Save Money on Your Grocery Bill - Step 2- the Shopping List

DO NOT WALK INTO THE GROCERY STORE WITHOUT A LIST! It's for your own good, really! When there is no list, you get things that you don't need. A list serves so many purposes. First, it is your map of the store. Your list will save you so much time, because you know what you need and where to get it. Second, your list saves your waistline. You are much more likely to pick up those M&M's that are on sale if you don't have a list. My rule is - if it's not on the list, it's not in my cart (clearance items are an exception!). Your list saves MONEY. When you are carrying your list around, you can put tick marks to estimate how much you are spending. This small little action can save TONS of CASH. And finally, it is your reminder. A star by the item means you have a coupon. A question mark by the item means you have a price match, and then the actual price match information can be right there on your list, too (once again, saving you time).

It's plain and simple. The less time you spend in the grocery store, the less money you're going to spend. That's why we list.

To make your master shopping list, think about the layout of your store and the path that you take through the store.  I like to shop at a mass-merchandiser (Wally World) so it is important that I bypass all of the non-essential stuff so that I'm not tempted.  

Type, or write out, the items that you buy on a weekly basis.  It's important to have things like milk and eggs on the list, because once you have this system automated, those are the things that get left out.  It is smart, also, to leave a few blanks in each area, such as produce, canned foods, baking goods, etc.  That way, if you need something that you don't buy each week, you have a nice little spot to write it in.  

Our store just did a complete makeover, so it was time to makeover my shopping list.  I simply walked through the store with my camera and videoed where everything is.  I'm sure I looked really intelligent walking by each aisle with the camera, then speaking into the camera, "pasta, rice, sauce, beans."  But hey, it saves me so much time, I didn't mind looking like a dingbat too much.

This list should be saved and copied for each week.  I would not make a massive amount of copies until you have the list just the way you like it.  You may realize after three weeks that you write "macaroni" on it each week.  Just go back in and add it.

Here's where your menu from Step 1 comes in! Go day-by-day through your menu and check off the items you need (or write in the items that aren't already on your master list). If you are trying out recipes, just reference the recipe to check off the ingredients you need.

Now, go back over your master list and check off the things you need that weren't specified on any given day, like milk, eggs, bread, fruit, crackers, etc.

This is a great time to check in your pantry, freezer, or food storage to see if you have any of the items on your list.  There may be a possibility that the last time you had meatballs, you had half a bag left over.  

This is also a great time to find out if substitutions can be made.  Maybe on your menu you had planned on having chicken cordon bleu.  You're shopping at home, and you find a bag of chicken already cut up into little chunks.  Great!  You can use the same ingredients to make a "shortcut" chicken cordon bleu.  Be creative, especially when it comes to using up stuff that's already in your home.

You used the sales ads to help plan your menu - now grab those sales ads and make sure you're getting the best prices.  If you shop somewhere that honors competitor's prices, make sure you write down on your list who has the best price, and what that price is.   You will need to carry your ads with you, so don't cut them up or throw them out.  The cashier will need to see the ad, including the dates on the top or bottom of the front page.

Speaking of front page - the front and back pages of the ads usually have all the best buys!

Next, take your list and go through your coupons.  Pull out any coupons you are going to use, and keep them with the list.  Take a pen with you to the store, too.  It's so easy to mark out what you've already put into the cart and just grab the rest of the things that are checked off as you go!

Here are the items on my shopping list.  When I need it, I put a √ by it.  When I have a coupon for it, I put a * by it.  When I have a price match, I write the price match information by it.

Apples

Oranges

Bananas

Berries

_____________

Tomatoes

Lettuce

Potatoes

Peppers

Celery

_____________

_____________

Frozen Fruit

Dinners

Kid Dinners

Broccoli

Veggies

_____________

Bread

Tortillas

_____________

_____________

Jelly

Green beans

carrots

peas

_____________

_____________

Mac & cheese

Angel hair

Sauce

Rice

Chef

_____________

_____________

Flour

Nuts

Sugar

Cereal

_____________

_____________

Paper plates

napkins

Bleach

_____________

_____________

Sodas

Crackers

Chips

Popcorn

Juice

Koolaid

Milk

Yogurt milk

Sour cream

eggs

bacon

sausage

lunch meat

cheese slices

cheese sticks

cheese shreds

_____________

chicken

pork

ground beef

turkey

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