Psychologists reveal 8 ways to save money which you’d never think of & reveal wearing high heels to supermarket is key

COUNTING your pennies is vital now, as experts say most households will be more than £100 poorer this Christmas than they were last year.

But the good news is that there are psychological hacks to trick your brain into saving cash.

GettyIf you want to stash the cash, wear your stilettos to the shops[/caption]

From tottering on high heels to putting your credit card in the freezer, Tanith Carey reveals eight science-based tricks to fool your brain into saving cash . . . 

High heels to go shopping

IF you want to stash the cash, wear your stilettos to the shops.

Researchers at America’s Brigham Young University found that when women wear high heels, they put so much effort into balancing that they become more careful about how they spend money, too.

The study for the Journal of Marketing Research revealed that the increased concentration made women more likely to weigh up their options and buy products that were better value as well.

Just be careful you don’t end up spending your savings on blister plasters.

Put credit card on ice

TO slow down your impulse buying, put some “friction” between you and your purchases.

In other words, make spending more difficult so your brain has time to think if it’s really a sensible decision.

One way to do this is by following money-saving guru Martin Lewis’s advice: Put your credit card in a plastic container of water, then pop it in the freezer to make an ice cube.

This means you will have to defrost the ice, or smash through it, before you use your card again, making you less likely to have a moment of weakness.

GettyShoppers who have one hand free when they push their trolley spend 25 per cent more than those who keep both hands firmly on the handle[/caption]

Step away from the coffee

DYING for a caffeine hit before the shops? Save it for afterwards.

Researchers at the University of South Florida found that consumers who have a coffee first spend about 50 per cent more, whether they are on the high street or shopping online.

Study leader Prof Dipayan Biswas said: “Caffeine releases dopamine in the brain, which excites the mind and the body.

“As a result, caffeine intake leads to shopping impulsivity in terms of higher number of items purchased and greater spending.”

If you simply can’t resist, stick to making your coffee at home.

A report by the Beans Coffee Club found that drinkers now spend an average of £530 a year on takeaway coffees.

Say yes to stress

THINKING about the most stressful time of your life has been found to dramatically reduce the amount you spend.

According to research in the Journal of Marketing Research, stressed consumers buy less, and if they do spend, they are more likely to buy essentials rather than luxuries.

This is all thanks to the stress hormone cortisol, which triggers the fight-or-flight response and makes us think about what we really need to survive.

Kristina Durante, associate professor of marketing at Rutgers Business School in the US, says that when people feel stressed, they “lock down and enter survival mode and protect resources as a means to ensure survival”.

GettyFreeze your credit card to avoid spontaneous spending[/caption]

Both hands on the trolley

IT might sound random, but shoppers who have one hand free when they push their trolley spend 25 per cent more than those who keep both hands firmly on the handle.

Researchers reckon it’s because it’s easier to pop products into the trolley.

Prof Zachary Estes, who led the study at City University’s Bayes Business School, London, said: “It was shocking to find that making a small change could have such a large impact on shoppers’ spending.”

Don’t talk to the sales assistants

FROM claiming they’re offering a once-in-a-lifetime deal to convincing you their product will transform your life, salespeople know all the tricks to make you buy.

But the best way to hold on to your cash in the face of a high-pressure pitch is to hold your tongue, rather than say you’re not interested.

“One of the most powerful things you can do is simply be quiet,” says Lars Perner, assistant professor of clinical marketing at the University of Southern California.

“When you don’t show any reaction, the salesperson will think their pitch isn’t working and give up.”

GettyCoffee can make you less cautious with spending[/caption]

Age your selfies

FORGET filters to remove wrinkles in photos, it pays to add them on with an ageing app instead.

According to an experiment published in the Journal of Marketing Research, participants who are shown photos of what they will look like in a few decades’ time are more likely to put cash into their retirement accounts rather than spend it now.

Don’t worry, though, you don’t need to share it on Instagram.

Psychologist Anna Sergent says: “Research shows that even imagining yourself as older can encourage you to make decisions that are beneficial for your long-term wellbeing and financial goals.”

Take a money day

WE know days off work are precious, but dedicating one to your financial health could make a massive difference to your family coffers.

Wendy De La Rosa, a behavioural scientist at Wharton University’s Common Cents Lab, which helps people on low incomes find financial well-being, says: “You deserve to take time to get your life in order when you aren’t on edge and under pressure.

“So mark a calendar right now to devote a day to reorganising your finance.”

Use the day to review your spending and direct debits, cancel any subscriptions you aren’t using and work out affordable budgets for each of your spending categories, from food to bills and clothes.