It takes some craftsmanship to create the perfect shopping list. A well-planned and organized list will say a lot about the outcome of your supermarket visit. Those who shop without a list have a tendency to make less responsible purchases and the search for various products can go on forever. The things you include on your shopping list should be entirely up to you and what you need for your pantry. However, no matter what products you need to buy, making a well-organized list before going to the grocery store will help you make the best choices.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Deciding What to Buy
Step 1. Keep an up-to-date list of "to buy" products
During your everyday life you should always have a list of "things to buy" hanging in a prominent place in your home. If you notice that you are finished or running out of something you need, write it down in the list. This way you won't have to go crazy to remember all the things you need to buy. Give yourself the maximum amount of time to plan and you'll have the best chance of remembering everything you need.
You can keep the list on the refrigerator door or on a bulletin board
Step 2. Decide in advance everything you need
Improvising the list once you're already out shopping will result in rushed purchases and poor choices. You should have a well thought-out list before you leave the front door. Check the pantry and write down what is running out. Keeping track of your groceries purchases will help you discover the less obvious things, but you can figure out much of what you need by taking a quick look at your supplies.
Recipes often call for several ingredients. It's a good idea to thoroughly review the recipes you plan to make before you go to the grocery store
Step 3. Consider the frequency of your purchases
Before you sit down to compile your list, you should take a second to think about how often you go to the supermarket. The frequency of purchases may depend on your location and the means of transport available to you. For some people, going to the supermarket can mean a big investment of time. If you go there infrequently, it's even more important to be prepared with a list. Conversely, if you go there several times a week, it won't be a big deal if you forget an item or two.
Unless you live next to a supermarket, you should still consider the distance between you and the store. Try to minimize travel to buy just one item - it's a huge waste of time. It is best to buy everything you need at one time
Step 4. Predict when you will run out of some products
If grocery shopping is already part of your regular routine, you probably plan your trips based on how often certain items run out at home. Having an early idea of when a certain product will be out of stock can help you plan your trips wisely. If you are careful you will never run out of stock because you will be able to gauge when you need to buy a product before it runs out.
It would be a huge effort to evaluate the replenishment time of each product in your home. Instead, just focus on some of the more important things that often run out, like toilet paper and coffee
Step 5. Look for shopping vouchers and special offers
Before you go shopping, you could organize the list based on which items are discounted in that particular week. If there is something you wouldn't normally buy but is currently selling for a very low price, it might be a good idea to change your shopping habits accordingly. On the other hand, if an item you buy usually has a heavily discounted price, you can take the opportunity and stock more than you normally would.
Step 6. Look at some pre-filled shopping lists for ideas
Online you can find numerous examples of product listings. Most people prefer to shop for groceries based on their preferences, but taking a look at a pre-filled shopping list can be helpful as you think about the things you might need. You may come across some products that you would never have thought of otherwise.
Part 2 of 3: Writing the List
Step 1. Organize the list like supermarket aisles
Most supermarkets organize their products by gender. As you write your shopping list, you should make an effort to group different things into homogeneous groups. Put all the vegetables in one section and do the same for toiletries and frozen foods. Grouping the various items on the list together will minimize the time spent wandering around the supermarket.
- Leave some space at the bottom of each group. It often happens that you remember something you need at the last minute, and it will be useful to have space to write it down.
- If you go to more than one shop, you should organize the list by shop, and "then" by aisle. Either way, you should strive to fit all your purchases into one shopping trip.
Step 2. Specify quantities where possible
Quantity is an important part of any shopping list. While certain quantities are sometimes omitted from a list, it's good to know in advance how much of each product you should buy. If you have no idea how fast an item sells out in your home, you don't need to be too specific.
Listing specific quantities is very important if you plan to make a recipe
Step 3. Keep the list balanced
Especially when buying food, it's a smart idea to keep your purchases as balanced as possible. Even if you are shopping with a specific product in mind, you will be more successful if you put a variety of products in your cart, such as dairy products, meat, cereals, perfumery items and more; you will feel that you have achieved more than if you simply went to purchase a single item.
Step 4. Value healthy choices
Part of the great thing about writing your grocery list in advance is that it allows you to make the healthiest choices. People who shop without a list are more inclined to buy on impulse. When planning your list, try to think about how each element will affect your life in the long run. Since it won't be directly in front of you tempting you, you'll be able to better judge which options are best for your life.
Step 5. Compare prices online
Depending on where you live, there may be several options where you could go shopping. Many of the major outlets, such as Coop or Esselunga, list many of their prices online. If you want to save some money, you should search online for the prices of some things you need. Especially keep an eye on the special offers that a particular store makes compared to its competition.
Some prices are set by the manufacturer. In these cases it doesn't matter where you buy the product
Step 6. Use an app
There are now apps to do just about everything, and shopping planning is no exception. Having a shopping list on your phone is a good idea because you can add items at any time. You won't even run the risk of losing it, plus most apps will automatically organize it to make it more efficient.
Step 7. Write a final version
Any information that you have jotted down for your shopping list could be disorganized like simple notes. Depending on the amount of things you need to buy, it may be worth taking the extra time to prepare a "final draft" of your list. Write the items more neatly and group them by gender. It might seem like a useless job, but you'll save a lot of time at the grocery store if your list is clear and organized correctly.
The organization process is further simplified if you use an app to help you make the list
Part 3 of 3: Maximizing the Journey to the Supermarket
Step 1. Organize shopping by aisle
Provided your list is well organized, you should be able to tell at a glance which items are featured in which aisles. Plan a methodical tour of the store. Go through the most important lanes first and make sure you put all the things you need in your cart before continuing. Try clearing one category of your shopping list at a time (for example: fresh vegetables).
Step 2. Avoid rush hour shopping
Shopping is easier if you go there when the supermarket isn't too crowded. The evening before closing is the perfect time, as is the morning on weekdays, when most people are busy working. Conversely, it is not recommended to shop on weekends or in the late afternoon - the supermarket will be busier and you will spend a lot of time in line.
Step 3. Use cloth shopping bags
Cloth shopping bags are useful if you want an even better shopping experience. You will save some money by not having to buy the shop bags, plus the cloth ones are more resistant. It's also an eco-friendly choice, so you'll feel good about yourself while shopping.
Step 4. Check the expiration dates
When shopping for groceries, you should make it a habit to check the expiration date. This is especially important for products that have a short shelf life, such as milk. If there are many pieces of a particular item available, look at them and choose the ones with the earliest expiration date.
Step 5. Keep an eye on special offers
You should always leave some room for improvisation on your shopping list. Special offers from a store are worth taking advantage of if they relate to products that you would have bought anyway. While you shouldn't just rely on what's on offer, taking advantage of these opportunities is a great way to save a few bucks.
Step 6. Take frozen foods last
If you want to shop very carefully, you should put frozen products in your cart just before you leave the store. These items, like ice cream, shouldn't be kept out of the freezer for too long unless you want to get your hands dirty. If you think it will take you a while to shop, try to get frozen foods last.
Advice
- Take a picture of your fridge before you go shopping. This way you won't forget what you need to buy.
- Making a grocery list becomes easier the more often you go shopping. Most of the products you buy will always be the same.
