CASH-TIGHT Asda shoppers have set a £30 limit at the till as they ask cashiers to stop scanning items.
The supermarket has reported customers watching the pennies at the checkout as they try to avoid going over budget.
Plan ahead and you can ease money worries at the checkout
And Tesco has said shoppers at it’s stores are doing the same thing.
It comes as millions of households face the cost of living crisis, which has seen inflation soar by more than 9%.
With income squeezed because of rising bills, ranging from food and fuel to energy bills, people are looking to cut back where they can.
And when it comes to your food shopping that could be simpler than you think – from keeping an eye out for deals or setting a contactless limit on your card.
Here are some handy ways you can avoid going over your budget when you’re doing your next grocery shop.
Take cash
Take cash only – there’s no easier way to avoid overspending.
This way you don’t have to worry about interest rates, and you can clearly separate your food money from your bills.
And it’s easier to see what you can afford with cash in front of you – there’s no confusion over what you can afford and you won’t be tempted either.
Set a contactless limit
It’s very easy to tap or swipe your card with no real thought about how much you’re spending.
Although you can spend up to £100 with one tap, most cards allow you to set a lower limit.
Lloyds Banking Group, which runs Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland is giving shoppers the power to set their own spending cap.
By lowering your personal limit, there’s a smaller chance of theft and you can stop yourself from splashing out when you know you can’t afford it.
RBS, NatWest, Santander and TSB also have similar policies and changes can be made on their apps, online or over the phone.
Get in touch with your bank today to ask how to lower your spending limit.
Use a scanner when you shop
Lots of supermarkets now have scan-as-you-go apps which allow you to count up your spending as you go round.
Stores including Asda, Tesco and Morrisons have apps or hand-held scanners at the entrance to help you tally up those costs before you reach the till.
This is a great way to make sure there are no nasty surprises at the checkout – you wouldn’t want to bite off more than you can chew.
You’ll need to download the app and sign up to use a scanner, but don’t worry, it’ll only take a few minutes.
Asda have also launched a new budget friendly Smart Price range with prices designed to lower your household spending.
‘Just Essentials By Asda’ comprises of 293 products in bright yellow packaging – so you won’t miss it.
The new range includes all key categories including fresh meat, fish and poultry, bakery, frozen and all cupboard staples.
For more on how to budget, create your own budget planner or ask your bank for spending advice.