Do you use a list when you grocery shop?

happyheart15

I think I need to start doing that, and only buy what's on the list, because I spend too much money.

zillah73

Yup! I actually use a grocery list app on the phone so no paper.

swingsintherain

I do (though I tend to just write "vegetables" and "fruit", lol).

If I don't, I forget I'm out of milk (or eggs, or bread, or...)

petejjcharlton

I use the notes on my iPhone, so I just delete and add a few things each week.

incitata

Yup, I use an app on my phone!

Oakley82

I used to. Now, unless I'm making something in particular, I wing it. I usually get the same things every time, so it's not too hard to remember. I do spend waaaay to much for living alone! Maybe I should start!

tinak33

I make a list before going to the store.
Then I go to the store after work when I'm hungry.
Then I add things to the list as I'm in the store so I TECHNICALLY can say "I stuck to the list."
:blushing:

WindyJenny

Absolutely. As a family, we sit down on Saturday evening or Sunday morning to plan our meals for the coming week. (I even print our menu out and post it on the fridge with a great big "DEAL WITH IT"!) We write it ALL down, and stick to the list. It keeps junk food out of the pantry, and the kids know what they can snack on. If something disappears before the end of the week, too bad. It also helps us keep to our financial budget!

conniemaxwell5

I find that a list not only helps me stay on financial budget but calorie budget too. I look through recipes all week (a few minutes here and there), pick a few that appeal to me and are healthy, decide what I'm eating for breakfast, lunch and snacks all week, then check my cabinets, fridge and freezer to see what I need to get to make those things as well as what paper products, toiletries, etc. I need. I make the list and then take my husband with me to keep me honest. It's become a fun date night for us - LOL! I have a rule about not going back throughout the week too. If I didnt' get it on my weekly grocery trip, I do without.

carrieous

no need since i always buy the same stuff

carrieous

i should add that i dont go down every aisle which probably helps me not buy crap. I see "oh the cookie aisle, dont need anything in that aisle" and i pass it by

stumblinthrulife

I plan the week's meals and snacks first, then the ingredients for the meal, then cross reference what I already have and pare down the list accordingly. Then it all goes into Evernote on the computer or iPad, sorted by store section for efficiency. Evernote then syncs to my phone for use at the grocery store.

Why yes, I am a geek, thanks for noticing!

tvanhooser

Not only do I have a list, I have it organized by store section so I can just go straight down the list without wandering all over backtracking all the time. Plus I pre-plan all our dinners, one special lunch (sometimes) and one special weekend breakfast - then check the cupboards and refrigerator/freezer and ingredient lists and put anything I am going to need and don't have on hand, on the list. Add a few staples that need replenishing and that's my list. That way I don't get a bunch of stuff I'll never use and it goes out the same week it comes in.

Jacqmomof3

I find using a list is best for meal planning. But my contract work finished and now I have been winging it more. Certainly doing it this way, I need to pop in to the store more and probably spend more money, bad cycle. But the good news, I haven't had to throw out any food that has gone bad lately.

lolwutshannon

I always make a shopping list...and leave it on my kitchen counter when I go to the store. Every single time.
-___-

cmeiron

I plan the week's meals and snacks first, then the ingredients for the meal, then cross reference what I already have and pare down the list accordingly. Then it all goes into Evernote on the computer or iPad, sorted by store section for efficiency. Evernote then syncs to my phone for use at the grocery store.

Why yes, I am a geek, thanks for noticing!

SO IMPRESSED.

I do all of this, except for the iPad part; I categorize my list by store (I shop at two usually) and store section by hand and write it in my beloved notebook :P I also look at the weekly flyers for my usual stores to see where the best deals seem to be, and note the prices on the list so I can comparison shop once I get out there. :bigsmile:

Doing this has eliminated a lot of waste, trimmed the spending, and totally eliminated the "whaddaya want for dinner"..."I dunno, takeout?" dilemma :drinker:

stormsusmc

Yes sunday is shopping/planning day...always check local ads

Maris_Swan

Absolutely, plus I'm a couponer,....so yeah, it's all about lists and organization

_Tara_R

Yes, I always have a list. I don't think I could do it without one.

Pepper2185

I have to or I forget what I went there to buy.

toni_eccleston

We do our shopping online. I plan the whole week's menu for the family, make a list and stick to it. I find that if I go out to do the shopping, I end up buying too many things that we don't need and they end up going to waste. Not to mention all the temptation in the sweet and biscuit aisles ha

orapronobis

Absolutely. I made note of what each aisle of the grocery store contains. I keep a note pad on my fridge to jot down items that I'm getting low on or have run out of. On my shopping day, I type up the list in Excel. It has two columns, the aisle/section of the store and the items. I sort it by aisles/sections, so that I go down only those aisles that have things that I need. I do a lot less impulse buying that way and it saves tons of time (no backtracking through the aisles). The last section on my list is always the frozen-food aisles, so those items don't start thawing while I'm shopping for other things

HeidiMightyRawr

On a good day, yes.

It saves me money, and helps me make better choices.

Jen32285

I do because otherwise I have no idea what to make for meals. So I usually plan it out a few days before I go shopping. Even with the list, I forget things or buy more things. I usually have my kids with.

toothwalker_

I have to make a list before I go, both to plan out my week of groceries and meals accordingly, and so that I save money and avoid impulse buys. I try to go for groceries after a meal so that I'm not shopping hungry, either.

I also write the list in the order that I go through the grocery store. That may seem weird, but honestly it saves me trudging back to the dairy section twice because I put the milk at the bottom of the list. I also do what others have said and just put "fruits" and "vegetables" since things often change in availability and price throughout the season.

KBGirts

If I don't make a list I will face palm myself when I get home and realize I forgot the very thing I went for.

MissSnickerdoodle

I always do. I plan my meals ahead of time and make the list very specific.

kat5556

That's a BIG YES! I have a spreadsheet on my computer with all the isles organized with the items I use and I print it off once a week and then check off what I need. Works for me but then again, I'm a geek that LOVE'S LISTS!!

KBGirts

I always make a shopping list...and leave it on my kitchen counter when I go to the store. Every single time.
-___-

That's so awesome! I do this too....

Francl27

Occasionally, if I need more than a few things. Otherwise I'm pretty good at remembering what I need.

Mexicanbigfoot

Wow. I always "try" to make a list. I use the term "try" loosely. Sometimes I forget the list, when I do remember it, I usually buy everything on the list, plus a cart full of other crap I don't need. My husband is not overweight and he eats ALOT of junk food so I find myself wandering down every aisle at the store, sometimes twice, and it's hard to stick to making those healthful choices. I am going to take some of your tips and see if I can keep myself better 1. under calorie budget (I do pretty well most of the time) and 2. under financial budget - the grocery is a killer on the household budget because of all the "extras" we end up with. Good luck, all, on your journeys!! :bigsmile: