More bang and more bangers for your buck Same goes for the supermarkets themselves. We tend to go back to the same ones because it's easy e_SEnD we know the layout, the packaging is familiar. But supermarkets have their different strengths. You need to be canny, and know what each one does well, giving you the best value. I've been impressed by the staff, the stock and the prices on Morrisons fish counter, for example, while the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference wine selection might not be bargain basement but the quality punches well above the price. I'll be looking more into this over the next few months. First stop is generally the fruit and veg, which tend to fare less well than prepared dishes in the offers stakes, perhaps because they don't have the "added value" (supermarket speak for profit margins) of convenience foods. They even manage to charge us extra for buying in bulk, so apples and carrots cost more per kilo when they are lumped in a plastic bag then when we get to pick them out singly. More immediately, what will I be picking up in this week's shop? Tesco currently has two peppers for £1 (instead of 80p each, until March 24), but it doesn't stand up well against Lidl's three pack, also for £1, although you do get to choose which colours you want. Mind you, Tesco's two cabbages for £1 (80p each, also until March 24) are tempting enough, given the recent high price/tiny size brassica double whammy, to make me throw a couple in the trolley and brazen out any moaning about "greens again" from the kids. They'd probably be happier if this mum went to Lidl. A trip to the German discounter this weekend will keep you in feed-the-bears-type rations, including half-price pizzas (Goodfella's Deep Pan Pizza Loaded Cheese or Pepperoni £1.25 instead of £2.50), McEnnedy Premium Butter Toffee Popcorn at 42p instead of 85p (this weekend only) and both chocolate and strawberry Nesquik 500g packs down to £1.59 from £2.52. There's even a washing liquid bargain for the clear-up - Ariel Excel Gel 888ml down to £3.99 from £7.19. All offers until March 20. Next month I'll bring you more details of the hot offers and how to play the supermarkets at their own game - and win. In the meantime, drop me an email (xanthe.clay@telegraph.co.uk) if you spot any sneaky price rises or cheeky supermarket doublespeak that needs investigating, and what tactics work well for you. Between us we'll work out how to get the best bang, and bangers, for your buck.