Supermarket expert shares hack to save £150 on Christmas shopping

With the cost of living crisis set to continue into the festive season, many families may be concerned over , with presents, food, and parties all contributing to a rather pricey December.

Luckily supermarket expert and Director of Richard Price has shared his top tips for saving money this holiday season.

His first tip is to set a strict budget and then pay with cash wherever possible. Richard explains: "Allocate a stringent budget for festive treats, stocking fillers and decorations, and stick to it.

"By defining a budget, you gain clarity over what you can comfortably afford without digging into funds set aside for essentials.

"Use cash whenever possible, as studies show that it helps people to stay within budget more effectively than using cards. Separate the cash into envelopes labelled for each type of spending, as the visual limit can be a powerful motivator to stay within bounds."

He further suggests making lists of what you need to buy and then being sure to stick to this, as this can help reduce temptation and help you avoid just wandering around the supermarket aisles looking for deals.

When it comes to shopping online, Richard advises making use of tools to pre-plan your purchase and then delay for 24 hours before actually buying, as this cooling-off period gives you time to assess if you really need to spend money or if it was just a impulse.

His third tip is to avoid high traffic shopping areas, explaining: "The environment can fuel impulse buys, especially during the holidays when stores are filled with festive displays and enticing seasonal offers.

"By avoiding high-traffic areas or minimizing trips to shops, you can cut down on spontaneous purchases that often seem like 'must-haves' in the moment. If online, avoid browsing gift or seasonal sections, which are designed to trigger last-minute purchases."

His final tip is to limit your exposure to adverts and Christmas marketing. Although this may be quite difficult, Richard suggests starting by unsubscribing from marketing emails or using browser ad-blockers to reduce temptations.

He finished: "Social media can also be a culprit in sparking impulse buys, so consider reducing time on platforms that showcase gift ideas or special offers. This way, you’ll only purchase what you need, rather than what’s constantly suggested."