We’ve all experienced it: you come home from the grocery store after surviving rush hour, only to find that you forgot at least three things. Not a good feeling! While making a grocery list feels like another chore, it can actually save you time (and gas money) by not having to drive back to the store.
A shopping list helps you stay focused and productive while shopping. Without one, it’s easy to forget important things or overspend on things you forgot. So when it comes to making a shopping list, what are the most effective strategies for completing your least favorite purchases quickly and efficiently?
Reading: How to create a master shopping log
- Why you should make a list
- 9 steps to making a list
- Benefits of a list
- How a list can save you money
Why you should Make one Grocery List
Having spent most of our lives grocery shopping, many of us have a system to grips with. But the range of brands and choices is constantly evolving, and the sheer volume of options can easily put us off. Sometimes these options are improvements over what we usually buy, like better quality eggs at a fair price. And sometimes the many options offer fun additions to spice up our lives. Maybe a star fruit isn’t necessary, but it’s fun and delicious!
Other times, the variety can be overwhelming and leave you feeling scattered. This often ends in you coming home either empty-handed or with the wrong items. Too many options can lead to overthinking and decision paralysis. Alternatively, it can have the opposite effect: all the options can be distracting, and you could end up over-buying (and exceeding your budget).
Enter the shopping list, the only way to ensure efficient shopping That doesn’t lead to about-faces to get tomatoes for the pasta sauce. Make a shopping list every time you go to a store, or keep a weekly standard list that you add to when you need specialty items. There’s nothing worse than coming home to find that you bought the wrong milk, forgot the chicken, or bought bananas when you already have a ripe bunch.
Your shopping list doesn’t have to be about groceries and restrict drinks. Many grocery stores also stock common household items such as napkins, kitchen utensils, toiletries, and even greeting cards. Did you run out of shampoo this morning? Don’t risk forgetting it and showing up to work with unwashed hair – add it to the list!
When the pantry, fridge and freezer are fully stocked, you can always welcome and entertain guests (yes, we’re talking about surprise visits from your in-laws). It also means you’ll never finish half a recipe only to find you’re missing ingredients. So how do you get your shopping list in order?
How to Make a Grocery List in 9 Easy Steps
These 9 steps will not only show you how to make a grocery list, but also how to create a list organized like this that you I’ll wonder how you ever did it differently!
Choose a note system
Before you get started, decide what medium you will use for your list. The two main options are digital or pen and paper. Obviously one will serve you better than the other. If you go digital and create a grocery list on your phone, you’ll always have access to it (because let’s face it, when was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?). There is no risk of forgetting your paper list at home, at work or in the car. Not to mention that when we’re in a hurry, the handwriting tends to look like a doctor’s – messy and illegible!
Power Tip: If you keep your shopping list in Evernote, you’ll have it in your pocket as soon as you walk into the store. Evernote works on Android and iOS devices and syncs all your devices so you can make updates on your desktop and any changes appear instantly on your phone.
Consider what you have
This may seem obvious, but it is important to know what you have can determine what you need. Open your pantry, fridge, and freezer and make notes of everything in them. This is your master list. If you have multiple food storage locations in your home (e.g., a mini-fridge in the basement), make an inventory there as well. Also note the expiration date of each item. You may have a jug full of milk, but when it runs out tomorrow you’ll need to top it up.
Make Priority Lists
From your master list, jot down which items are running low and of which you have plenty. Then make a list of things you don’t have at all. To order them by population priority, create three running lists labeled green, yellow, and red. Items marked red mean you need to refill immediately, items marked yellow are running low and items marked green are all in stock.Also note how many of each item you need.
When making these lists, decide how low you want your stock of certain items to be. For example, as we learned in 2020, nobody wants to be caught without toilet paper. For certain essentials, like vitamins, it’s a good idea to replenish when you turn yellow. Other unnecessary things, like those super-salty potato chips you can’t put down, can fall down to the red tier with no real consequences (other than unsatisfied cravings). Of course, everyone has different priorities, so make sure you order your priority list accordingly.
The best way to stay organized is to make three lists. Of course, if you prefer to just keep a shopping list as soon as possible, that works too. But if you keep three, you make sure you never find yourself in an emergency situation. Having access to all three – not just the red list – when you go to the store can also come in handy should you spot a great deal on an item marked yellow or green.
Pro Tip: I made a master shopping list of all the things I usually buy. They are arranged in the order they appear in the store, and each item has a checkbox.
