I’m a money saving expert, supermarkets use loads of clever tricks to make you spend extra, here’s how to avoid them

DURING the cost of living crisis all of us are trying to save as much as possible.

But no matter how savvy your shopping list is you could be falling for clever supermarket ploys that will make you spend more according to insiders.

Money-saving expert and director of online supermarket Richard Price has given his top tips on what to look out for at the supermarkets and how to avoid spending extra.

He says: “Here are a few clever ways supermarkets get you to spend more and how as a consumer you can avoid this.”

Growing carts 

Over the years supermarket trolleys have grown in size! 

The larger the cart, the more likely you’ll end up spending more, so try to stick to a handbasket instead. Research found that when the size of the cart doubled, consumers bought 40% more.

Items at the tills 

Whilst you’re waiting in line you’ll notice all the chocolate and sweet stuff is placed there for you to pick up while you wait. 

Try and use self-service tills that have a faster checkout time or set yourself a challenge to not buy anything placed at the tills.

Pre-cut vegetables and fruits 

Precut food looks so attractive, with its colourful packaging and promise of less work. However, when you see pre-cut produce, think about the price difference and double-check, as it’s normally more expensive.

Fragrant items in the front 

Flowers and other pleasant-smelling items like baked goods are often put in the front of the supermarket, so you’ll be smelling them when you first walk in. 

This will also trigger your salivary glands, making you more prone to impulse buys. Make sure to eat before you shop as this will avoid buying anything due to hunger.

Products at eye level 

Items that are placed at eye level on the shelves tend to be pricier name-brand goods, which are the products the supermarkets want you to buy. Check out the lower shelves for similar items that have lower prices and fewer markups.

Music 

Supermarkets tend to play slower music to give a calm no rush atmosphere leaving you in the store for a lot longer. 

To battle this when you are doing your weekly shop make sure to set yourself a time to carry out the shop (an hour is a great starting point) 

Eggs 

Supermarkets keep their eggs in strange places around the store so you have to go down the aisles looking for them. 

To help make a list at the start of your shop and don’t buy anything else even when you are looking for other produce!