ONE in three workers worries about how to stretch their pay packet until the end of the month, with some people even skipping meals, research revealed yesterday.

Some 33 per cent of people questioned said they worry about whether they will have enough money to last until they are next paid, according to a Post Office Money Current Accounts survey.

And 13 per cent of people in work said they have skipped meals in order to save money in the run-up to pay day.

Another 40 per cent of people are forced to hunt out reduced items at supermarkets, while 39 per cent said they take homemade lunches to work and 34 per cent miss out on social occasions.

The survey found other common methods of saving money included cutting down on gas and electricity use around the house.

John Willcock, head of current accounts at Post Office Money, said it showed families faced a “financial juggling act” to cope with low pay.