When I get ready to go to the store, I check the box for the items I want need. When I’m in store and add an item to my cart, I uncheck the box. At the end of my journey, I’ll have everything I need!” – Evernote contributor Stan Skrabut
Create additional lists as needed
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Additional lists, including entries for special ones Events can be on your red list or created separately. An additional list can be created for this week’s meal prep—which also requires some planning (try Evernote’s weekly meal plan template to help you get started). If you plan on following a new recipe, see if you need to buy new ingredients and add them to your list.
Treat your significant other to a fancy date night? Make another list for gourmet groceries or when you really go out of your way to make special meals from scratch. Of course, these lists are very different from the everyday things you buy weekly. Bakers, grillers and other specialty chefs have different lists based on priority. For example, maybe you need one just for cooking oils!
Choose a food categorization system
Need to take your system one step further? Each list can be further categorized based on food groups, store layout, or any other criteria you choose. Organizing by food groups is a great way to track nutrition. It will make you more aware of how much of each food group you are consuming and may encourage you to adopt a more balanced diet. This is also helpful for allergies and dietary restrictions. Your groups could include grains, fruits, vegetables, snack foods, dairy, beverages, meat or protein, frozen foods, breads, herbs and spices, canned goods, prepackaged foods and desserts.
For the Efficient Shopper, its top priority time saving in the store, it is best to categorize your list by store layout. However, keep in mind that this works best if you only shop at one store, so make sure you keep your favorite spot in mind when making your list.
For the visually oriented shopper, it might make the most sense to categorize your list by fridge, freezer, or pantry layout. For example, when you open your fridge, imagine where the groceries belong: the crisper drawers, the door shelves, the meat and milk drawer, the butter shelf, and the top, middle, and bottom main shelves. Categorizing items by home location is a great way to ensure nothing is left off the list.
Leave some wiggle room
Now that you have your lists, leave some wiggle room for coupons and deals. Do you have some yellow items that will be on sale next week? Consider crossing it off the list this week. For example, if a kid’s birthday is coming up in November, why not wait until after Halloween to snag these sweet discounted candy deals?
Bring coupons (either cut-out coupons or digital coupons on your phone) and keep an eye out for in-store deals, but don’t let them dictate your shopping spree (especially those red items). Stick to your list and don’t get too distracted or you’ll defeat the purpose of the lists.
Power Tip: You have a great coupon for a product online Found the one you really need to like? Use Web Clipper to save it to your Evernote account, then add a link to your shopping list so you can open it with a single tap. Easier than looking for a paper coupon at checkout!
Check items off while shopping
What feels better than checking items off a list? Not only does it feel great, but checking off items as you shop helps you stay on track. Be sure to mark items as you add them to your cart so you don’t accidentally duplicate them.Use ticks, strikethroughs, or a color-coding system to mark items.
First, stock up on non-perishable foods like canned goods and chips. Then proceed to the production of chilled items, and then frozen items. The last thing you want is for the Rocky Road tub to melt before you even get to the checkout!
Power Tip: Checklists in Evernote are a great visual reminder which items you need in your shopping cart and which you still need to find. Crossing out a checklist item automatically grays it out and crosses it out so you can see your progress at a glance.
Check in weekly
Once the lists are made and the groceries of the week are shopped, take inventory weekly and move the items from green to yellow to red. Add or remove items to your list as you see fit. If you’re expecting company, create a new list to accommodate their needs and preferences. If you plan to head out of town, stock up on snacks to take with you and make a quick list of items to quickly make the night you return (think frozen pizzas and canned goods). The last thing you want to do when you get home from vacation is to go to the grocery store.
Weekly shopping trips are generally a good idea. When your diet relies heavily on produce, you need to refill more frequently. If you expect supply chain problems or bad weather that will cause power outages or road closures, you should buy more essential and durable goods. And of course, holidays call for special items. Either way, it’s best to be prepared, so make sure you keep this list up to date.
Power Tip: Set aside time on your calendar each week to review your shopping list and make any necessary changes. Once you connect your Google calendar to Evernote, you can link your digital list to the calendar event and open it with a single click.
Troubleshooting and flexibility
The beauty of your grocery list is that it’s your list. For example, if you try the red-yellow-green method and it doesn’t work for you, try something else. Remember, you can choose how you organize grocery list formats, whether adding more organization or simplifying an overly complicated list. With so many other things in life to worry about, your shopping list shouldn’t be one of them. Do what is most efficient and effective for you.
