Hints and tips for the Supermarket.

Some of these may seem obvious but others not so much, In no particular order here are my top 5 tips on reducing your food bill!

1. DON'T shop on an empty stomach. This is the worst thing you can do as you go around and not only do you end up spending a fortune of things you don't need but the not so good for your point values things will sneak in! Go after your meal or have a small snack before your shop. Your wallet and waistline will thank you later
2. DO make a meal plan. This is very important. The night before you go shopping sit down and make a meal plan for the week ahead and work out the points values for all your meals this will not only stop the 'I don't know what's for dinner lets order take out' as you will know ahead of time what's planned for your day ahead. This allows us to follow nicely to number 3...
3. DO make a shopping list and inventory. Before you make your meal plan take an inventory of everything in your freezer, fridge and cupboards. Then you can make your meal plan around what you've already got. Then make a shopping list for the things you don't have.  
4. BUY loose and frozen. Most often then not the supermarkets try and trick us with their fancy labels and promise of offers when on a closer look the offer isn't that really at all. I have found some fruits and vegetables are cheaper to buy loose or frozen. Perfect example is a large bunch of banana's picked loose can be 89p but to buy a bag of pre-packed bananas that are a lot smaller cost £1 but because of the sticker making it like the £1 bunch is such a bargain you just gravitate towards the bag! Also buy bigger bags of frozen vegetables - they save you money and taste just as good as the fresh stuff
5. DO treat your self! If you fancy that bar of chocolate while your out, point and track it and enjoy. A treat every now and again doesn't hurt and wont break the bank.