cent tucking into cottage pie on Thursdays.

Take-away fish and chips remain a firm family favourite for Fridays, enjoyed by 21 per cent.

In half of the homes surveyed, as soon as dinner is finished the TV comes on, and the most popular "must watch" show is Dr Who.

While the average family admitted having the TV on for eight hours a day, almost half of parents said they spent no quality time together as a couple.

However, they do manage to meet friends at least once a fortnight.

They also spend about 15 a week on trips to the cinema, DVDs or games for the children.

However, that is dwarfed by the 71.49 weekly grocery bill, while a further 11.01 is spent on alcohol, be it from supermarkets or bars and pubs.

Despite this, parents save enough money for two family holidays a year, typically with one in the UK and one in Spain.

The study also found that Scottish mothers bear the brunt of household chores, doing on average four hours and 13 minutes a week, including five loads of laundry.