The Benefits of Making a Grocery List
Still not convinced to take the extra time out of your day to make a grocery list? Here are seven benefits you’ll enjoy if you decide to make grocery list building a part of your weekly routine:
Save time
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You’ll save time when You make making the grocery list a priority because you don’t have to wander through the store, make second trips to pick up forgotten items, or stand in the dairy aisle trying to remember if it was yogurt or cheese They needed. It keeps you focused on the purpose of shopping so you can be in and out in minutes.
Save money
If you keep track of what you need and what you buy, you will be less likely to overspend. When you have a set list of items, you’re much less likely to fall victim to flashy packaging for groceries you don’t really need. Once you’ve decided on an item, compare prices to get the best bang for your buck. Plus, there are no more wasteful impulse buys.
Reduce stress
Zigzagging around the store trying to remember what you need creates unnecessary stress (especially during the crowded 5pm rush hour). :30 p.m.) . Not to mention that realizing you’re wasting time and money leads to even more stress. Shopping stress is even more common among people who are sensitive to crowds, fluorescent lights, and the general sensory overload that a grocery store can bring. Sticking to a trusted list is a guide throughout the experience.
Help roommates or family
You may live alone and make a shopping list just for yourself, but often for you will also shop for others. Your shopping list can be shared with others, eliminating the need for multiple trips to the grocery store, ensuring everyone’s needs are met. Whether you and your roommate share a cheap laundry detergent for those late-night trips to the laundromat, or your significant other did the grocery shopping last week and now it’s your turn, having a list makes everyone’s life easier.
Power Tip: Create a shopping list in Evernote and share it with friends and family — even if they’re not using the app. That way there’s no confusion about what to find at the store.
Stay healthy and food safe
Having a grocery list is a great way to keep track of nutrition and make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet. After all, awareness is the first step to making healthier choices. Plus, an organized grocery list also means no food mix-ups (especially if you’re sharing grocery shopping with someone else).With a detailed list, you avoid someone in your household getting something they’re allergic to or trying to eliminate it from their diet (because it’s a lot easier to stop biting potato chips when they’re not in the house) .
A well-organized list also means you can easily outsource your shopping to someone else if you can’t do it yourself. For example, if you have the flu and your favorite neighbor offers to get groceries for your gluten-free family, a comprehensive list will make it easier for them to get the right groceries.
Reduce Waste
About 108 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States each year. That’s a frightening number for all sorts of reasons, not to mention the money consumers waste every day. Nobody likes to throw away food if they can avoid it. Taking inventory, keeping track of expiration dates, proactively making lists, and sticking to a shopping plan can help reduce food waste. Making grocery lists also eliminates unnecessary trips to the grocery store, which also reduces air pollution from commuting.
Become more organized in other areas of life
Becoming a grocery list pro can help you to organize your life in other ways as well. This is the easiest and quickest way to learn what types of lists work for you, how to manage them, and how to improve them. You’ll soon be making donation lists, to-do lists, and even bucket lists! Written organization in list format helps achieve life goals and lead an overall balanced life.
Remember, you control the lists, the lists don’t control you. Find the balance between organization and spontaneity, and leave room for a little fun. After all, sometimes you just have to treat yourself to those fancy cookies!
How an organized grocery list can help save money
We’ve touched on this before, but there is such a huge benefit to learning how to make a grocery list that we wanted to say it again : Creating a shopping list helps you save money because if you stick to your list, you’ll only buy what you need.
Often finding deals can seem like a money saver, but sales can leave you with more items in your cart that you don’t really need. Did you really need to sell an 8-pack of birthday candles when all you really need is one box? If you buy from what is on offer and not from the list, you may end up spending money on something you didn’t come to the store for in the first place.
Impulse purchases can feel small in the aisle, but they feel very real at the checkout. Coupons are easier to plan than spontaneous in-store deals because they can be paired with lists to save money on items you were planning to buy anyway. However, remember that committing to coupons when you no longer want or need the item isn’t always a cost-effective strategy – no matter how good the deal is.
Power Tip: Use Evernote’s budget planner template to keep track of your weekly expenses. A well-organized budget reduces impulse buying and helps you stay focused and on budget despite the tempting displays, discounts, and other sneaky marketing tactics.
Create the ultimate grocery list with Evernote
Evernote allows you to create and customize any type of list, including grocery lists. You can add tags, search for keywords, and scan documents (like that handwritten shopping list you made before reading this article) so capturing and finding information is a breeze. Intuitive and easy to navigate, Evernote is the best place to make a list and your first step in getting organized.
Now let’s go shopping!
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