Brits struggle with ‘adulting’ tasks like cooking and getting around without Google Maps

THE top ‘adulting’ tasks Brits are underequipped for include fixing appliances, getting to grips with a toolbox – and even cooking from scratch.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 30 per cent admit they don’t know where to start when it comes to filing taxes and 23 per cent haven’t got a clue about basic life admin like understanding contracts.

Also making the list is being out of their depth with flatpack furniture (20 per cent), and understanding interest rates (17 per cent).

While 16 per cent even feel underprepared in the art of negotiating, according to the survey commissioned by Compare the Market.

It also emerged 68 per cent of young adults feel their grandparents ‘adulted’ better than them, while 61 per cent overall their schooling didn’t teach them the skills needed to adult.

When asked which modern ‘adulting’ tasks they find most tiresome, 26 per cent of Gen Z believe replying to WhatsApp messages tops the list and 25 per cent admitted keeping up with the endless stream of TikToks from friends is just as exhausting.

This was followed by keeping on top of subscriptions (24 per cent) and actually cooking rather than hitting a delivery app (22 per cent).

Charlie Evans, money expert at the comparison site, said: “There’s a lot of uncertainty when it comes to adulthood and taking on ‘adult’ tasks for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially with the pressures of today’s modern society.

“When making big decisions such as how to budget for the month or which broadband provider to choose, there’s no one-size fits all as every circumstance is different.”

It also emerged 59 per cent of Gen Zs still rely on parents to pick up the odd bill – including mobile phones (46 per cent) and rent or mortgage payments (35 per cent).

While others are getting them to chip in for food shopping (27 per cent) and even travel insurance (17 per cent).

Gen Zs are also catching up on the realities of adulthood – 24 per cent admitted they didn’t realise electricity bills had to be paid, while 31 per cent thought water was free until they became adults.

Overall, this left 58 per cent of those polled wishing they had been taught how to apply for a mortgage, either at school or at home.

And 56 per cent could have done with being taught about taking out insurance before hitting adulthood.

Charlie Evans from Compare the Market added: “We make adulting simples, making comparison feel effortless and giving you time back to live life to the fullest.”