Thursday, October 3, 2013

Never Forget an Item on Your Grocery List + Free Printables

Well, I can't promise that you'll NEVER forget another item at the grocery store, but this grocery shopping technique should help. {If my husband were reading this, he'd laugh because well, let's face it, I haven't been the best shopper lately.} I'm working on it and really trying to get back into the habit of doing one shopping trip per week. It's much easier and there's less stress involved. And we could all use some of that, right?

If you're like me, you shop at the same grocery stores every week. I shop at two sometimes three stores a week. By now, I've been there enough that I know the layout pretty well. So, think through your store's layout and the route you usually take through the store.

I always go to the right when I enter my store. It starts with the Deli > Cheeses & Lunch/Breakfast Meats > Meats > Dairy > Then, I go up and down the aisles inside this perimeter. Cereals/Coffee/Tea > Juice/Baby > Snacks/Condiments > Ethnics > Canned Vegs/Boxed sides > Households > Chips > Drinks > Frozen > Bread > Produce/Floral > Pharmacy. Then, to the checkout! So, when making my list, I write each dept down on paper  in the order in which I'll be going through the store. Then, as I look over each day's menu, I write in items I need right into the category listed. Some stores have a store map at the front of their store or online to help you better plan your shopping experience.
I also like to have my weekly menu somewhere on the list so that I can remember what I'm having in case I decide at the last minute to change something up depending on a sale item or whathaveyou.
Click the links below each picture to go to the original site and print out the ones you'd like to try! Some of these may not be in the order you'll be walking through your store, but you may find something here that would benefit you and make your shopping trips a little less forgetful.

Do you love to grocery shop? How do you keep from forgetting things? Do you make one shopping trip per week or multiple? I'd love to hear from you!

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the other links here or under the tap at the top labelled {Home Economics}.

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4 comments:

  1. I got tired of repeating the same list over and over and always forgetting something. I created an Excel file with 5 columns: first two are for the grocery store, next two are for Costco, the last one is split and the top is for Walmart/ Target stuff and the bottom half is for Cash & Carry which is a restaurant supply store. I have listed (roughly by department) all the things I regularly buy at these places. I keep a list on the fridge that everyone is supposed to jot down anything we are out of or want. Once I meal plan I take the list off the fridge and open the excel file and highlight the things I need to buy that trip, I also run through my menu and highlight anything specific I need. Lastly I run through the complete list and think about each item and how I'm set (sending kids to check the pantry as needed). I print the list before I go and its easier to get everything because the bright yellow boxes catch my eye and don't get overlooked. It took some time to create the list but I've been using it for more than 10 years with minor adjustments (diapers and wipes came off).

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    1. Wow! I need your list!! I would love to come up with my own. I just haven't taken the time to do that yet. But it sure sounds like a dream come true! That's amazing that you've been using it more than 10 years!! I'm inspired to do my own now! Thank you for sharing!

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  2. I also include our weekly menu on my shopping list! :)

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    1. It makes it so much easier than relying on my memory!

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