Does making a list really work?

[midnight]

Does making a grocery list really work in cutting down your food bills? I must admit, even the thought of doing it doesn't sound appealing, but I'll give it a try if it really works. What is the best way to make the list? How much time do you spend making it?

[miclason]

It does help! specially if you do not "stray" from the list...I usually do mine listing items under categories (meats, dry goods, dairy products, cleaning products, veggies, "treats"). List all categories as columns on a page and post it on you refrigerator or pantry. Write the items you see that you need -or that you have some, but believe won't last too long - as the week progresses...on the day you go to the grocery store, just review it and see if you want to add something...that way, when you go to the store, you know what you are looking for, which reduces impulse buying...

[barbd00]

I made up a great shopping list:

one day when I had the free time I went shopping as usual. But I took note of where products were located by aisle.
Then I used my computer to write up a list aisle by aisle of what I usually buy.

Then I printed of several (you can get them copied cheaper at prineter shops though)
Before I shop and as I run out of things I just check them off.

I did this for a friend with the average prices too. I keep the prices in my head though

[DivaJen]

It works if you stick to your list, and do a little planning while making your list. Also, it helps keep you from making those random trips to the store for the one or two things you thought you had but didn't, etc.

[PrincessPerky]

I have found that it works best if I am willing to suffer for stuff I forgot on the list. Means I have to be more consistant on making the list. I kind of make it a teaching thing for me. Like a kid who forgot theire permission slip for homework, no feild trip will really encourage them to remember it next time. No potatoes when I am craving soup will really help me remember to write things down as I run out. One time I actually bought less than what was on the list, I was really intent on sticking to my 50$ limit.

[amomof4]

I can honestly say that making a list has saved my over $500 a month. I shop at a super walmart, & I just could not resist impulse buying. Now I have a list & I pretty much stick with it. I think I would save a lot more money if I just sat down & did meal planning.

[asrai]

I write stuff down as time goes on. When we do make a list. We don't always make one.

I need to clear some space off the fridge or get a white board/bulliten board for these things. They do save us a ton of money becuase I don't have to run back to the store for something I forgot (usually something DH uses and I don't so I never think of it and he tells me but it never sticks). And then I grab six other things I don't really need, but I was there ...

Working at the grocery store I spend so much more money beucase I see all these "REALLY GREAT DEALS." I need to switch to cash for groceries and when it's gone it's gone.

[cicy33]

For me lists do not work. I tend to shop what is on sale as much as what I normally buy. I don't buy cookies, potato chips and junk food anyway. The junk food at our house is Tortilla chips and velveet cheese with Rotel. We rarely keep candy in the house. I don't have a set menu every week and probably should get one! But usually I take my binder and focus on my coupons and the sales and try to get staples that make many dishes.

[momma4]

it helps us out alot. I am a major impulse buyer and keeping to my list with very little impulse buying keeps me to my budget. but I am having a problem setting up meals for the week and actually wanting to make them once I get it all home

[cicy33]

That is totally me! I never know what I am in the mood for. and hubby is no help! I am toying with the idea of creating a menu for one week. not necessarily sticking to each day but a weeks worth. we will see!

[tamip]

If you really want to save big on your grocery bill, making menus and shopping only from your list is invaluable! I make my menus 2-weeks at a time, and only shop twice a month as that is when we get paid. Some people can do it for a month at a time!!

Also, cooking from scratch and having a well-stocked pantry are tremendous for serious savings as well.

JMHO,

Tami

[marglo]

Yes it does if you stick to it

[EHadden]

My wife and I use a grocery list and it makes us stick to what we need. I created a listing that is one page long and has the usual 8 categories that we group our items into on it (meats, produce, freezer, household, etc.). We have found that when we need to go to the store, we print the list, fill it out and go shopping on payday.

[marglo]

Yes it does work. I have 2 lists...one we keep on the fridge where we write down things as we are running low or out. The other I create as I make my menu plans. That way I don't forget any ingredients I need for the food I plan to prepare. Then I combine the two lists and print it out. I check it against what I have in my pantry and fridge to make sure I don't buy something I already have and have forgotten about. Sometimes I have to edit and reprint after that, but then I am ready to hit the store. Since I buy mostly organic, I rarely use coupons but the list is really important to me. At the store I may buy a few things not on the list...things I think of that should be on the list or just something I pickup on impulse...but for the most part I stick to the list. I also note the prices down (just rounding to the nearest dollar) to make sure I don't go over the cash I have in my grocery envelope as I shop.

[Gailete]

We keep a list of things we are running low on and or have run out of (which especially helps when it is something like a spice you just ran out of but only buy once a year). I also will jot down errands I need to run when I get to use the truck. Then when I have a chance to go do errands and shopping, I only have to do a quick run through of the kitchen to see what I need and off I go. We are down to only one vehicle at the moment and with me frequently sick, I have to be able to do my errands on short notice, so a list really helps.

More than having a list, the thing that really helps a grocery budget is staying out of the paper goods aisle (use rags for paper towels, real dishes for paper plates, hankies for tissues--okay buy toilet paper though!), stay out of the cookie, candy, chips, and ice cream, soda pop aisles. At places like a super Walmart, you have to remind yourself what you are there for and stick to that list, otherwise you can always find something to buy that ends up in your grocery total.

Gail

[elcheapo]

I'm anal so it comes easy for me I get the weekly ads make my menus and hit the store. I only buy what is on the list so it works for me

[Lori63]

Making a list mostly helps me because it keeps me from having to go back to the store because I've forgotten something. We keep a running list on the fridge of what we are out of/low on and I buy stuff when it's on sale or I have a coupon.

[flash]

HUGE HUGE HUGE difference. I make a list of "needs", then check the store ads for sales. I cross check with coupons BEFORE I go and remove anything that isn't a necessity or a GREAT deal, then shop.

I DO bring my coupons with me for those unadvertised specials I would be kicking myself for, but if I don't have a coupon I usually pass things on NOT the list, unless they are GREAT sales.

The difference: we were NOT making lists this summer, and then started the process again in September. One store we shop at keep a "savings" tally, and it went from $5 total from Jan-Aug buing "just what we need" up to $1100 for Sept/Oct alone buying just what we need with a list/coupons. That doesn't include rebates and other stores where we are saving about that much.

[Gailete]

I accidently left my coupon envelope in my grocery cart about two weeks ago. Of course with the Thanksgiving holiday, there haven't been any new coupons out. Maybe this week. I only clip the ones that I know I can possibly use. I was trying to remember to grab my coupons and my list before I would head out. I tend to stick with buying the same stuff, so except for odd ball things (that generally end up on my list), I don't stray too far off of it.

Gail

[flash]

Very good point! That's actually one of the new things we are trying now, only cutting out the coupons that we will use, and sending the others off to anyone who wants them (so, I just HATE to waste them!). Savings tempt me more than the item itself some time! It's much more difficult to be tempted by a sale item that I DON'T need but have a coupon on....than by one I know I already decided I didn't need and didn't keep the coupon.