Do you make a shopping list when you do groceries?

Discussion in Food & Drink started by ssamcd • Jul 30, 2012.

  1. ssamcd

    ssamcdMember

    Joined:
    May 29, 2012
    Threads:
    27
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    1
    Just wondering how many of you make a shopping list when do your groceries. I use to never make a list. When my husband was not working and we were counting pennies I started to only buy what I needed for the week. I would only buy the essentials. Boy did I save money. I could not believe how I cut my grocery bill. Just wondering do you use a grocery list every week?
     
  2. Jennifer

    JenniferActive Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    Threads:
    28
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    1
    I actually do make a list but I always seem to forget it at home when I go shopping. The funny thing is, that if I do forget it, when I get home with the groceries I have invariably bought all the items that I wrote down (and more). Having a grocery list hasn't really saved me much money, probably because I don't really stick to it.
     
  3. Linky

    LinkyExpert

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2012
    Threads:
    2
    Messages:
    546
    Likes Received:
    1
    Yes, I do make a grocery list for a number of reasons. I just jot down a list on my mobile phone and stick to it. It really cuts down on me buying frivolous stuff because I like the look of it, for example. It also speeds up the process. It keeps me focused and I can place my attention on what I need to get and get me out of the stores in one piece and happy as my intentions have been fulfilled. I also can remain strong in the face of all the 'temptations' there.

    All this from the humble grocery list! -> ha-ha.
     
  4. Bloomatic

    BloomaticActive Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2012
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    321
    Likes Received:
    2
    I haven't the habit of making a list when I go shopping. In my family, not have that habit. I don´t know if it's a matter of memory, or something more practical, but it was never necessary. Anyway, I think it´s important to know what we need to buy. Many times, be in a hurry, I forgot to buy something important and lost the double of time. There are days when a list is necessary, but at other times the purchases can be made more relaxed. Today, the big stores have everything in sight. Eye contact is a good memory aid. ;)
     
  5. sandooch

    sandoochActive Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2012
    Threads:
    17
    Messages:
    274
    Likes Received:
    0
    I joined a site called The Grocery Game where they give you a list of the sales going on at your store of choice and combine them with the coupons you've collected for a few months from the Sunday Times. It does save a lot of money. I print out this list and jot down a few other items I need that are not on sale on the top of this list. But often times I see things in the store that I either forgot to put on my list or that I really, really want to try. But I am a big-time list maker! ;)
     
  6. classicnyer

    classicnyerActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2012
    Threads:
    19
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    2
    If I don't make a list, I will forget something. And it will never be something inessential, either. It will be eggs or milk or something.
     
  7. Mrs. Rogers

    Mrs. RogersActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2012
    Threads:
    1
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    1
    I'm anal about my grocery shopping and I only go once a month to Sam's Club. I buy in bulk and save considerably by doing this. I have a list that I use every month when I go and I always get the same stuff. We are a family of five and I never spend over $500 per month, even when I need extra stuff.
     
  8. KNH

    KNHActive Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2012
    Threads:
    4
    Messages:
    150
    Likes Received:
    0
    I always do make a grocery list. I am pretty impatient so it is always nice to go into the store knowing what I need, plus I don't stray and look at things I don't need :)
     
  9. Adeal4u

    Adeal4uActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    Threads:
    36
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    4
    I don't make a list I just roam through the isles and pick up what I need. Sometimes I forget something, but most of the time I get everything I wanted. I never could see myself sitting down and writing a list. The idea feels so foreign to me I just buy groceries off instinct.
     
  10. BarelyHangingOn

    BarelyHangingOnActive Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2012
    Threads:
    12
    Messages:
    155
    Likes Received:
    0
    We have a list that sits on the microwave. If it's not on the list that it's not bought. Those are the rules. It saves us from buying lots of junk food and other impulse buys that we don't need.
     
  11. Victor Leigh

    Victor LeighActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    Threads:
    4
    Messages:
    446
    Likes Received:
    14
    I don't buy that much so I don't need a shopping list. My shopping is done only once a week and I will buy various items depending on the latest offers. The prices of my staples have been quite stable for some time, though.
     
  12. Farrah

    FarrahActive Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2012
    Threads:
    77
    Messages:
    584
    Likes Received:
    5
    I have to make my list. I don't know what happens from the time I leave my house to the time I enter the store, I seem to go brain dead and draw a complete blank. I don't always stick specifically to the list, I always find other things I need as well.
     
  13. Sandra Piddock

    Sandra PiddockExpert

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2012
    Threads:
    24
    Messages:
    757
    Likes Received:
    3
    I only make a shopping list if we're entertaining or going away in our motorhome and I need to remember things I don't buy on a regular basis. I tend to just look around for the special offers in store and base the week's menus around that. I'm pretty good about not buying things I don't really need - unless my husband comes with me. He's likely to chuck in a load of unnecessary stuff without even looking at the price, so I try to time my shopping expeditions for when he's busy with other things, otherwise it's an expensive trip.
     
  14. addicted_buyer

    addicted_buyerExpert

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2012
    Threads:
    73
    Messages:
    983
    Likes Received:
    8
    My dad is currently the one who does the groceries, and he has terrible memory. Even if we write down what we need, he forgets to buy it most of the times. So yup, we do make a shopping list the day before he goes to the supermarket.
     
  15. ohiotom76

    ohiotom76Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Threads:
    154
    Messages:
    2,561
    Likes Received:
    233
    No but only because I tend to buy the same core items to make the dishes I want throughout the week. I'm only cooking for myself though, so that makes it easier. I basically have my shopping list in my head.
     
  16. melapie

    melapieActive Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Threads:
    15
    Messages:
    122
    Likes Received:
    0
    I've always used a shopping list because I'm forgetful. Even with the essentials, I can sometimes forget to buy this and that (I do my grocery shopping bi-weekly). A shopping list also helps me to budget our income. I only buy what's on list; and if I happen to come accross something that I want, if it's not on the list, it's not going to make its way on my cart. Everyone I know who started doing this swears on how they were able to cut up on grocery expenses.
     
  17. difrancprod

    difrancprodBanned

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2012
    Threads:
    76
    Messages:
    547
    Likes Received:
    2
    I do make a list when I know that I'm in a tight budget. But I'm also guilty of not following that list and often (if not always) go beyond the stuff on my list! But it definitely helps me remember the essentials. :)
     
  18. Sugarhill

    SugarhillActive Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    Threads:
    27
    Messages:
    700
    Likes Received:
    9
    I make a list of what I want and I assign the item to the store that I want to buy it from since I shop at more than one store in a trip. Not only that, some things I will only buy at one particular store because it is cheaper there. So, yes, I break all of it down on my lists. I have them on ColorNotes widgets on my phone.
     
  19. andrew320

    andrew320Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2012
    Threads:
    83
    Messages:
    422
    Likes Received:
    2
    Most of the time I make a shopping list. However, if I know I'm going to buy the same things I did a week prior, which is usually the case, I won't, but it doesn't affect about the grocery bill is. For anyone who thinks they overspend, a grocery list is an important thing to bring with you.
     
  20. ACSAPA

    ACSAPAWell-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2012
    Threads:
    52
    Messages:
    3,093
    Likes Received:
    240
    I always make a shopping list because when I don't ,I forget something important and realize I forgot to buy milk or bread. I feel foolish when I get home with a jar of kimchi or a bottle of sriracha but not something essential like milk. A list keeps my random , non-linear mind on track.