Let's look at a money-saving strategy that is simple yet super effective: using a shopping list. I know, I know—this might seem basic, but trust me, a well-thought-out shopping list can make a huge difference. It helps you avoid those tempting impulse buys and keeps you on track with your budget.
Let's take a look at 8 easy ways you can use a shopping list to save money on groceries, make the most of what you buy, and help you spend less time and energy on food shopping.
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Plan Your Meals
One of the best ways to ensure your shopping list is effective is to plan your meals for the week. By deciding what you’ll be cooking, you can list only the ingredients you need.
This helps me to avoid buying random items as I see them in the store, thinking that I may need them at some point but not really having a plan for when I will use them. When I fall into that trap, it leads to my pantry and fridge having items that will just sit there either because I overbought, or because I have some but not all of the ingredients needed to be able to actually cook a particular meal.
Categorize Your List
I’ve found that organizing my list by categories like produce, dairy, and frozen foods makes my shopping trip more efficient. Grouping similar items together means I don’t have to backtrack through the store, and I can avoid aisles that might tempt me with non-essential items.
Why put the time and effort into making a shopping list? Well, a well-thought-out list will help you avoid impulse buys, prevent you from buying duplicate items, and make it easier to stick to your budget!
Check Your Pantry
Before heading to the store, I always take a quick inventory of what I already have. I check if I already have staples like rice, pasta, or canned goods. It’s amazing how often I find that I already have what I need, which saves me money and reduces waste.
Pay particular attention to the more perishable foods. If I still have broccoli left over from last week, and it's still good, I make sure to plan for cooking it in the next day or two, and I make a note to not buy more right away.
Keep a Running List
Throughout the week, I add items to my list as I run out of them. This way, I don’t forget anything and avoid making extra trips to the store.
I keep a notepad or a whiteboard in the kitchen so I can jot down items as soon as I notice I’m running low. I also make sure it's in a prominent place, so that the rest of the family can easily do the same when they use up the last of the cereal or eat the last apple.
Looking to save money on meat? Check out these tips on the cheapest meat to buy (and which to skip!).
Use a Digital List
I love using grocery apps or even my phone’s notes app to keep my list handy. It’s convenient and always with me.
Apps like AnyList or Google Keep can help to create and organize a shopping list, and the added advantage is that you always have it with you.
Most recently I have started using Alexa's shopping list. It's super easy because we have an Echo show in the kitchen and I can just ask Alexa to add something to the list. The husband and kids love using that function too. Then, when I head to the store, I can just pull up the Alexa app on my phone to access the list.
Top Tip
If it's not on my shopping list, I don't buy it! It's a simple rule, but it's saved me lots of money over time
Include Quantities
Specifying the quantities I need helps me avoid overbuying.
Instead of just writing 'apples,' I note '6 apples' to ensure I buy exactly what I need for my recipes and snacks.
This also prevents me from getting myself into a jam later in the week from underbuying. For example, it wouldn't be good if I bought 1 can of tuna to use in a recipe for which it turns out I need 3 cans. Ugh!
Be Flexible with Brands
While I have certain preferences, I’m always open to choosing store brands or items on sale.
For example, if I have cereal on my list, I will take a look at whatever brand or type of cereal is on sale that week. Or I'll select the store brand if it is less expensive. This flexibility can lead to significant savings over time.
Stick to Your List
This one was huge for me! I started to see my weekly grocery spend drop once I got more disciplined about not buying items that were not on the list.
When I’m at the store, I focus only on the items I’ve written down. This helps me avoid those impulse buys that can quickly add up.
Using a shopping list is a pretty straightforward and simple way to save money and make your grocery shopping more efficient. By incorporating these tips into your routine, you'll start seeing the difference in your grocery bills.
More Ways To Save...
Here are more great tips and ideas to help you keep your grocery budget under control!
Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.
And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!
Happy saving!
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