Master Shopping Lists

How do you organize what you need to buy when you go to the grocery store? Obviously you should be using a list. But what items should be on that list? Everything you need for the next week that you don’t already have should be on that list. What about items for stocking up?

It’s easy to keep everything on one list with a master shopping list. At Target, Real Simple sells “Time to Get” magnetic pads for your refrigerator with many items already printed on them and blank space to write in more. Or here are some examples of master shopping lists and how to create them:
Create a Master Shopping List from Real Simple
Rachel Ray’s Master Shopping List
Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food Magazine – Shopping List at the back of every issue

I suggest going through your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer and writing down everything you keep in there on a regular basis. Type it up on the computer so you can modify it as necessary and keep one copy printed on your fridge each week to use.

As the week goes by, I highlight items I’ve used up, see that I’m running low on, need for a recipe I’ve found that I’d like to try, or just plain want.

Come Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, I plan my menu for the next week and circle all the items I need to get at the store.

Then I peruse ads and coupons (and couponing blogs to make sure I didn’t miss any great deals) and figure out what other items that are highlighted are a good deal – circle those and get them now also. And if there are any great deals that aren’t highlighted but are on my list, I can stock up now if I don’t have too much on hand already.

Related posts:
Grocery Shopping
Shopping Online to Maximize Your Clothing Budget
Low Key Grocery Shopping with Coupons
Drugstore Deals 3/15

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